By Felix Oketcho
In a strategic move aimed to broaden the bank’s impact, foster closer ties with farmers n and improve access to financial resource,DFCU Bank has launched DFCU Foundation in Mbarara District under the theme “A New Name, A Renewed Commitment.”
According to officials DFCU Foundation seeks a more inclusive and structured approach to empowering agribusinesses, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and farmer groups. While the ADC primarily focused on agricultural value chains, the dfcu Foundation will expand its mandate to include financial literacy, business mentorship, access to credit, and market linkages for farmers and agribusiness entrepreneurs across the country.
Kate K. Kiiza, Executive Director at dfcu Bank, underscored the Foundation’s pivotal role in developing Uganda’s agricultural sector.
“The launch of dfcu Foundation marks a new era of empowerment for Ugandan farmers,” Kiiza said. “Our goal is to ensure that every farmer, agribusiness owner, and rural entrepreneur has the knowledge, resources, and financial tools needed to succeed. We believe that by promoting agricultural growth, we strengthen Uganda’s economy and create long-term benefits and prosperity.”
Kiiza added that while agribusiness remains central, the dfcu Foundation will also prioritize enterprise development, financial literacy training, and sustainability initiatives. “This rebrand strengthens our purpose and amplifies our impact, aligning with dfcu’s long-term strategy for national transformation,” she said. “Additionally, through integrating financial empowerment, environmental governance, and enterprise development, we are strengthening our commitment to sustainable growth and economic progress.”
Mabel Ndawula, the Executive Director of the dfcu Foundation
Mabel Ndawula, Executive Director of the dfcu Foundation, expressed enthusiasm for the strategic shift.
“We are excited to launch dfcu Foundation; a strategic move designed to deepen our relationship with farmers and expand our impact,” Ndawula said. “This transition is not a departure from our commitment to agribusiness but rather an opportunity to increase our reach and add to our contribution to national development.”
Ndawula outlined ambitious goals for the new foundation. “At dfcu Foundation, our goal is to double the impact of past initiatives,” she stated. “Under the Agribusiness Development Centre, we already reached 59,000 beneficiaries, and over the next five years, we aim to impact 100,000 more. Of these, 60% will be women and 40% will be youth, with the focus given to Uganda’s youthful population, where approximately 77-78% are young people with high unemployment rates and limited job market absorption. dfcu sees farming and small business development as viable solutions for economic empowerment and job creation.”
Agriculture remains Uganda’s largest employer, accounting for over 70% of the population and contributing 24% to the national GDP. The sector is a key driver of rural livelihoods, food security, and national economic development. However, challenges such as limited access to credit, market volatility, and inadequate business skills continue to hinder farmers’ productivity and growth. The dfcu Foundation aims to bridge these gaps by providing tailored solutions to accelerate agricultural growth and financial inclusion.
Through the Foundation, farmers and agribusinesses will benefit from improved access to credit, enhanced market linkages, comprehensive training and capacity building, and technology-driven solutions.
The launch event in Mbarara gathered key stakeholders, including government representatives, farmer groups, and financial and agribusiness experts. The dfcu Foundation is set to roll out a series of engagement programs across Uganda, solidifying its commitment to empowering communities through sustainable agricultural development.
As of Dec. 31, 2024, the Agribusiness Development Centre (ADC) reported significant achievements in empowering agribusiness enterprises and farmers across Uganda, including:
- Supporting 1,281 enterprisesthrough debt financing and capacity-building programs.
- Enabling 490 enterprisesto benefit from acceleration programs designed to enhance growth and sustainability.
- Achieving a 52% women inclusion ratesince 2018, promoting gender equality in agribusiness.
- Reaching a total of 59,000 beneficiaries, positively impacting the sector.
- Facilitating $22 millionin business linkages, strengthening market access and trade opportunities.
- Connecting over 5,000 enterprisesto financial services, including credit and banking solutions, to drive business growth.