By mid-morning, the grounds of Nakivubo Blue Primary School were already alive with quiet urgency. Mothers balanced toddlers on their hips, boda boda riders exchanged notes on blood pressure readings, and elderly couples waited patiently in the shade, all drawn by a shared need for accessible healthcare.
The scene underscored a persistent challenge in Uganda—uneven access to medical services, particularly for low-income and hard-to-reach communities where the nearest health facility can be miles away.
In response, dfcu Bank, in partnership with Rotary Uganda, Joint Medical Stores, Mengo Blood Bank, and the Organization for Promotion of Health, is scaling up community-based medical outreaches to bridge this gap.
The free medical camp at Nakivubo is part of a broader initiative launched in 2025, with similar family health days held in Mbuya, Kasenyi Landing Site, Mbarara, Ibanda, and Masaka. The programme is designed to eliminate cost and distance barriers that often prevent people from seeking timely care.
Marjorie Brenda Namyalo, Charter President of the Rotary Club of Kampala Blue Hearts—dfcu’s staff Rotary club—said the camps target both communicable and non-communicable diseases. Services include testing and treatment for malaria and HIV/AIDS, as well as screening for diabetes, hypertension, sickle cell disease, and dental conditions, alongside general consultations and blood donation drives.
With an expected turnout of up to 2,000 people per camp, the initiative also integrates referral pathways for patients requiring specialised treatment.
Backed by a three-year UGX 1 billion commitment from dfcu Bank, the partnership signals a shift from one-off corporate social responsibility activities to sustained investment in public health systems.
Since its launch, the programme has reached more than 20,000 people through 12 medical camps, delivering thousands of consultations, surgeries, screenings, and blood donations—helping to strengthen community health systems and improve continuity of care across multiple regions in Uganda.