On Friday, 10 July, Housing Finance Bank, in collaboration with Universal M. Enterprises Affordable Housing and the Uganda Blood Transfusion Services (UBTS), successfully held its sixth annual blood donation drive.

Staff, customers, partners, and members of the public came together at the bank’s Head Office in Kololo to donate blood for patients in need across the country.

The drive collected 52 units of blood, which UBTS will process and distribute to hospitals and health facilities nationwide. These donations will help save lives of mothers with childbirth complications, road accident victims, children battling severe anaemia, surgical patients, and those managing chronic illnesses.

The initiative comes amid an ongoing national blood shortage.

Uganda requires around 500,000 units of blood annually but collected only about 439,000 units last year. This gap means roughly one in every ten patients needing a transfusion cannot access one in time, according to UBTS.

Speaking at the event, Housing Finance Bank Executive Director Peace Ayebazibwe highlighted the bank’s commitment to community wellbeing.

“Without healthy lives and strong communities, there is no sustainable business or housing. Road accidents and medical emergencies remind us daily how critical blood donations are — they literally give people a second chance at life,” she said.

Ayebazibwe reaffirmed the bank’s dedication to partnering with others to promote voluntary blood donation and bolster Uganda’s healthcare system.Muffadal Yeolawala, Managing Director of Universal M. Enterprises Affordable Housing, praised the collaboration:

“Every single donation has the power to save a life. We call on more individuals and organisations to join these efforts so we can collectively close the gap in safe blood supply.”

Representing UBTS, Blood Donor Recruiter Awori Esther thanked the partners and urged more Ugandans to become regular voluntary donors.

“Voluntary donors form the foundation of a safe blood supply. Partnerships like this expand our reach, replenish stocks, and ensure patients get the timely care they desperately need,” she said.

Through this annual drive, Housing Finance Bank continues to demonstrate that true sustainable development starts with healthy communities. By addressing critical healthcare needs through strategic partnerships, the bank is creating lasting shared value for Uganda.