Hundreds of residents turned up for free medical screening and treatment services during the health camp in Walukuba-Masese Division, Jinja City
Jinja — dfcu Bank, in partnership with Rotary Uganda and the Busoga Kingdom, on April 14 organized a major community medical camp in Walukuba-Masese Division, Jinja City, as part of the bank’s 62nd anniversary celebrations aimed at improving access to healthcare services in underserved communities.
The dfcu-Rotary Uganda Health Camp attracted hundreds of residents who turned up for free medical services including sickle cell screening, cancer testing, dental care, eye care, and general health consultations.
Speaking at the event, dfcu Executive Director, Kate Kiiza, said the medical outreach reflects the bank’s broader commitment to transforming lives beyond financial services.
Together with Rotary, the bank has put aside Ugx1bn for the medical 17 camps to be organized across the country.
“Today’s camp at Walukuba here in Jinja is part of the many camps we hope to organize and impact communities positively,” said Kiiza.
She revealed that additional camps will be held in areas including Abim, Gulu and others as the bank extends healthcare outreach to communities where it operates.
“Together we go far,” she said.
Kiiza noted that healthcare access remains a major challenge affecting livelihoods and economic productivity across Uganda.
“We know that healthcare and disease prevention affects lives in the country. And that without disease prevention would affect productivity. We expect to attend to 2000 people for this particular camp in Jinja,” she said.
She added that the bank intentionally partnered with health stakeholders to deliver essential services directly to communities struggling with access to affordable healthcare.
“The medical personnel attended to people through sickle cell testing, cancer testing, dental and eye care, and general medical inquiries. We are very intentional to bring these services to the people,” Kiiza said.
Commenting on dfcu’s 62-year journey, Kiiza said the milestone demonstrates the bank’s long-standing commitment to national development.
“It is a critical point that cements the bank’s mantra of transforming businesses and the economy in general. We have remained focused through financing businesses, enabling home ownership and asset acquisition,” she said.
Uganda continues to face major healthcare access challenges, especially among low-income and rural communities where many families struggle to afford treatment, medicines, and transport to health facilities.
According to the World Health Organization, Uganda’s maternal mortality rate remains at 189 deaths per 100,000 live births, while the under-five mortality rate stands at 52 deaths per 1,000 live births. Health spending also remains low, with total expenditure on healthcare estimated at just $57 per person annually.
Representing the Busoga Kingdom, Deputy Katukiiro Alhaji Osman Ahmed Noor welcomed the initiative, describing it as timely support toward improving the wellbeing of communities in the sub-region.
“Today is a big day. As the kingdom we encourage our people in Busoga to come and make checkups for the best of our kingdom and Uganda. For over 6 decades dfcu has affirmed that it is not about caring bank accounts but lives. This event is good for reducing the health burden on our people,” Noor said.
He added that the Kyabazinga strongly supports initiatives that promote healthy communities and early disease detection.
“Kyabazinga believes life is better than everything. A healthy, productive health population. Early testing saves lives. Health begins at home. Eating a balanced meal and exercising is key for household growth and Uganda’s general transformation,” he said.
Noor also called upon institutions and development partners to support interventions addressing teenage pregnancy in the Busoga sub-region.
“We know that the government cannot do it alone and therefore having dfcu partner with The Busoga Kingdom (Obwakyabazinga bwa Busoga) is a welcome move. We are happy you (dfcu) come to make a difference. We are happy this medical camp will make the lives of Basoga better so they be part of the Kingdom’s agenda for economic transformation,” he added.
Rotary District 9213 Governor for the 2025-2026 Rotary year, Joseph Kitakule, applauded both dfcu and the Busoga Kingdom for prioritizing community health through partnerships.
Kitakule said Rotary remains committed to supporting activities that improve lives and accelerate social and economic development.
“Health and economic transformation are interlinked and thus having medical camps of this nature would aid in realization of this goal,” he said.
“As rotary we commit to continue engaging in these camps and related activities so we can reduce the burden on the people who need to attend to other pressing daily needs,” Kitakule added.
The health camp formed the flagship community activity during dfcu’s anniversary celebrations in Eastern Uganda and underscored growing collaboration between the private sector, cultural institutions, and humanitarian organizations in addressing healthcare gaps affecting vulnerable communities.
