Kampala, Uganda, July 31, 2024 – Ecobank Uganda and the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to improve the physical, social and living conditions of some of Uganda’s most vulnerable communities.
The two institutions have set out their three-year plan to promote community initiatives across health; disaster response and management; blood donor recruitment and mobilisation; response to pandemics and epidemics; water, sanitation and hygiene; menstrual hygiene management through the provision of sanitary pads; youth and women empowerment; and the sustainability/ESG agenda.
Under the agreement, Ecobank Uganda will also create banking solutions to help URCS address the challenges of vulnerable young girls who drop out of school due to lack of menstrual hygiene pads. Ecobank Uganda has unveiled its ‘Keep A Girl in School’ account to support this initiative and will also be organising collections and donations. Ugandans are encouraged to contribute to the cause by using the dedicated account number: 7195000778 on Ecobank’s website or at branches. Beyond this, Ecobank will also be providing IT, risk management and financial literacy support to the intended beneficiaries.
The MoU was signed by Ecobank Uganda’s Managing Director, Ms. Grace Muliisa, and the Uganda Red Cross Society’s Secretary General, Mr. Robert Kwesiga.
Ms. Grace Muliisa stressed the importance of the partnership, its potential benefits to the public, and its impact in ensuring that no schoolgirls miss out on education due to lack of sanitary pads. “We are proud to collaborate with the Uganda Red Cross Society and contribute to these important humanitarian efforts. We have committed to several initiatives, including the empowerment of girls through education, and will be working with the Uganda Red Cross Society to help facilitate humanitarian aid across Uganda. I have personally committed to being an ambassador and advocate for schoolgirls - our aim is to foster a generation of educated women who can contribute positively to their communities and society.”
Robert Kwesiga expressed his appreciation for Ecobank Uganda’s promotion of humanitarian support and for joining the URCS on its 60th anniversary. He said, “On 9th July, we launched our ‘Humanity Needs You’ campaign to rally the public to join hands with us and support humanitarian services.” He acknowledged that all this is coming at a time when the world is rapidly changing, with climate change, migration and public health crises all increasing the need for humanitarian support. “It is imperative that we remain agile and responsive as we face all these humanitarian challenges, while leveraging innovation and collaboration to meet the most critical humanitarian needs of the people we serve. I thank Ecobank for taking the lead with this partnership, so that we can work together to address the key issues affecting humanity.”
-ENDS-
Editor’s Notes:
Ecobank Uganda and the Uganda Red Cross Society first established the ‘Keep A Girl In School’ campaign in 2019, through an MoU which recently expired. The two institutions are rekindling the relationship by expanding the areas of collaboration through a new three-year Partnership agreement signed on 31 July 2024.
The Uganda Red Cross Society celebrated its 60th anniversary on 30 July 2024. As part of the celebrations, it launched the ‘Humanity Needs You’ campaign on 9th July to call for more partners and individuals to join the Red Cross. People and organisations can join as members, volunteers, partners or donors and become part of the army that serves humanity in Uganda. More details are available at www.redcrossug.org
For more details, please contact
Sarah Komugisha
Brand and Communications Manager
Ecobank Uganda Limited-
Tel: +256-782307326 or 256-757080023
Email: skomugisha@ecobank.com
Irene Nakasiita
Director Communications
Resource Mobilisation & Partnerships – URCS
Tel: 0755000695
Email: inakasiita@redcrossug.org
About Ecobank Uganda Limited:
Ecobank Uganda is a subsidiary of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), the parent company of Ecobank Group, which is headquartered in Lomé, Togo. Ecobank Group operates in 33 countries in Africa, and also has local representative offices in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and Johannesburg, South Africa. Ecobank Group also has a banking licence in France and international offices in Beijing, China; London, UK; and Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. Ecobank began its operations in Uganda in 2009 under the supervision and regulation of Bank of Uganda (BOU) and has 10 branches located in Kampala, Entebbe, Mbarara & Jinja and two service centres in Kireka and Nakasero. As part of its digital strategy, the Bank has 27 ATMs across the country with over 170 personnel and over 400 Xpress Point agencies serving customers through its Consumer Banking, Commercial Banking and treasury business divisions.
ABOUT UGANDA RED CROSS SOCIETY
Uganda Red Cross Society is a membership humanitarian organisation incorporated in 1964, by an enactment of the Red Cross Act, Cap 57 of the laws of Uganda. URCS became a member of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent in 1965. URCS performs an auxiliary role to the Government of Uganda, to give humanitarian support during times of emergencies. URCS also collaborates with a diversified portfolio of partners including the Government of Uganda, the United Nations, Red Cross National Societies, Civil Society organisations and private corporate entities among others.