By Nathan Eyagu 

KAMPALA - dfcu Bank, in partnership with Monitor Publications Limited, has officially launched Season 7 of the dfcu Rising Woman Initiative, a national campaign aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs with the knowledge, networks, and resources they need to thrive, during a high-profile event held at Mestil Hotel in Kampala on Tuesday, April 29, 2025.

Now in its seventh year, the initiative has directly impacted over 60,000 women and reached more than one million virtually since its inception in 2018, cementing its place as one of Uganda’s most influential platforms for supporting women-led businesses.

Delivering the keynote speech, Dr. Victoria Sekitoleko, former Minister of Agriculture and celebrated leadership mentor, reflected on her personal journey and highlighted the importance of creating opportunities for women, praising the Rising Woman Initiative for recognizing women as central drivers of Uganda’s economic transformation and encouraging participants to invest in themselves and one another.

Winnie Awino, a partner at S&L Advocates, shared insights on how women entrepreneurs can safeguard their business legacies through sound legal structures and future-proofing strategies for both personal and business assets, during a session attended by over 100 businesswomen.

Dr. Gudula Naiga Basaza, Chairperson of the dfcu Women Business Advisory Council, emphasized dfcu Bank’s long-standing commitment to women’s economic empowerment, recalling its pioneering role in launching Uganda’s first women-focused banking product in 2007 through the Women in Business (WiB) Program, which has since evolved into a robust ecosystem offering tailored financial solutions, business training, legal and leadership coaching, mentorship, business linkages, and media profiling.

Doreen Atuheire, Head of Women in Business at dfcu Bank, revealed that this year’s campaign is more ambitious than ever, featuring about five regional trainings, a nationwide business proposal competition with UGX 30 million in prize money, a Rising Woman Expo, an awards gala, and an all-expenses-paid mentorship trip for selected participants, underscoring dfcu’s belief in women’s ambition, resilience, and leadership.

Flavia Tumusiime Kabuura, Head of Broadcasting at Nation Media Group, reiterated the media house’s dedication to promoting the socioeconomic growth of women through increased visibility, media profiling, and partnerships that help women grow their networks, income, and business impact.

With the launch of Season 7, dfcu Rising Woman continues to be a powerful force driving inclusive economic development and empowering Ugandan women to rise and lead.