dfcu Bank- Rotary Uganda Partnership Expands Community Healthcare Access to over 1,000 residents in Kamwokya

Kampala, Uganda, October 2026: – Previously undiagnosed cases of hypertension and diabetes were identified during the latest dfcu Bank–Rotary Health Camp in Kamwokya, where approximately 1,085 residents received medical consultations, screening, treatment and referrals.

The number of previously undiagnosed cases identified during the outreach illustrates how community-based health programmes often serve as a first point of contact with the healthcare system for many residents, particularly for preventive care and routine screening.

The outreach, held at Kamwokya Seventh-day Adventist Church on 16 October, brought together medical doctors, nurses, laboratory personnel and volunteers to provide a range of healthcare services, including general consultations, diagnostic testing, treatment for common illnesses, dental and eye care, HIV testing and counselling, mental health support, family planning services, cervical cancer screening, sickle cell testing and referrals for specialised care.

Medical teams also recorded cases of malaria, respiratory tract infections and diarrhoeal diseases during the exercise.

Dr. Alex Lwesabula, a medical doctor at Mengo Hospital and a Rotarian, said several people who attended the camp were unaware they were living with hypertension or diabetes until they underwent routine screening.

“Many people do not seek medical attention until they become unwell. During the camp, we identified patients with elevated blood pressure and blood sugar levels who had never previously been tested. Early diagnosis allows patients to seek treatment and manage these conditions before they lead to more serious complications,” he said.

A blood donation drive organised in partnership with Mengo Hospital was conducted alongside the camp. Organisers had set a target of 65 units of blood, and by the end of the exercise, 71 units had been collected.

According to preliminary results from the outreach, the camp delivered 91 dental consultations, 83 eye-care services, 59 reproductive health consultations, 46 HIV counselling sessions, 23 breast examinations, 20 cervical cancer screenings, 18 circumcisions, 17 family planning services and 10 antenatal consultations.

The National Health Laboratory and Diagnostics Services team conducted 1,838 tests across eight diagnostic categories. These included 478 sickle cell tests, 357 HIV tests, 307 malaria tests, 245 syphilis tests and 207 hepatitis B tests. Additional investigations included 100 H. pylori tests, 50 pregnancy tests and 94 urinalysis tests.

Speaking at the camp, dfcu Limited Chairman Jimmy Mugerwa said access to healthcare remains an important factor in the social and economic development of communities.

“A healthy population underpins economic activity at every level. It affects livelihoods, productivity and the ability of families to plan for the future. That is why interventions that expand access to screening, treatment and healthcare information remain important, particularly in communities where many people may not routinely engage with the healthcare system. As an organisation that has grown alongside Ugandan communities for decades, we remain committed to supporting initiatives that contribute to their long-term wellbeing and development. Strong communities create the foundation for stronger households, stronger businesses and a more resilient economy,” Mugerwa said.

Helena Mayanja, Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at dfcu Bank, said the partnership with Rotary Uganda reflects a shared commitment to improving access to healthcare services.

“This partnership brings together resources, expertise and community networks to make essential health services more accessible. Through initiatives such as these health camps, we are supporting efforts to ensure that more people have the opportunity to access screening, treatment and appropriate referrals when they need them,” she said.

Raymond Andrew Kalema of the Rotary Club of Kitante said Rotary has conducted health camps in Kamwokya for the past five years, with the number of residents seeking services increasing over time.

“We continue to see strong demand for screening, treatment and medical advice. For many patients, the camp provides an opportunity to access services that might otherwise be delayed or missed altogether. Equally important is ensuring that those who require further treatment are linked to appropriate follow-up care,” he said.

The Kamwokya outreach forms part of dfcu Bank’s three-year partnership with Rotary Uganda, through which the Bank committed UGX 1 billion to support community health initiatives, including medical camps, screenings, health education, referrals and access to specialised care. Since the partnership began, more than 30,000 Ugandans have benefited from the programme, while 22 children from Western Uganda have received heart surgery through the initiative.

The partnership continues to support healthcare outreach programmes in communities across Uganda, providing access to preventive care, treatment and specialist referrals, while strengthening links between communities and health service providers.