On the heels of International Sickle Cell Awareness Day (June 19), dfcu Bank handed over upgraded sanitation facilities and enhanced patient waiting areas at Mulago National Referral Hospital’s Sickle Cell Clinic, capping a multi-year journey of awareness, advocacy, and tangible support for Ugandans living with this debilitating genetic condition.
The handover comes at the culmination of dfcu Bank’s recent Sickle Cell Walk and a series of community health camps, underscoring the bank’s evolving role from raising awareness to delivering concrete improvements in patient dignity and care.
Uganda bears one of the world’s heaviest burdens of Sickle cell disease (SCD), ranking fifth globally. Approximately 13–15% of Ugandans carry the sickle cell trait, translating to roughly 6–8 million healthy carriers. Each year, an estimated 20,000–25,000 babies are born with the full disease, with up to 70–80% of affected children dying before their fifth birthday without proper intervention. In high-prevalence regions such as Busoga, Acholi, and Lango, carrier rates can reach 20–25%. Myths, stigma, and limited access to specialized care continue to compound the suffering.
dfcu Bank’s commitment to sickle cell advocacy began in 2024 as an employee-driven initiative under the bank’s 60th anniversary “60 Acts of Kindness” campaign. What started internally, with staff members visiting and making donations to the Mulago Sickel Cell, quickly grew into a broader institutional commitment.
Over the past two years, dfcu has supported nationwide awareness campaigns, community outreaches, and health camps, with a particular focus on high-burden areas like Busoga and Jinja. These efforts have emphasized early testing, genetic counselling, and the importance of informed reproductive choices to break the cycle of transmission.
Speaking at the handover, Charles Mudiwa, dfcu Bank CEO, reflected on this progression: “We cannot be a profitable and successful bank if the health of the nation is compromised. We need a healthy nation first to build a healthy organisation. Our journey began with internal awareness and acts of kindness. Today, we are delivering infrastructure that improves daily patient experiences and signals our long-term dedication to building a Centre of Excellence for sickle cell care in Uganda.”
The upgraded facilities, including modern sanitation units and better waiting areas, directly address a critical need at Mulago’s busy Sickle Cell Clinic, which serves approximately 200 patients daily. Proper sanitation and hydration are especially vital for sickle cell patients, who are highly susceptible to infections and complications.
Dr. Rosemary Kusaba Byanyima, Executive Director of Mulago National Referral Hospital, welcomed the support: “For patients living with sickle cell, a place of convenience is not a small gesture, it is great. These improvements enhance dignity and support our model of outpatient and daycare care, reducing unnecessary admissions while preserving capacity for the most critical cases.”
Dr. Philip Kasirye, Consultant Pediatrician and Hematologist, reinforced the need for continued collaboration: “Sickle cell is not contagious, and having it is not a crime. There is hope. We must replace stigma with empathy and ensure access to quality care, early testing, and Hydroxyurea. Partnerships like the one we have with dfcu Bank are essential in complementing government efforts to create awareness and treatment of sickle cell disease.”
The facility handover marks another milestone in dfcu Bank’s progressive intervention. From employee-led awareness in 2024 to community campaigns and now infrastructure investment, the bank is shifting from conversation to sustainable solutions.
As one of Uganda’s leading commercial banks, dfcu Bank remains committed to driving financial inclusion, sustainable growth, and meaningful social impact across the country, and their leadership in tackling sickle cell and raising awareness about it shows exactly that.
