dfcu officials in a group photo at the unveiling of the inaugural Report to Society 2025Serena Kigo, overlooking the tranquil waters of Lake Victoria, offered a fitting setting for dfcu Bank’s inaugural Report to Society 2025, unveiled on October 27. The surroundings reflected the environmental responsibility at the heart of the gathering, with glass water bottles used instead of plastic, reinforcing the importance of practical choices in protecting the environment.Against this backdrop, dfcu Bank presented an account of its contribution to Uganda’s economic and social development, detailing how its financial services, enterprise development programmes and community partnerships have supported businesses, women entrepreneurs, healthcare and environmental conservation.The report, launched at Serena Hotel Kigo in Kampala, is more than a record of activities. It is an attempt by the financial institution to measure its performance against a broader responsibility: how effectively it translates banking into opportunities for people, businesses and communities.For an institution that has operated in Uganda since 1964, the publication also signals a shift towards making societal contribution more visible, measurable and open to public scrutiny.Accountability MattersDr. Winifred Mary Tarinyeba Kiryabwire, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of dfcu Bank Limited, said the report was an important step towards strengthening accountability.“For more than six decades, dfcu has been part of Uganda’s economic transformation, supporting businesses, expanding financial inclusion and creating opportunities for individuals and communities. We recognise that our responsibility extends beyond financial performance to the contribution we make to the society that sustains our business. Our inaugural Report to Society brings that responsibility into focus. It documents the impact of our work while reinforcing the importance of sound governance, transparent reporting and responsible decision-making,” she said.Financing Businesses: 6,527 SMEsOne of the report’s key indicators is dfcu Bank’s financing of 6,527 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in 2025. The figure highlights the bank’s role in supporting businesses where access to appropriate financing can determine whether enterprises expand, employ more people or remain constrained.However, access to finance alone may not be sufficient. Businesses also require technical skills, market connections and partnerships.That is where dfcu Foundation comes in. Its transition from a Business Development Centre to dfcu Foundation in 2024 strengthened its focus on enterprise development, financial inclusion and sustainable economic growth.Dr. James Ssemwanga, Chairperson of dfcu Foundation, said the Foundation concentrated on businesses in the “missing middle” – enterprises that had progressed beyond survival but still required support to scale.“Uganda’s economic growth depends not only on helping businesses start, but also on enabling promising enterprises to become stronger, more productive and more resilient. Many businesses have the potential to grow, create jobs and support wider value chains, yet they need more than capital alone,” he said.“Since 2018, dfcu Foundation has supported more than 4,000 enterprises and reached over 80,000 beneficiaries, the majority of whom are women and young people. In 2025, we facilitated approximately UGX38 billion in credit. Our ambition for 2025-2030 is to support more than 100,000 additional beneficiaries,” he explained.The report cited UGX38.08 billion in financing facilitated through dfcu Foundation.Women in Business: 80,000 EntrepreneursWomen’s entrepreneurship is another prominent component. The Bank’s Women in Business programme has supported more than 80,000 women entrepreneurs, reflecting its efforts to widen women’s participation in economic activity.The programme aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5 on gender equality, SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth, and SDG 10 on reduced inequalities.Healthcare Access: 25,000 UgandansThe report also records community health interventions that reached more than 25,000 Ugandans.Through a three-year partnership with Rotary Uganda, dfcu Bank committed UGX1 billion to expand access to preventive healthcare through community medical camps.The camps provide free outpatient consultations, diagnostic tests, medicines, dental and eye care, health education and referrals. They also screen for hypertension, diabetes, HIV, cancer and sickle cell disease.Recent outreaches have included Jinja, Mbuya, Mutungo, Kasenyi Landing Site and Kamwokya.Protecting the Environment: 62,000 TreesEnvironmental stewardship formed another part of the report, with 62,000 trees planted or distributed in 2025.Jimmy D. Mugerwa, Chairman of the Board of Directors of dfcu Limited, the holding company of dfcu Bank, framed sustainability as an obligation to future generations rather than a compliance exercise.“Are the decisions being made today leaving a future for our children? If not, then these reports won’t matter. Sustainability is not a compliance exercise; it is more about the future we’re building for our children. We want to plant 5,000 trees, medical camps and more,” Mugerwa said.The initiative aligns with SDG 13 on climate action and SDG 15 on life on land.Beyond Financial ResultsMugerwa said the report represented an important milestone in the Group’s ambition to combine financial performance with responsible corporate citizenship.“As the holding company, dfcu Limited provides strategic direction and oversight to the Group, with a responsibility to create sustainable value for our shareholders while contributing meaningfully to Uganda’s development. This report demonstrates how the work of dfcu Bank and dfcu Foundation has translated that responsibility into practical initiatives,” he said.Helena Mayanja, Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at dfcu Bank Limited, said the report brought the different dimensions of the Bank’s contribution together.“The purpose of this report is to show what happens when finance opens doors, enables businesses to grow and creates opportunities that extend beyond the immediate customer relationship. Behind every figure are people, enterprises and communities whose progress matters,” she said.The report provides a foundation for tracking these commitments more systematically. Its credibility will depend not only on the number of enterprises financed, beneficiaries reached or trees planted, but also on the clarity of its measurement methods and evidence of sustained outcomes.The post Beyond Profits: Inside dfcu’s Impact Scorecard – 6,527 SMEs Financed, 80,000 Women Empowered, 62,000 Trees Planted appeared first on Business Focus.