By Guest Writer
Small businesses remain at the centre of Uganda’s economy, but many entrepreneurs are navigating a business environment shaped by rising operating costs, tighter cash-flow cycles, changing customer behaviour and increasing competition.
While access to capital remains important, business owners are increasingly looking for banking partners that understand the realities behind their numbers, from managing growth and protecting assets to navigating unexpected disruptions and making investment decisions with confidence.
Those themes emerged during the latest dfcu Kyusa Level SME Customer Dine-Out held at the dfcu Ndeeba branch, where entrepreneurs engaged directly with senior bank leaders on the opportunities and challenges shaping their businesses. The engagement forms part of dfcu’s broader commitment to SME-growth, aimed at supporting business owners with flexible financing tailored to their growth ambitions, operational needs and investment priorities.
The discussion moved beyond access to credit to the day-to-day decisions that determine whether a business can withstand pressure and continue growing. Customers spoke about managing liquidity as costs rise, separating personal and business finances, protecting productive assets and securing financing that responds to the pace of their operations.
William Kayongo, Head of Enterprise Banking at dfcu Bank, said sustainable growth depends on financial discipline as much as ambition.
“As a business owner, you are the engine of your business. The decisions you make every day determine where that business goes. Growth is important, but sustainable growth requires discipline. Businesses need to manage their cash flows carefully, protect their productive assets and plan for risks that can interrupt operations,” Kayongo said.
He also cautioned against mixing personal and business finances, noting that unexpected personal expenses can draw working capital away from supplier payments, payroll and other operating needs.
The question of business continuity was also prominent. Arthur Kintu, Head of Bancassurance at dfcu Bank, said risk protection should be treated as part of business planning rather than considered only after a loss.
“For many business owners, their assets represent years of investment and are central to their income generation. Protecting those assets should form part of the core business plan, not something considered only after an unexpected event occurs,” Kintu said.
Mathias Jumba, Head of Integrated Channels at dfcu Bank, said the value of direct engagement lies in understanding where each business is in its growth cycle and what support is relevant at that stage.
“Every business is different. The needs of a startup differ from those of an expanding enterprise. These conversations help us understand where our customers are and what they are trying to achieve,” Jumba said.
Rebecca Birungi, Chief Financial Officer at dfcu Bank, said customer insight is particularly important as businesses adjust to changing market conditions and make decisions about their next stage of growth.
“The most valuable business insights often come directly from customers. Through the Kyusa Level SME Customer Dine-Out Series, we are creating opportunities for honest conversations with entrepreneurs about their ambitions, challenges and growth priorities. These engagements help us better understand the businesses we serve and ensure that our products, services and support remain relevant to their evolving needs. As a bank, we want to be more than a provider of financial solutions; we want to be a trusted partner in our customers’ success,” Birungi said.
Customers used the session to discuss both the wider operating environment and specific banking needs.
Through the Kyusa Level SME Customer Dine-Out Series, dfcu continues to bring entrepreneurs and business leaders together for conversations on growth, financing, business protection and the opportunities shaping Uganda’s SME sector. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
