Charles Mudiwa, Chief Executive Officer of dfcu Bank, speaking at the launch of the Rotary Club of Kampala–Blue Hearts
Charles Mudiwa, Chief Executive Officer of dfcu Bank, used the August 30 launch of the Rotary Club of Kampala–Blue Hearts at dfcu’s Head Offices in Nakasero to spotlight maternal health as a national priority and to position vocational education as the engine of lasting change in Ugandan communities.
Similar views citing the urgent need to close gaps along the maternal care pathway linger, where 91% of births in Uganda now occur in health facilities and 93% are attended by skilled providers, too many mothers still fall through the cracks after delivery, with only 66% receiving postnatal care within two days—an interval that can determine survival.
Experts have underscored that Uganda’s maternal mortality ratio, though improved, remains 189 deaths per 100,000 live births for the 2015–2022 period, calling it an unacceptable burden that demands practical, community-grounded solutions.
“Rotary is not a departure lounge. When you come in, you do not leave. It is a place for service-minded people,” Mudiwa told the newly chartered members as he urged the club’s leadership to place maternal health at the center of their service agenda—an area he said “touches his heart.”
He linked that focus to a broader push on skills: “Education today is not about university degrees; it is about skills development around communities. How many good plumbers have you come across?” he asked, arguing that vocational training expands livelihoods, strengthens household incomes, and—by extension—improves the conditions that keep mothers and newborns alive.
The event marked a first for Rotary in Uganda, with dfcu unveiling the country’s inaugural institution-based corporate Rotary club and formalizing a Shs 1 billion commitment over three years to Rotary Uganda’s health initiatives.
The sponsorship will underwrite mobile health camps that bring services closer to underserved communities—general consultations, maternal and child health, immunization support, screening for non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, cancer screenings (breast, cervical, and prostate), eye and dental care, family planning, HIV testing and counselling, nutrition counselling, and a special focus on sickle cell anaemia. Mudiwa called it “a historic day” that both launches the Rotary Club of Kampala–Blue Hearts and cements a partnership aligned with dfcu’s pillars—financial inclusion, women in business, education, and health—“to transform lives and businesses in Uganda.
Presided over by past District Governor Xavier Ssentamu, who inducted dfcu staff and emphasized service with integrity, the Charter Ceremony also heard from Club Advisor Shem Nnaggenda, who hailed the club as a milestone for Rotary’s growth and described dfcu’s sponsorship as one of the largest single endowments to a Rotary programme in Uganda—support that will significantly scale outreach and save more lives.
For Mudiwa, the path forward is clear: deepen Rotary–dfcu collaboration, keep maternal health front and center, and invest in vocational education so communities have the skills and income that make good health possible.
“The purpose of dfcu is to transform lives,” he said. “This partnership isn’t just about doing good for today; it’s about making an impact, creating change, and shaping a better future for our country.”
