VisionFund Uganda (VFU), a leading Christian Microfinance Institution, on Friday, 3rd October 2025, commissioned its new head office premises and 26th branch, located at Plot 45 Kiira Road in Kamwokya, a move that underlines its continued expansion strategy and increasing branch presence in Kampala and across the Country. The commissioning was presided over by Ms. Edith Namugga Tusubira, the Ag. Commissioner-Microfinance Regulation Department at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFED), and attended by board members, senior leadership, church leaders, partners, regulators, and community representatives.
The day was under the theme, “The Light of the World,” reflecting VisionFund’s mission-driven spirit.
Speaking during the new Head office commissioning ceremony at Golden Tulip Hotel in Nakasero, Mrs Mercy Sande Ainomugisha, the CEO of VisionFund Uganda, acknowledged the support of board members past and present, thanking them for steering the institution through phases of transformation and growth. Particular appreciation was extended to former Chairs Dr. Constant Otieno Mayende and Ms. Sarah Byabazaire, outgoing Chair Frederick Mwesigye, and incoming Board Chair Dr. Fred Atwooki Muhumuza.
In the same breath, she extended her gratitude to the shareholders, represented by VisionFund International’s Mr Chilala Hakooma, Regional Director for Africa 2, and World Vision Uganda’s Mr Jeremaiah Nyagah, National Director, for their great vision, continued guidance, and steadfast leadership in steering the organisation forward.
She said, ‘’At VisionFund Uganda, we believe that empowering women is the surest way to secure the brighter futures of children. Our mission goes beyond providing financial services; it is about transforming lives and creating a lasting impact. We strive to ensure that families we serve can educate their children, access clean water, healthcare, and protection from violence, while sustaining their livelihoods. This commitment to holistic change drives everything we do, especially in reaching Uganda’s most vulnerable communities.
The CEO further recognised partner organisations, including FSDU, ADA, aBi Finance, UNHCR, Mercy Corps and others, emphasising that VisionFund’s impact of serving approximately 80,000 clients, including 95% in rural areas with 63% women, and benefitting close to 400,000 children, would not have been possible without strong partnerships.
Ms. Edith Namugga Tusubira, the Ag. Commissioner-Microfinance Regulation Department at MoFED and Guest of Honour, said, ‘’Over the past seven years, I have had the privilege of closely working with VisionFund Uganda in my capacity as a regulator, observing the institution’s growth and commitment to ethical financial practices. In an industry where compliance challenges are common, VisionFund Uganda stands out for maintaining a flawless record, free from any complaints related to non-compliance, overcharging, or misconduct. This remarkable achievement speaks volumes about the integrity and diligence of the Board, Management, and Staff, whose efforts have ensured consistency, transparency, and accountability.
‘’VisionFund Uganda’s planned transition to Tier III status is both timely and commendable. Your 29 years of service and countrywide reach through 26 branches exemplify ethical growth and impact. I extend my appreciation to World Vision International for its continued partnership, which aligns seamlessly with Uganda’s Financial Inclusion Strategy. Together, you are illuminating a path of hope and opportunity for vulnerable communities across Uganda, she concluded.
Dr Fred Atwooki Muhumuza, the incoming Board Chair for VisionFund Uganda, said, ‘’Our vision remains clear: to enable children to live in all its fullness through financial inclusion. We are not just in the business of lending money, but we transform lives. Every action we take must reflect that purpose. By 2028, our target is to reach Tier 3 status, a milestone that should be achieved through great teamwork, innovation, and strong partnerships. At the core of this journey is our dedication to digital transformation and working with key stakeholders such as FSDU. For instance, mobile money started as an innovative way to solve the problem of collecting small loans, which began with a £150,000 grant from DFID to a Kenyan NGO, and has since transformed global finance. That is the power of innovation, the spirit we must continue to embrace moving forward.
In 2019, VisionFund Uganda took a bold step by pioneering refugee microfinance, a venture once considered too risky. With the support of UNHCR, the Office of the Prime Minister, and other development partners, the organisation opened its first branches in Moyo and Yumbe districts, and later expanded to Lamwo district in Northern Uganda.
Pearl Bank Celebrates Customers in Festive Campaign Dubbed Pearl SantaVisionFund Uganda’s product suite includes business loans, agriculture loans, education loans, asset financing, Savings Group Linkage loans, and micro-health insurance embedded with financial literacy. The institution positions itself not simply as a lender, but as a development actor that tracks impact beyond financial inclusion. The organisation’s major impact framework focuses on mobilising communities, scaling resilience, and linking financial inclusion to holistic development outcomes.
Kamwokya, one of Kampala’s densely populated neighbourhoods, is a significant location for VisionFund Uganda’s MSE strategy. While the organisation has historically maintained a strong reach in rural areas, this branch launch signifies a more mixed-geography approach, bringing microfinance access closer to urban communities, small-scale enterprises, and informal-sector operators who may face financial exclusion. The move from Kavule to Kamwokya is a shift to a more visible space. While Kavule remains part of VisionFund Uganda’s identity, Kamwokya will offer increased accessibility and proximity to dynamic customer segments.
Before Kamwokya, VisionFund had recently opened in the city centre, City Branch, bringing the total to 25 branches and seven field offices. This expansion, which served areas across the CBD, was heralded as a milestone in the organisation’s MSE outreach.
World Vision and VisionFund have refreshed their brand mantra to underscore a renewed commitment to Bold, Innovative Financial Inclusion. This refresh marks a significant step in aligning both organisations under a shared vision of hope, transformation, and sustainable impact.
For both World Vision and VisionFund, the colour orange carries deep meaning—it symbolises hope. Within World Vision’s humanitarian and development work, orange represents Bold Hope, and for VisionFund, this hope is expressed through its financial services ministry as Bold, Innovative Financial Inclusion—a reflection of its drive to deliver transformative financial solutions that empower families, strengthen livelihoods, and build resilience among the most vulnerable. Through this refreshed brand identity, both organisations reaffirm their shared mission to create brighter futures for children and communities by combining faith, innovation, and financial empowerment.
VisionFund Uganda began operations as MEDNET in 1996 and rebranded in 2012. Over the years, it has grown its branch network across various regions in Uganda, with 26 branches now established.
Uganda’s microfinance sector is evolving rapidly. The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, formerly Uganda Microfinance Regulatory Authority (UMRA), which regulates Microfinance Institutions, has emphasised disciplined compliance. In earlier branch openings, UMRA officials commended VisionFund Uganda for its clean compliance record, contrasting it with practices in less-regulated segments of the sector.
Additionally, demand is shifting as many Ugandans are turning from formal banks to MFIs, drawn by accessible services and localised reach.
