The streets of Kampala were filled with colour, energy, and solidarity as hundreds of people participated in the “Hope in Motion” Walk, a nationwide awareness initiative led by dfcu Bank to highlight the growing burden of Sickle Cell Disease in Uganda.
Organised in partnership with Mulago National Referral Hospital and Mengo Hospital, the walk attracted corporate leaders, healthcare workers, caregivers, government officials, and Sickle Cell warriors, all united in calling for expanded screening, improved treatment access, and increased blood donation.
What began as a symbolic march quickly evolved into a broader national appeal for action against a disease that continues to place a heavy burden on Uganda’s healthcare system and families.
Health experts estimate that between 20,000 and 25,000 babies are born with Sickle Cell Disease annually in Uganda, while nearly one in five people carries the sickle cell trait, underscoring the scale of the challenge.
For many families, the condition goes beyond medical complications, bringing repeated pain crises, frequent hospital visits, missed school days for children, and rising healthcare costs that strain household incomes.
The initiative forms part of dfcu Bank’s broader sustainability and community outreach programme as the institution marks 62 years of operations in Uganda.
It also builds on previous health interventions, including dfcu–Rotary Uganda health camps aimed at improving access to essential services in underserved communities.
Helena Mayanja, Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at dfcu Bank, said the bank’s involvement in Sickle Cell advocacy began through direct engagement with patients and caregivers during earlier outreach programmes.
“Our involvement in the Sickle Cell journey started during dfcu’s 60th Anniversary through the ‘60 Acts of Kindness’ campaign. What began as a simple outreach to the Mulago Sickle Cell wards opened our eyes to the realities many families face daily,” Mayanja said.
She noted that the bank has since expanded its interventions to include awareness creation, promotion of screening, and encouragement of blood donation.
She added that staff contributions towards improving facilities at the Mulago Sickle Cell Clinic have exceeded initial expectations.
At Mulago National Referral Hospital, the Sickle Cell Clinic remains one of the busiest specialised units, serving hundreds of patients daily from across the country.
Dr Rosemary Byanyima, Executive Director of Mulago Hospital, described the initiative as a meaningful intervention that brings renewed hope to affected families.
“Many children living with Sickle Cell experience recurring pain crises, anaemia, infections and other life-threatening complications that disrupt their education and place financial strain on families,” she said.
She welcomed government efforts to introduce mandatory newborn screening as a key step toward early diagnosis, while calling for sustained investment to ensure consistent access to treatment nationwide.
Government officials also urged collective responsibility in addressing the disease. Hon. David Bahati, Minister of State for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives (Industry), commended dfcu Bank for using its corporate platform to raise awareness about a major public health concern.
“Sickle Cell Disease continues to affect many families across Uganda, yet awareness and support remain limited. Initiatives like the ‘Hope in Motion’ Walk help bring visibility, encourage screening and mobilise communities to stand together,” he said.
Medical experts are also advocating for decentralised care to ease pressure on national referral hospitals, noting that while Mulago hosts Uganda’s oldest Sickle Cell centre established in 1968, efforts are underway to expand services to regional and district health facilities.
As the walk concluded, organisers emphasised that awareness must be matched with sustained action, including early screening, increased blood donation, and strengthened healthcare systems.
Through the “Hope in Motion” Walk, dfcu Bank joined national stakeholders in pushing for a coordinated response to Sickle Cell Disease—one driven by urgency, compassion, and shared responsibility.