By Wadulo Arnold Mark
On May 10, 2026, dfcu Bank hosted the “Hope in Motion” Walk, successfully mobilizing funds that have already surpassed the initial target to refurbish critical sanitary facilities at the Mulago National Referral Hospital Sickle Cell Clinic. This initiative, marking the bank’s 62nd anniversary, transitioned from a standard corporate milestone into a major healthcare intervention aimed at supporting the 20,000 to 25,000 babies born with sickle cell disease annually in Uganda. The walk, which drew hundreds of participants to the streets of Kampala, focused on raising awareness, encouraging screening, and securing blood donations for “warriors” battling the condition.
The drive originated from the bank’s “60 Acts of Kindness” campaign in 2024, which revealed the silent struggle of staff and customers acting as caregivers. Helena Mayanja, Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at dfcu, explained that the initiative aims to break the silence surrounding the disease, stating, “It is something that is near and dear to so many people but it is so silent and secretive because there is a stigma around the disease”. This sustained support is specifically targeting the Mulago clinic, which serves over 200 patients daily—far exceeding its original design—making the bank’s commitment to improving patient dignity through better infrastructure a top priority.
Medical experts at the event highlighted both the biological toll and the path toward prevention. Dr. Philip Kasirye, a blood specialist, described the disease as a “nightmare” where crescent-shaped blood cells cause vessel blockages and organ damage. He emphasized that the “lowest hanging fruit” for long-term prevention is for young people to undergo testing and make “informed reproductive decisions” before starting families. Dr. Rosemary Byanyiima, Executive Director of Mulago Hospital, added that seeing a child in a sickle cell crisis is “really really traumatic” for families, and urged for more blood donations since the disease “consumes a lot of blood products”.
The initiative earned high praise from the government for its corporate leadership. Hon. David Bahati, Minister of State for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, commended dfcu Bank for identifying a disease that is often “not paid the attention it deserves”. He pledged that the government would pay closer attention to supporting sickle cell infrastructure and noted that the bank’s efforts represented a powerful act of community service. Beyond the immediate goal of refurbishing restrooms, Dr. Byanyiima challenged partners to look toward a future multi-story facility dedicated to sickle cell care, ensuring that the hope put in motion by dfcu Bank continues to grow.
