By Helena Mayanja
There are moments in life when you pause and realise you are part of something bigger than yourself. For me, one such moment came on Saturday, 30th August, when dfcu Bank opened its headquarters to history; the launch of Uganda’s first corporate Rotary Club, the Rotary Club of Kampala Blue Hearts.
On paper, it was a ceremony. In reality, it was a shift, a reminder that businesses can, and should, be more than financial institutions.
Why Rotary, Why Now?
At first glance, it may sound unusual: a bank teaming up with Rotary. But when you dig deeper, the fit is almost seamless. Rotary has always stood for “Service Above Self”. At dfcu Bank, our purpose is clear: Transforming lives and businesses in Uganda. Together, these values converge into a shared conviction—that true progress cannot be measured only in profits or percentages. It must also be reflected in healthier communities, educated children, thriving small enterprises, and empowered families.
This conviction is why we pledged UGX 1 billion to Rotary’s health initiatives over the next three years. Not as charity, but as an investment in Uganda’s most valuable resource—its people.
Companies Rise or Fall on How Well They Renew Their LeadersBeyond Balance Sheets
I often ask myself: what does it really mean for a business to succeed? In today’s world of Sustainability principles, success cannot be confined to numbers on a balance sheet. It must include the footprints we leave in communities, the opportunities we create, and the dignity we help restore.
The mobile medical camps we’re funding are not just events; they are lifelines. Imagine a mother in a rural area who gets screened for cervical cancer early enough to save her life. Or a father learning he has diabetes before it silently claims his health. Or a child whose eyesight is corrected, opening the door to better learning. That’s impact. That’s transformation. And for me personally, this journey carries another dimension: raising awareness about sickle cell anemia. It is a condition that too often remains in the shadows yet affects countless Ugandans. That is why dfcu, together with Rotary, will ensure that sickle cell screening and education are a central focus of our medical camps, which will take place twice a year across the country. Because awareness can save lives, and knowledge can restore hope.
Walking the Talk
What excites me most is that the Rotary Club of Kampala Blue Hearts is already making a difference. From the solar installation in Luwero that brightened a school in 2023, to the medical camps already touching lives, the results are visible, tangible, and deeply human.
We are proving that when corporates take the Rotary way, we create ripples that extend far beyond quarterly reports into the lives of real people.
A Call to Others
This is not just about dfcu. It’s about reimagining what corporate leadership looks like in Uganda. We cannot afford to see ourselves only as banks, telecoms, manufacturers, or NGOs. We must see ourselves as citizens first; citizens with the privilege and responsibility to serve.
To my fellow corporates: let us go the Rotary way. Let us lead with service, build with purpose, and measure our success not just by what we keep, but by what we give.
Because at the end of the day, it is not the size of our profits that will define us, but the size of our impact. Together, let us build a healthier, more prosperous Uganda.
The Writer is Helena Mayanja, Head – Corporate Affairs & Sustainability, dfcu Bank.
