Women leaders were also awarded during the launch
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I It’s back and promises to be hotter this year. 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, has been unveiled.
This is a result of dfcu Bank’s partnership with Monitor Publications, one of the leading media firms in the country.
Launched at Mestil Hotel in Kampala recently, the 2025 edition builds on the Initiative’s legacy of uplifting over 60,000 women in person and reaching more than one million virtually since 2018.
Dr. Victoria Sekitoleko, former Minister of Agriculture, in her address during the launch, said that the campaign continues to be one of Uganda’s most influential platforms for women-led business transformation.
“I was born in a time when society had very clear—and often limiting—expectations for girls. Fortunately, I had parents who believed in the power of education, even for a girl,” she said, adding that because of her open minded parents, she built skills, confidence, and a voice that carried her from her family farm to national and global leadership.
Sekitoleko, a reknowned agriculturist and leadership mentor, said that it’s the reason why dfcu Bank’s Rising Woman Initiative resonates so deeply with her.
Officially open
“It recognizes women as central drivers of Uganda’s economic transformation, and offers them the tools and community they need to rise. It has the transformative power of opportunity.”
Declaring the 7th edition officially open, she called on women entrepreneurs to “invest in yourself and your fellow businesswomen…because every step you take is a legacy for Uganda.”
In her keynote address, Winnie Awino, a partner at S&L Advocates spoke on the importance of Safeguarding Business Legacy. She shared practical steps and strategies for over 100 businesswomen who attended the event.
Participation was all inclusive during the launch at Mestil Hotel in Kampala
Her presentation covered several topic including legal structures for building a business as well as future-proofing personal and business estates.
Dr. Gudula Naiga Basaza, Chairperson of the dfcu Women Business Advisory Council emphasized the institution’s long-standing commitment to women.
“Women are the backbone of Uganda. They are nurturers of families, transformers of communities, and key drivers of economic growth,” she noted.
She further pointed out that from market stalls to corporate boardrooms, women’s impact is profound.
Women in business
Basaza noted 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 dfcu WiB Program has since grown into a dynamic ecosystem offering tailored financial solutions, business training and advisory, as well as legal and leadership coaching. It also offers business to Business (B2B) linkages and exposure, in addition to media profiling and mentorship.
Doreen Atuheire, Head of Women in Business at dfcu Bank, said this year’s campaign is more ambitious and impact-driven than ever, since it will be composed of 5 Regional Trainings, Business Proposal Competition with Shs 30 million in prize money and the Rising Woman Expo.
It will also be composed of an Awards Gala and an All-Expenses-Paid Mentorship Trip.
“We’re not just funding businesses; we’re investing in ambition, resilience, and leadership. To every woman who dares to dream and build, dfcu believes in you,” she affirmed.
Participants listen to an official during the launch at Mestil Hotel in Kampala
Flavia Tumusiime Kabuura, the Head of broadcasting at National Media Group reaffirmed her organisation’s commitment to furthering the socioeconomic growth of women through its programming and partnerships.
“This initiative allows women to grow their networks and reach bigger markets which boosts their income and grows their businesses,” she said, adding that media platforms profile and increase visibility of women entrepreneurs and their businesses.
Eligibility and participation
Participation in this initiative is free of charge. However, women-led businesses must at least have 50% female ownership and at least 30% women in leadership or staff. They should also be founded and actively led by a woman. Important to note is that previous Rising Woman winners are ineligible to resubmit applications for participation.
Proposal forms are available at all dfcu Bank branches, Daily Monitor offices, or online via https://www.dfcugroup.com/rising-woman-initiative/
