Pride Bank client donations boost special needs children’s home

KAMPALA - Pride Bank clients’ generosity has brought hope to children with special needs this holiday season.

Using these donations, the bank has given shillings eight million worth of essential items to the Missionaries for the Poor children’s home in Mengo, Kampala city. The contribution, the bank says, aims to ensure vulnerable children enjoy the festive period with dignity.

Elizabeth Namaganda, the bank's head of human resources, marketing, and communication, says customers contribute voluntarily via suggestion boxes in branches after completing transactions. 

“We collect these funds and purchase items like diapers, medicine, and supplies to support the children during the holidays,” she said. 

The bank says it channels 1% of its profits, about shillings 100 million annually from last year’s shillings 11 billion net profit, to community projects, with the Mengo home among its priorities.

The Missionaries for the Poor operates three facilities in Mengo, Busega, and Kitebi, caring for over 45 children with disabilities, some as old as 30 years. 

Fr. Ladilas Basiimwe, a pharmacist at the home, thanked Pride Bank for its timely support but highlighted ongoing challenges. 

The Human Resource Marketing and Communication Pride Bank Limited, Elizabeth Namaganda (2nd R) and Timoth Murenga (R), Head of Human Resource hand over items by Pride Bank at Good Shepherd’s home in Kampala. (Credit: Wilfred Sanya)

“We rely on government aid quarterly but struggle to afford expensive medications,” he said. 

He urged partners to buy drugs in bulk directly from pharmaceutical companies to reduce costs.

A call for broader partnerships

Namaganda said the donation, while impactful, is just a starting point. 

“We plan to expand support through initiatives like our new SACCO and Investment Club products, which empower community savings groups,” she said on December 30, 2025. 

The bank also advocates for public and private institutions to visit the home and engage directly.

Basiimwe said the home’s mission is a divine calling: “Many of these children were abandoned at our gates, but we see them as gifts from God.” 

With current capacity limited to 45 children to ensure quality care, the home relies on partnerships to scale support.