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Guests at the launch of Rising the Woman Initiative
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By Bruno Mugizi
Kampala
Dfcu Bank, in partnership with Monitor Publications Limited, has officially launched Season 7 of the dfcu Rising Woman Initiative—a national campaign dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs with the knowledge, networks, and resources they need to thrive.
The 2025 edition, unveiled at Mestil Hotel in Kampala, builds on the initiative's legacy of uplifting over 60,000 women in person and reaching more than one million virtually since 2018. The campaign remains one of Uganda's most influential platforms for women-led business transformation.
Dr. Victoria Ssekitoleko addressing participants during the launch of Rising Woman Initiative at Mestil Hotel
Speaking as the chief guest at the launch, Dr. Victoria Ssekitoleko, former Minister of Agriculture and renowned leadership mentor, reflected on the power of opportunity:
"I was born at a time when society had clear and often limiting expectations for the girl child. Fortunately, I had parents who believed in the power of education—even for a girl. Because of them, I built skills, confidence, and a voice that carried me from a family farm to national and global leadership," she shared.
Addressing participants at the same event, Winnie Awino, a partner at S&L Advocates, underscored the importance of safeguarding business legacies. She shared practical strategies with over 100 businesswomen in attendance, covering topics such as legal structures for business growth and future-proofing personal and business estates. Awino encouraged participants to take deliberate steps to secure both their personal and business assets.
Dr. Gidura Naiga Baraza, Chairperson of the dfcu Women Business Advisory Council, emphasized the institution's longstanding commitment to women:
"Women are the backbone of Uganda. They are nurturers of families, transformers of communities, and key drivers of economic growth. From market stalls to corporate boardrooms, their impact is profound. Dfcu Rising Woman exists to amplify their stories," she said.
She highlighted how dfcu became Uganda's first bank to offer a women-focused banking proposition in 2007 through its Women in Business (WiB) program—long before gender-lens investing became a global trend. The program has since evolved into a dynamic ecosystem offering business training and advisory services, legal and leadership coaching, tailored financial solutions, media profiling, and mentorship.
According to Doreen Atuheire, Head of Women in Business at dfcu Bank, this year's campaign is more ambitious and impact-driven than ever. It will feature five regional trainings, the Rising Woman Expo, an awards gala, and a business proposal competition with UGX 30 million in prize money.
"We are not just funding businesses—we are investing in ambition, resilience, and leadership. To every woman who dares to dream and build, dfcu believes in you," she affirmed.
Flavia Tumusiime Kabuura, Head of Broadcasting at Nation Media Group (NMG), reiterated the company’s commitment to advancing the socio-economic growth of women through its programming partnerships. She also emphasized the vital role media plays in profiling and increasing the visibility of women entrepreneurs:
"This initiative allows women to grow their networks and reach bigger markets, which boosts their income and scales their businesses," she concluded.
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