For many Ugandans, paying for electricity, water, television or social security contributions is not hard because of the amount alone. It is hard because of the time, the travel and the queues involved. A delayed payment can interrupt a service, and for a business, a missed statutory obligation can lead to penalties and disruption.
Through its Wenja Amaja campaign, dfcu Bank is bringing banking closer to communities through agents, merchants, branches, activations and digital channels. In this interview, William Kayongo, Head, Enterprise Banking at dfcu Bank, discusses what the campaign means, how customers can settle utility and statutory payments closer to where they live and work, the safeguards that protect their money, and the opportunities it creates for agents, merchants and businesses.
Q: What is Wenja Amaja, and why is dfcu running it?
WILLIAM: Wenja Amaja is a dfcu initiative to make banking more convenient and more accessible. Too often, customers have to go out of their way for a service they need every day. We want to reverse that by taking banking closer to them, through our agents, merchants, branches, activations and alternative channels. We also reward our agents and merchants when they serve customers, so that every solution we offer is available right at the customer’s doorstep. Wenja Amaja is about making banking part of everyday life: closer, easier and more rewarding.
Q: What does “Wenja Amaja” mean?
WILLIAM: It is a call to identify and grow opportunities, for our agents, our merchants and our customers, through convenient banking. It invites customers, agents and businesses to take an active part in banking and to grow together with dfcu.
Q: Why is convenience becoming so important, and what do customers struggle with when paying bills?
WILLIAM: Customers want banking services near them. Modern banking is about accessibility and saving time, and communities need financial services close to where they live and do business. The challenges people face are familiar: long queues, the cost of transport to a service point, and time lost moving from one place to another to pay different bills. Add the risk that a delayed payment leads to an interruption in service, and even the trip to a banking hall becomes an inconvenience in itself.
Q: Which utility payments can customers make through dfcu agents?
WILLIAM: Customers can use dfcu agents to pay for UEDCL electricity, NWSC water bills, DStv, GOtv and Jubilee Insurance. These are the everyday payments people make month after month, and we are promoting them through our agent network so that customers can settle them without leaving their neighbourhood. The benefits are reduced travel costs, less time spent in queues and banking services within easy reach.
Q: What if there is no dfcu branch nearby?
WILLIAM: You can still pay. That is the whole idea of the campaign. We are bringing services closer to customers through a growing network of agents, merchants and alternative channels, so the absence of a nearby branch should not stand between a customer and an essential payment.
Q: Beyond utilities, can customers also settle statutory obligations through agents?
WILLIAM: Yes. Customers can use dfcu agents for statutory settlements, including NSSF contributions and other supported statutory payments. The campaign promotes both utility bill payments and statutory settlements through the dfcu agent network.
Q: Why does this matter for SMEs and business owners, and how does it support growth?
WILLIAM: For a business, these payments are about compliance, and compliance protects you from penalties. When payments are easy to make on time, owners manage cash flow better and avoid the downtime that comes with disruptions.
It also gives business owners their time back. When you are not travelling from one payment point to another, you can focus on your core business. Transactions are processed faster, record keeping is easier and the administrative burden is lighter. Business owners should spend their time growing their businesses, not standing in payment queues.
Q: What exactly is a dfcu agent, and what else can customers do at an agent point?
WILLIAM: A dfcu agent is an approved business or individual who provides selected banking services on behalf of the bank, after meeting our onboarding and compliance requirements. Beyond utility and statutory payments, customers can make deposit transactions, access everyday banking services and get convenient customer support within their communities.
Q: How can a customer be sure they are dealing with a genuine dfcu agent?
WILLIAM: Look for the official dfcu Agent Banking signage. You can also visit www.dfcugroup.com, or call our toll-free lines, 0800 222000 or 0800 777000, and our team will guide you.
Q: Many people worry about the safety of their money. Are deposits protected?
WILLIAM: Yes. dfcu Bank is regulated by the Bank of Uganda, and customer deposits are protected through the Deposit Protection Fund of Uganda up to the applicable limit of UGX 10 million, subject to applicable terms and conditions. Customers can also take confidence from the fact that we work with verified agents, use secure transaction channels and provide dedicated helplines for support.
Q: Wenja Amaja also speaks of opportunity. What does that look like for agents, merchants and businesses?
WILLIAM: Customers get banking closer to them. Agents attract more customers and more business. Merchants gain convenient ways to collect payments, and businesses enjoy easier settlements and support. For anyone interested in becoming a dfcu agent, the benefits include an additional income opportunity, increased customer footfall, the ability to serve your community and access to campaign rewards where applicable.
Q: What would you like customers, agents and businesses to take away from this campaign?
WILLIAM: Banking should fit into your life, not take over your day. Whether you are paying for power, water, TV or NSSF, you can do it closer to home, more securely and in less time. Wenja Amaja is our invitation to every customer, agent and business to find the opportunity in everyday banking and grow with dfcu.
