By Aggrey Baba
What began as a simple gesture of goodwill four years ago has now evolved into a powerful annual commitment to saving lives.
Housing Finance Bank (HFB), in close collaboration with Universal M. Enterprises (Affordable Housing Uganda), has once again hosted a national blood donation drive that brought together communities, corporate citizens, and public health advocates under one roof.
Held at HFB’s office in Kololo, the latest edition of the blood drive was not just about collecting units of blood, but reaffirming the role of corporate actors in solving the country’s persistent blood shortages, especially at a time when the demand for blood continues to outpace supply in hospitals nationwide.
The drive, which was open to the public, attracted donors from all walks of life (customers, non-customers, and members of the surrounding community) who came to support a cause that is increasingly becoming a national priority.
At the centre of the initiative is HFB’s evolving view of what it means to serve.
“We are a bank that cares about the communities in which we operate,” said John Baptist Kaweesi, Head of Mortgage and Consumer Banking at HFB, adding that this is not just corporate social responsibility, but it is about life and death, and very drop of blood collected is a life potentially saved.
Last year’s effort saved an estimated 93 lives, with each unit of blood having the potential to help three patients. This year, the organisers set out to do even more.
The success of the initiative also rests on a carefully coordinated partnership between HFB and Universal M. Enterprises whose Managing Director, Muffadal Yeolawala, described the collaboration as deeply rooted in shared values.
“We don’t just partner in housing, but in humanity. This is our third or fourth blood drive with HFB, and each time we come back, it is to give something to the people who trust us,” said Yeolawala.
Beyond the business of building homes, Universal M. Enterprises has steadily grown its role in social impact work, aligning affordable housing with accessible healthcare. That vision dovetails with Uganda Blood Transfusion Services (UBTS), which provided medical expertise, logistics, and on-site staff for the event.
Uganda’s blood shortages remain a critical health concern, as blood is urgently needed for maternal care, road accident emergencies, major surgeries, and treatment of chronic diseases such as sickle cell anemia and cancer.
With each drive, HFB and its partners contribute directly to replenishing the Nakasero Blood Bank, one of Uganda’s central distribution centres. The donations, once processed by UBTS, are dispatched to hospitals across the country, often making the difference between life and death in rural and urban health facilities alike.
While many corporate social responsibility campaigns begin and end with a single photo opportunity, HFB and Universal M. Enterprises appear to be in it for the long haul. Plans are already underway for future blood drives, with both institutions signalling a long-term commitment to public health and sustainable development.
In an era where trust in institutions is often measured by impact, not promises, HFB’s blood drive is emerging as a model of meaningful corporate citizenship, turning good intentions into something truly vital.
