KAMPALA – Kate K. Kiiza has built a remarkable career in Uganda’s financial sector, driven by resilience, vision, and purpose. With over 18 years in finance, she has played a key role in dfcuBank’s strategic growth, first as CFO since 2015 and now as Executive Director and Chief of Corporate and Institutional Banking. Her leadership is deeply rooted in financial transformation and women’s empowerment, ensuring that access to finance becomes a catalyst for growth.
This Women’s Month, we celebrate her journey and impact.
Winning the 2024 CFO of the Year Award & Finance Transformation and Technology Award – What do these awards mean to you?
Receiving the CFO of the Year and Finance Transformation & Technology Awards in 2024 was both humbling and inspiring. These recognitions are a reflection of the collective efforts of my team and the transformative work happening at dfcu Bank. More than personal achievement, they reaffirm the power of strategic leadership, resilience, and innovation in shaping financial institutions and the economy at large.
What’s your leadership philosophy, and how does it align with dfcu’s mission?
I believe in financial prudence, innovation, and sustainability as the foundations of growth. Every decision at dfcu is made with long-term impact in mind, ensuring financial stability while driving transformation.
For instance, dfcu’s Women in Business Program has empowered over 70,000 female entrepreneurs, providing business skills and financing. Additionally, our involvement in the GROW Project—partnering with the Government of Uganda, the World Bank, and other stakeholders—has extended financing to thousands of women-led businesses. In March last year, we collaborated with MTN Uganda to launch the Advancing Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) accelerator program.
This program is designed to increase the participation of women owned businesses within MTN Uganda’s supply chain.
The AWE objective of increasing participation of women in the top spend supply chain areas and supporting women to grow economically tallies with dfcu Bank’s purpose of Transforming Lives and Businesses in Uganda, and the bank’s aspiration of creating an enabling environment for women entrepreneurs to thrive. My role is to ensure these initiatives continue to reach and uplift women across Uganda.
How have your experiences shaped your approach to supporting female entrepreneurs?
My career has been a journey of continuous learning, bold decision-making, and an unwavering commitment to inclusion. At dfcu, we design products and programs that provide women with the financial knowledge, capital, and networks they need to thrive. By bridging financial gaps and supporting business growth, we are fostering economic empowerment on a national scale.
What has been your proudest moment, and how does it tie into your vision for women in finance?
dfcu has spent over 60 years fostering economic development, and being part of this legacy is deeply fulfilling. Winning the 2024 CFO of the Year award was not just about my journey—it was about recognizing the collective impact we’ve had in shaping Uganda’s financial landscape. My vision is to see more women step into leadership roles in banking and business, equipped with the skills and confidence to lead.
Advice to Young Women in Finance – If you could give your younger self career advice, what would it be?
Make excellence a habit. Boldness, persistence, and a commitment to continuous learning will set you apart. Seek mentorship, embrace challenges, and trust that the pursuit of excellence will always open doors.
What is your vision for the future of women in finance?
I envision a future where women lead confidently in finance and business, supported by access to resources, mentorship, and networks. Mine and dfcu’s role is to ensure that this becomes a reality.
