Partnerships boost Stanbic safe motherhood initiatives across Uganda

Partnerships are a vital factor in the implementation of Stanbic Bank’s Corporate Social Investment (CSI) programme and Karita Health Centre IV in Amudat District is the latest example of how this ensures greater impact for the communities concerned.

Karita Health Centre IV is located in one of Uganda’s most remote and underserved regions, but catering for a patient demand that extends far exceeds its capacity.

For many mothers in Karamoja sub-region, accessing specialized care has never been simply a matter of walking to a nearby health facility. It often means negotiating distance, isolation and uncertainty.

Diana Ondoga, Manager CSI at Stanbic Bank said, “For many expectant mothers, access to quality maternal healthcare has often been limited by distance, inadequate facilities, and a shortage of specialized services. Supporting impactful health partnerships aligns with our mission to drive growth and improve lives across Uganda.”

As part of MTN Yello Care Campaign, MTN Uganda and Stanbic Bank, partnered to equip Karita and three other centres with medical equipment and supplies, solar power equipment, ICT tools, bicycles and smartphones for Village Health Teams, digital health training and community health interventions.

The MTN Uganda campaign brought together other organisations from the private sector, government, NGOs and civil society under the theme ‘Expand Equitable Health for Every Community’.

However, the significance of the intervention cannot be measured only in the value of the equipment delivered. It lies in what the equipment means to a mother who no longer has to feel completely alone in an emergency, to a health worker trying to serve a difficult-to-reach community with limited resources.

Meanwhile, a Village Health Team member is now able to communicate and move more effectively within the communities.

Three years ago, Stanbic Bank, in partnership with the Ministry of Health, launched the Corporate Society for Safe Motherhood (CSSM), an initiative to improve maternal health services across Uganda.

The CSSM mobilizes resources and brings together corporate organizations like MTN Uganda to support the reduction of maternal and infant mortality in Uganda.

In June 2026, during the commissioning of the newly completed maternity wing and operating theatre at Karita HC IV, Stanbic Bank donated medical equipment valued at over UGX 96 million as part of a broader effort to strengthen healthcare systems and improve service delivery in underserved communities.

Ondoga said, “At Stanbic Bank, we are proud to be associated with the safe motherhood campaign and to partner with like-minded entities such as MTN Uganda, committed to creating sustainable community development and driving inclusive growth.”

The Y’ello Care campaign positioned Karita as the final stop after similar interventions at Kibiito Health Centre IV in Bunyangabu, Maddu Health Centre IV in Gomba and Kiyunga Health Centre IV in Luuka. For MTN Uganda and its partners, this initiative reflects an approach that goes beyond providing telecom services.
According to Dr George Ogwang, the facility’s in-charge, Amudat District has a population of more than 203,000 people, but the health facility also serves about 40,000 people from neighbouring districts.

He said the new support will strengthen the facility’s ability to respond to this large catchment population, particularly mothers and newborns.

Stanbic Bank’s efforts to improve maternal and child health in Uganda through partnerships has been a cornerstone to boost service delivery. Recently the bank donated UGX 600 million over three years to Rotary Mama Toto Care Uganda.
It also committed UGX 200 million to the second edition of the Independence Marathon. All these commitments are aimed at improving maternal healthcare and reducing preventable maternal and newborn deaths across Uganda.