dfcu Foundation Launched in Mbarara to Empower Farmers and Boost Agribusiness

Mbarara – dfcu Bank has officially launched the dfcu Foundation, a strategic rebrand of the former Agribusiness Development Centre (ADC), under the theme “A New Name, A Renewed Commitment.” The move signals a broader national focus on empowering Uganda’s agriculture sector, small businesses, and rural communities.

Unveiled in Mbarara District, the rebrand reaffirms dfcu Bank’s mission of “Transforming Lives and Businesses in Uganda” by extending beyond the ADC’s focus on agricultural value chains. The new Foundation will offer a wider range of services, including financial literacy, business mentorship, access to credit, market linkages, and enterprise development across the country.

“This launch marks a new era of empowerment for Ugandan farmers,” said Kate K Kiiza, dfcu Bank Executive Director. “We aim to equip every farmer and agribusiness owner with the tools they need to succeed. Promoting agricultural growth strengthens our economy and builds lasting prosperity.”

She emphasised that the Foundation will maintain agribusiness as a core priority while expanding its reach into financial education and sustainability efforts aligned with dfcu’s long-term transformation strategy.

Mabel Ndawula, Executive Director of the dfcu Foundation, highlighted the Foundation’s vision to double its previous impact. “Through the ADC, we reached 59,000 beneficiaries. Now, we aim to reach 100,000 more in the next five years, with 60% being women and 40% youth,” she said. “This is our response to Uganda’s youthful population and high unemployment rates—farming and entrepreneurship can be engines of economic empowerment.”

The Foundation builds on a strong track record. As of December 2024, ADC had supported 1,281 enterprises with financing and capacity building, enabled 490 enterprises to join acceleration programmes, achieved 52% women inclusion since 2018, reached 59,000 total beneficiaries, facilitated $22 million in business linkages and connected over 5,000 enterprises to financial services.

Agriculture employs over 70% of Uganda’s population and contributes 24% to GDP, yet many farmers still face challenges in accessing credit, stable markets, and essential skills. The dfcu Foundation aims to bridge these gaps through tailored, scalable solutions focused on long-term impact.

The Mbarara launch brought together government officials, farmer groups, and private sector stakeholders, underscoring the shared national commitment to agricultural transformation.

In the coming months, the dfcu Foundation will roll out engagement programs across Uganda to support sustainable farming, youth-led enterprises, and financial inclusion at the grassroots level.