Overview:
Absa Bank Uganda has invested 40 million shillings in a local bamboo wheelchair venture to provide durable, eco-friendly mobility solutions for children in the Rwenzori region.
FORT PORTAL, Uganda — Absa Bank Uganda has invested 40 million shillings into a local bamboo wheelchair venture, signaling a push for inclusive growth and support for domestic manufacturing in the Rwenzori region.
The investment, delivered to the Kyaninga Child Development Centre, is aimed at scaling the production of specialized mobility equipment while providing therapy and nutrition for children with disabilities.
David Wandera, Managing Director of Absa Bank Uganda, said the move is part of the bank’s broader citizenship agenda to address social challenges through sustainable investments.
“2.5 million children living with disabilities in Uganda remain excluded from school due to challenges with mobility,” Wandera said. “As Absa, we are proud to support the Kyaninga bamboo wheelchair project with this humble investment into the dignity and educational future of these children.”
A significant portion of the funds, 27 million shillings, was directed toward a fleet of wheelchairs produced by Kyaninga Mobility. These units are manufactured using 75 percent locally sourced bamboo, offering a durable and cost-effective alternative to expensive metallic imports that are often difficult to maintain in rural landscapes.
The venture supports the government’s Buy Uganda, Build Uganda initiative by leveraging local materials and labor. The wheelchairs are engineered to international ISO standards and feature a high strength-to-weight ratio, making them ideal for the rugged terrain of western Uganda.
Steven Leonard Williams, founder of the Kyaninga Child Development Centre, said the partnership with Absa validates the commercial and social value of eco-friendly, locally made assistive technology.
The remaining portion of the investment will fund educational resources and specialized nutrition programs for the more than 1,000 children who receive care at the center each month.