dfcu bank has opened its 55th branch at the Namanve Industrial Park, becoming the second financial institution to establish a physical presence in the fast-growing manufacturing hub.
The branch was officially opened by the state minister for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, David Bahati, a long-standing dfcu customer, who underscored the importance of situating financial services within industrial zones.
Bahati said positioning banks closer to manufacturers is a practical step toward unlocking productivity, improving cash flow and accelerating industrial growth.
He noted that the industrial sector now contributes 16.5 per cent to Uganda’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), with manufacturing alone generating approximately Shs 8 trillion and employing more than 1.4 million Ugandans. The Namanve Industrial Park hosts over 400 factories and employs about 4,000 people.
The minister urged dfcu to replicate the Namanve model in other industrial parks as government expands the country’s manufacturing footprint, and called for more affordable credit to accelerate production among local businesses.
Margaret Karume, dfcu’s chief credit officer, said the new branch is designed to serve businesses within the industrial park and surrounding areas, bringing financial services closer to where economic activity takes place.
“We have a cash depositor machine that allows cash deposits 24 hours a day, seven days a week all year round. This initiative supports both corporate and personal customers, and we are fully committed to transforming lives and businesses in Uganda,” she said.
Kira Municipality MP-elect George Musisi, who is also a dfcu customer, welcomed the development, saying the presence of the bank would strengthen support to the industrial sector.
Musisi emphasized that while due diligence remains essential, financial institutions should strike a balance between compliance and efficiency.
“Quick access to finance is crucial to prevent reliance on money lenders due to extensive paperwork in banks,” he noted, calling for streamlined processes that protect both banks and customers.
For business leaders such as Faridah Ally, manager at LaganDott Namanve Ltd, the new branch offers both convenience and continuity. LaganDott has served as a road construction and infrastructure company within the park since 2021. Having opened her first dfcu account five years ago, she described the bank as a steady partner in her company’s growth journey.
Fred Moses Waida, vice chairperson of the Namanve Industrial Park, pledged full support to the bank.
“As leaders, we pledge our full support to dfcu. As local leaders, we must cooperate with institutions that come to serve our community. We have worked with many organisations in this area, and I commit myself and our leadership to supporting dfcu.”
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