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On Friday 23rd October, Housing Finance Bank hosted staff members to a healthcare webinar in commemoration of Breast Cancer Awareness month.

The Breast Cancer Awareness Month, marked in countries across the world every October, helps to increase attention and support for the awareness, early detection and treatment as well as palliative care of this disease. Breast cancer is by far the most common cancer in women worldwide, both in the developed and developing countries. In low- and middle-income countries the incidence has been rising up steadily in the past few years due to increase in life expectancy, increased urbanization and adoption of certain lifestyles. In Uganda, breast cancer the second most common cancer in women coming only next to cancer of the cervix.

During the webinar that was facilitated by a trained healthcare expert, the staff members were taught about early detection, treatment, staging, management and self-examination as a method of detecting breast cancer before it has progressed.

According to Ms. Peace Lillian Piwang, the Head of Human Resource at Housing Finance Bank, awareness and early detection of breast cancer are constitute the key breast cancer prevention avenues.

“We believe in the fact that health is ealth and the wellbeing of our staff and their families is a key priority here at Housing Finance Bank. We therefore felt it prudent to commemorate breast cancer awareness month with a free education session to equip our staff with the right tools to avoid breast cancer,” she said.

Aside from the webinar, Housing Finance Bank staff at the different Bank branches donned pink ribbons throughout the day in a show of solidarity with breast cancer patients and survivors.

Housing Finance Bank will launch its partnership with Water for People to implement a citywide inclusive sanitation program, where 30,000 landlords will benefit from improved sanitation loans around 5 divisions in Kampala.

This launch will be held over a virtual engagement on Tuesday September 08, 2020 at 10:00am.

“As a financial institution, we seek to work with different stakeholders in the sector to provide an improved customer value proposition that will enable all Ugandans both low and high income earners access improved sanitation loans around 5 divisions in Kampala,” says the Managing Director Housing Finance Bank, Mr. Michael. K. Mugabi.

Mr Michael. K. Mugabi, Managing Director, Housing Finance Bank

In her remarks, the country director Water For People, Mrs. Cate Zziwa Nimanya, asserted that good sanitation is a responsibility that calls for our effort and together make a lasting contribution in improving our ways of life and well-being.

“There is a need for sanitation in order to eliminate poverty and enhance well-being in a country. Water for People is therefore honored to be part of this partnership in a bid to empower families who live with a constant burden of uncertainty, stress and fear because of poor living conditions. I would also like to thank financial institutions like Housing Finance Bank which have remained consistent in driving this agenda for all,” she says.

Mugabi further adds that for over 50 years now, Housing Finance Bank has continued to provide viable solutions that enable home ownership for all Ugandans and together, we shall leverage on all available platforms to ensure decent living and home ownership.”

In Uganda, provision of decent low cost housing is promoted through some key intervention areas which include; Housing Microfinance that supports low income earners to undertake incremental micro-home-loans, Vulnerable Group Housing that provides fully subsidized social housing support for vulnerable rural households, Market Systems Program that aims at seeking partnerships with private companies to provide and develop inclusive products for all income levels of people especially the low income earners, Urbanization program that is aimed at addressing issues on the New Urban Agenda such as housing, slum upgrading and sustainable environmental management and Housing Finance Bank’s incremental housing facility.  This of course can never be possible without good sanitation and hygiene and that is why Housing Finance Bank’s partnership with Water for People is a practical initiative in heeding to the dire need of decent living for sustainable economic growth and development.

Housing Finance Bank has joined the fight against COVID-19 in Uganda, through contribution of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) to the Ministry Of Health today, Thursday March 09, 2020 at 10:00am. The PPE constituted 30 medical mattresses with PVC covers, 50 Litres of hand sanitizer and 30 boxes of non-sterile medium disposable gloves.

According to the Managing Director, Housing Finance Bank, Mr Michael. K. Mugabi, COVID-19 is a global pandemic that affects us all in one way or another hence the need to stand and fight together, in ensuring that we curb its spread and further eliminate the Corona Virus for good.

“As a fully- indigenous Bank, identifying with our communities and meeting them at their respective points of need is one attribute that we hold as a financial institution. We are cognisant of the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic is not only a global concern but a national issue, critical to all of us. Therefore, in the spirit of ensuring good health and well-being as a key driver in sustainable growth and development, we have contributed Personal Protective Equipment, to help in the various response plans and execution of all recommendations by the government of Uganda through its Ministry Of Health.”

The Minister of Health Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng applauded Housing Finance Bank for contributing such important items to the Ministry.

“Housing Finance Bank is indeed our indigenous Bank and a brand we are passionate about. I thank Housing Finance Bank for choosing these specific items. Personal Protective Equipment is very important to us because our front facing staff need it so much. The mattresses are medical mattresses with PVC covers plus the hand sanitizer and gloves are much more needed by our staff at such a critical time. Thank you so much Housing Finance Bank, for standing with us, as our Bank and above all affiliating with us at such a time of need”, she said.

Mugabi further adds that, the Bank has endeavoured to implement all the recommended measures and guidelines across its operations for the mutual benefit of staff, customers and communities at large.

“We believe that through everyone’s concerted effort, we shall bring our best feet forward, fight and beat COVID-19 together”, he says.

COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organisation on March 11, 2020 and has continued to affect various countries on the global scene. Uganda has so far registered 54 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 and no death to date.

Housing Finance Bank in partnership with Universal Multipurpose Enterprises and Nakasero Blood Bank held a blood donation drive on Friday July 12, 2019 in Naalya Estate.

The blood drive which was attended by the Mayor- Kira municipality, Mr. Mutebi Julius Nsubuga, the town clerk, Mr. Yiga Benon, dignitaries from Housing Finance Bank, Universal Multipurpose Properties and the Nakasero Blood Bank, was aimed at contributing to the adequate need of blood in the country.

According to the Communications and Public Relations Manager- Housing Finance Bank, Ms. Connie Nankya, “The need for blood is a nationwide aspect. In Uganda, 340,000 units of safe blood is required to meet health needs annually and the daily blood needs are ever increasing. Accident victims, women in labor, children, patients at all fronts requiring transfusion, are on the rise increasing the need for blood in hospitals every day. It is therefore important for us to participate in such initiatives that bind us together in sharing the same goal – saving life.”

Universal Multipurpose Enterprises’ Managing Director- Muffaddal Yeolawala adds that, blood donation is everyone’s responsibility. “It is with pleasure that we joined our partners, Housing Finance Bank customers and the Nakasero Blood Bank to conduct today’s blood donation activity. 450mls is all that is required per head at any given time. We are aware that some of our customers within the residential areas may not be able to travel and donate blood away from home for one reason or another. This is why we took the initiative and extended the services to them so that we can make this contribution together in saving lives.”

One of the customers Annet Mbabazi who was donating blood for the first time was pleased to be engaged in today’s exercise given her long time wish to make this worthwhile contribution to save life.

“I was very happy when I was told that I could donate blood because while I have always wanted to do so, I was hindered by varying reasons here and there. Thankfully today, I was able to do so. I think everyone should take heed as and when they can and donate blood. We are all affected by the need for more blood in our blood banks. Whether it is for ourselves, relatives, an unknown patient, we need blood so I feel proud of myself that I gave blood today and encourage everyone else to do the same. Even better within the confines of my residential area.”

Nakasero Blood Bank appreciated everyone who participated while urging the public and other organizations to do the same and save life through blood donation.

Housing Finance Bank partnered with Habitat for Humanity and the Buganda Kingdom to champion the “Decent Living Campaign.” This is an initiative aimed at improving lives through decent shelter, better livelihood, access to safe and clean water, better hygiene and sanitation with an objective to support approximately 360 individuals by 2030.

This was kicked off with a ground breaking ceremony in Entebbe, Busiro county on July 27, 2019 where the first set of houses will be constructed, and more are to be constructed in each of the other 6 counties of Kyadondo, Ssingo, Mawokota and Kyaggwe.

Housing Finance Bank partnered with Habitat for Humanity and the Buganda Kingdom to champion the “Decent Living Campaign.” This is an initiative aimed at improving lives through decent shelter, better livelihood, access to safe and clean water, better hygiene and sanitation with an objective to support approximately 360 individuals by 2030.

This was kicked off with a ground breaking ceremony in Entebbe, Busiro county on July 27, 2019 where the first set of houses will be constructed, and more are to be constructed in each of the other 6 counties of Kyadondo, Ssingo, Mawokota and Kyaggwe.

“Our journey on the “Decent Living Campaign” started last year when we joined our partners at Habitat For humanity and key stakeholders from the Kingdom of Buganda, to launch this initiative on October 27, 2018 at the Kampala Serena Hotel. This groundbreaking ceremony is therefore a key milestone as far as the implementation of this campaign is concerned. As a financial institution, we seek to work with different stakeholders in the housing sector to provide an improved customer value proposition that will enable low income earners in Uganda access housing finance solutions for low cost housing,” says the Managing Director Housing Finance Bank, Mr. Michael. K. Mugabi.

In his remarks, the second deputy prime minister of the Buganda Kingdom, Owekitibwa Robert Waggwa Nsibirwa asserted that housing is a responsibility that calls for our effort and together make a lasting contribution in improving the housing sector.  “There is a need for social housing in order to eliminate poverty housing in Uganda. Every day, more and more vulnerable families like widows, elderly and children especially in the rural areas find themselves in a struggle to keep a decent roof over their heads. The Buganda Kingdom is therefore honoured to be part of the “Decent Living Campaign” in a bid to empower families who live with a constant burden of uncertainty, stress and fear because of poor living conditions. I would also like to thank financial institutions like Housing Finance Bank which have remained consistent in driving the affordable housing agenda for all. For over 50 years now, Housing Finance Bank has continued to provide viable solutions that enable home ownership for all Ugandans and together, we shall leverage on all available platforms to ensure decent living, under this campaign.”

Mr. Ssentongo Abubaker who is 75 years old, a father to four children and three grandchildren was the first beneficiary under this campaign. Ssentongo suffered a back injury that made him unable to fend for his family and continue with his brick laying business. The family of 9 has been living in a one roomed house and relying on the neighbors for the toilet and bathroom amenities. With great emotion, Ssentongo remarked that he was humbled and greatly honored to have an opportunity to be supported by such dignitaries from respectable organizations. “For a long time I have longed for a home for my family and Iam happy that this dream is finally coming to life”

The National Director, Habitat For Humanity, Leticia Kiyingi greatly appreciated Housing Finance Bank and the Buganda Kingdom for joining them in driving the decent living initiative. “Every day, vulnerable families headed by widows, the elderly and sometimes even children especially in the rural areas find themselves in a struggle to keep a decent roof over their heads.  It is therefore a fulfilment of our vision to see such families being supported through such initiatives”, she said.

In Uganda, provision of decent low cost housing is promoted through some key intervention areas which include; Housing Microfinance that supports low income earners to undertake incremental micro-home-loans, Vulnerable Group Housing that provides fully subsidized social housing support for vulnerable rural households, Market Systems Program that aims at seeking partnerships with private companies to provide and develop inclusive products for all income levels of people especially the low income earners, Urbanization program that is aimed at addressing issues on the New Urban Agenda such as housing, slum upgrading and sustainable environmental management and Housing Finance Bank’s incremental housing facility.