By By Business Express Reporter | August 21, 2025
When Sarah, a smallholder farmer from Gulu, received her first loan through dfcu Bank’s Women in Business (WiB) Program, she didn’t just buy new seeds—she built a future. Today, her farm supplies local schools and employs three young people from her community. Sarah’s story is one of thousands across Uganda, where women entrepreneurs are slowly rewriting the script of economic empowerment.
Yet, it hasn’t been an easy journey. For decades, women in Uganda faced barriers that kept their businesses small: little access to credit, limited training, and exclusion from networks that could help them grow. In 2007, dfcu Bank decided to change that by launching the Women in Business Program, the first of its kind in the country.
Since then, WiB has touched the lives of more than 70,000 women, from Kampala’s shop owners to northern Uganda’s farmers, from healthcare providers to teachers running private schools.
A Program Designed for Women, by Women
Doreen Atuheire, the Head of Women in Business at dfcu Bank, explains the heart of the program:
“Our goal was to create an ecosystem where women-led businesses not only survive but thrive. We wanted to give them what they had long been denied—financing, mentorship, training, and a sense of belonging.”
WiB goes beyond loans. It offers women tailored financial services and mentorship, meeting them where they are—whether starting a small roadside stall or running a fast-growing manufacturing company.
Rising Woman: Giving Women a Stage
In 2018, dfcu introduced the Rising Woman Initiative, in partnership with the Daily Monitor and the Uganda Investment Authority. This program takes empowerment to a national level, combining training, storytelling, and investment readiness.
The numbers speak volumes:
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35,000+ women trained in workshops across the country
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6,000+ business proposals received
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UGX 120 million awarded in cash prizes
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Winners taken on exposure visits across East Africa
But beyond the figures, Rising Woman has given countless women the courage to formalize businesses, hire staff, and even mentor others.
What’s New in 2025?
This year, the program is reaching deeper into communities with:
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Bootcamps in 8 regions, including underserved areas
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A Young Rising Woman category for innovators under 35
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A digital submission and voting platform
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Greater emphasis on sustainability, digital transformation, and investment readiness
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Stronger alumni support for ongoing growth
Best of all, participation remains free and open. Women can register through dfcu branches, social media, or 👉 www.dfcugroup.com/rising-woman-initiative.
More Than a Competition—A Lifeline
Doreen is quick to remind participants that Rising Woman isn’t just about prizes.
“You don’t need a perfect plan—just the willingness to learn and show up. Even if you don’t win, you walk away with knowledge, networks, and confidence. With dfcu Women in Business, you’re not alone—you have a committed partner on your entrepreneurial journey.”
By listening to women and adapting based on feedback, dfcu continues to improve. Flexible loan terms, digital learning, and reduced collateral requirements are among the latest innovations designed to break old barriers.
Looking Ahead
The vision is clear: Uganda’s future will be shaped by women who dare to dream and build. dfcu Bank is making sure those dreams don’t remain on paper but turn into thriving businesses.
As Doreen concludes:
“The goal is not short-term support. It’s long-term growth. With WiB, we’re creating a future where women-led businesses are a driving force in Uganda’s economic development.”
✨ Because when women rise, Uganda rises with them.
