DPF receives Savings Box from Housing Finance Bank in ESG-Focused Savings Challenge – April 4, 2025

The Savings Challenge is a flagship activity of the annual Banking and Financial Services Awareness Month (BFSAM) organized by member institutions of the Financial Sector Safety net Forum (FSSF). It is one of the activities undertaken to commemorate the 2024 World Savings Day, under the theme ‘Save, Grow & Protect’. The challenge is designed to encourage individuals and communities to adopt disciplined savings habits. In order to walk the talk and encourage public participation, a Savings Box, into which staff voluntarily contribute any amount, is moved among the participating institutions. The funds collected are then directed towards an impactful ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) initiative.

Mr. Gonzaga Kafuuma, led the team from Housing Finance Bank to hand over the savings box to the Deposit Protection Fund on April 4, 2025. The box was received by Dr. Julia Clare Olima Oyet (Mrs.), DPF’s Chief Executive Officer in the company of Mrs. Goretti Masadde, CEO of Uganda Institute of Banking and Financial Services (UIBFS).

Dr. Julia Oyet (center) giving her remarks at the event that was held at the DPF Offices at AHA Towers. Present at the handover ceremony were Mrs. Goretti Masadde, UIBFS Chief Executive Officer (R) and Mr. Patrick Ezaga, DPF Director Communications (L).

DPF’s CEO accepted the challenge on behalf of the Fund and expressed confidence that the DPF staff would perform even better than the previous year’s challenge. “At the Deposit Protection Fund, we are steadfast in our commitment to integrating ESG principles into our operations. We believe that sustainable practices, social responsibility, and robust governance are not just ethical imperatives but also key drivers of long-term success and resilience. Our dedication to these values ensures that we protect not only the deposits of today but also the future of our communities and the environment”. She further noted that DPF was delighted to partner with UIBFS and other sector players on this important initiative.

On his part, Mr. Kafuuma, representing Housing Finance Bank, commended the initiative for bringing together sector players in a campaign that not only promotes saving but also contributes to a broader social impact. He announced that Housing Finance Bank had collected UGX 2,466,000.

Dr. Julia Oyet (Center) receives the savings box from Mr. Gonzaga Kafuuma (Right)

Mrs. Goretti Masadde, CEO of UIBFS emphasized that the theme “Save, Grow & Protect” embodies the initiative’s dual purpose; to empower individuals with better financial habits and to ensure that these savings contribute to long-term societal benefits by channelling the funds towards projects that address pressing ESG concerns, including environmental sustainability and community welfare. the savings challenge will continue across other financial institutions, with the final pooled savings expected to support an ESG initiative identified by UIBFS and its partners.