{"id":1455,"date":"2026-06-10T15:57:40","date_gmt":"2026-06-10T15:57:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/xavieradioug.com\/news\/148743-2\/"},"modified":"2026-06-10T15:57:40","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T15:57:40","slug":"148743-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/xavieradioug.com\/news\/148743-2\/","title":{"rendered":"BIG WIN! Stanbic Shareholders Shower Karuhanga with Praise as He Lands Top East Africa Role – ONLINE"},"content":{"rendered":"

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During the 20th Annual General Assembly (AGM) of Stanbic Uganda Holdings Limited (SUHL), held last Friday at the Serena Kampala Hotel, one moment transcended the customary rituals of corporate governance: a salute to Francis Karuhanga, SUHL\u2019s outgoing chief executive.After presenting another year of strong financial performance, SUHL Board Chair Baker Magunda informed shareholders that Karuhanga\u2014the Chief Executive who has guided the franchise through one of the most significant leadership transitions in its recent history\u2014would be taking on a bigger assignment within Africa\u2019s largest banking group.Last year, Karuhanga was appointed Regional Chief Executive for Southern and Central Africa within Standard Bank Group and has been double-hutting as the process to appoint his successor went on in the background\u2014an announcement of his successor is expected in due courseChairman Magunda reflected on a leader who had successfully overseen a delicate period of succession while preserving performance, stability and stakeholder confidence across the Group, drawing applause from the shareholder packed venue.The announcement felt less of a farewell and more like a graduation\u2014signifying leadership excellence recognition from Standard Bank Group that Karuhanga had delivered on the assignment that brought him back home in the first place.When he arrived in Uganda at the end of 2023, he was already the most senior Ugandan within the Group\u2019s leadership hierarchy, serving as Group Chief Audit Officer in Johannesburg. His return, according to industry observers, was a strategic deployment at a critical moment for the franchise.As the holding company for Stanbic Bank Uganda, SBG Securities and Stanbic Business Incubator, SUHL was entering a period of significant leadership transition.Andrew Mashanda, whom Karuhanga succeeded at the Holdings level, had earlier been redeployed to the Group as part of his transition into his current role as Africa Regions & Offshore Head for Business and Commercial Banking (BCB).At the same time, within the anchor subsidiary Stanbic Bank Uganda, Anne Juuko was stepping into expanded regional responsibilities as East Africa Head of Global Markets. Meanwhile, SBG Securities was awaiting the appointment of a substantive Chief Executive, same as at Stanbic Business Incubator.For Standard Bank Group, the challenge was straightforward but significant\u2014ensure that leadership changes at the top did not disrupt one of its most important African franchises. Two and a half years later, the evidence presented last Friday suggests the mission was accomplished.The art of continuityLeadership transitions often reveal institutional vulnerabilities, but at SUHL they instead became moments to demonstrate organisational depth and resilience. Each subsidiary has since secured strong, substantive leadership \u2014 with Mumba Kalifungwa appointed Chief Executive of Stanbic Bank, Grace Ssemakula taking the helm at SBG Securities, and Catherine Poran returning from her assignment at Standard Bank Mozambique to lead the Stanbic Business Incubator.One can safely conclude that the leadership choices across the franchise units have paid off, explaining the shareholder applause for Karuhanga at last week\u2019s AGM. For instance, for the year ended December 2025, SUHL delivered profit after tax of UShs591 billion, up 23.6 percent from UShs 478 billion the previous year.Earnings per share increased by 23.6 percent to Shs11.54 from UShs9.34, while return on equity improved from 24.3 percent to 26.8 percent. Total income rose 11 percent to UShs1.44 trillion from Ushs 1.297 trillion, while profit before tax increased 14.1 percent to Ushs 743 billion.\u201cThere have been pockets of doubt in local media regarding the transition, but looking at the numbers, they not of an institution navigating uncertainty. They were the numbers of a franchise executing with confidence,\u201d said an industry observer.That performance continued to be driven by the bank\u2014the anchor subsidiary which is marking 35 years of operations in Uganda. Over the past year, the bank grew customer deposits by 13 percent to Ushs 8 trillion and expanded net customer loans by 16.4 percent to Ushs 5.1 trillion. Operational efficiency also remained strong, with the cost-to-income ratio holding steady at 47.1 percent.Most importantly, the bank maintained its commanding leadership position within Uganda\u2019s banking sector. By the end of 2025, Stanbic Bank Uganda accounted for 19 percent of industry deposits, 21 percent of loans, 21 percent of sector revenues and an impressive 27 percent of industry profitability.SBG Securities steady riseBeyond the bank, Karuhanga\u2019s stewardship of SUHL has seen SBG Securities enjoy a growth streak with Assets Under Management rising 389% to Ushs 538 billion, a surge that lifted the firm to third place among Uganda\u2019s Collective Investment Scheme managers.Additionally, the unit also retained its position as the country\u2019s largest stockbroker, closing the year with a 39% market share. In 2024, it launched the Stanbic Unit Trust, adding more than 4,000 new clients and pushing AUM to the Ushs 538 billion mark.For its efforts, the unit earned \u2018Collective Investment Scheme Manager of the Year\u2019 at the 2025 Capital Markets Authority Industry Awards, reflecting growing confidence in its investment management capabilities.Karuhanga also supported the franchise amplify its purpose\u2014driving Uganda\u2019s growth, deliberately supporting initiatives that show commitment to Uganda\u2019s development agenda.Many local enterprises still struggle to access credit from local banks on account of weak governance, poor bookkeeping, and informal operations. Stanbic Uganda has positioned itself as a solution\u2014through its Business Incubator, helping build the capacity of more than 5,000 Ugandan enterprises through business development programmes, governance training, mentorship and market-access initiatives.Led by Catherine Poran, another Ugandan who returned from deployment in Mozambique to succeed Tony Otoa\u2014the incubator\u2019s pioneering Chief Executive. The incubator\u2019s efforts mainly focus on youth and women-led enterprises are.Throughout his tenure, Karuhanga consistently framed performance through the lens of purpose: \u201cUganda is our home, we drive her growth\u201d is more than a corporate slogan. It is the organising principle around which the franchise has aligned its investments and strategic priorities.The evidence was visible throughout the 2025 results. For instance, across key sectors of the economy, the franchise-maintained lending of Ushs 632 billion to manufacturing, Ushs 598 billion to trade, UShs595 billion to infrastructure, Ushs 425 billion to agriculture and more than Ushs 700 billion invested in local manufacturing facilities spanning agro-processing, packaging, manufacturing inputs and essential consumer goods.Ugandan leadership dividendAs Karuhanga transitions to his new responsibilities, he leaves behind a well anchored business. By the end of 2025, SUHL\u2019s core capital ratio stood at 21.3 percent, more than double the regulatory minimum while total capital adequacy reached 23 percent with Liquidity coverage reaching 354 percent against a regulatory requirement of 100 percent.These are not merely banking metrics. They are indicators of institutional strength. Within the Standard Bank Group, it is also testament of leadership excellence among its Ugandan talent.Karuhanga\u2019s promotion to Regional Chief Executive for Southern and Central Africa is significant not only for what it says about his individual career, but also for what it says about Uganda\u2019s contribution to African corporate leadership.Increasingly, Ugandan professionals are occupying influential positions across Standard Bank Group\u2014Anne Aliker, Africa Regions Head of Corporate and Investment Banking, and Doreen Rwakatungu-Musiime, who succeeded Karuhanga as Group Chief Audit Officer.Karuhanga has often argued that leadership is ultimately measured by the calibre of leaders one leaves behind. By that standard, his legacy extends far beyond financial performance.As Stanbic Bank Uganda celebrates 35 years of operations in Uganda, the wider SUHL franchise finds itself in a position of considerable strength. The anchor subsidiary remains the market leader and principal driver of earnings growth.SBG Securities continues to strengthen its role within Uganda\u2019s capital markets ecosystem. Stanbic Business Incubator is expanding the franchise\u2019s developmental footprint by improving the local enterprises\u2019 governance, competitiveness and bankability.For the jury at SUHL\u2019s 20th AGM, the verdict on Karuhanga\u2019s leadership is clear; he satisfactorily delivered on the assignment and now leaves behind a stronger franchise. And one of Uganda\u2019s own now takes his place on an even bigger stage.About Post Author
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During the 20th Annual General Assembly (AGM) of Stanbic Uganda Holdings Limited (SUHL), held last Friday at the Serena Kampala Hotel, one moment transcended the customary rituals of corporate governance: a salute to Francis Karuhanga, SUHL\u2019s outgoing chief executive.After presenting another year of strong financial performance, SUHL Board Chair Baker Magunda informed shareholders that Karuhanga\u2014the …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1456,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":{"facebook_3659155457675267_172535249438148":""},"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1455","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","","category-news"],"featured_image_urls":{"full":["https:\/\/xavieradioug.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/BIG-WIN-Stanbic-Shareholders-Shower-Karuhanga-with-Praise-as-He.jpg",1389,827,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/xavieradioug.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/BIG-WIN-Stanbic-Shareholders-Shower-Karuhanga-with-Praise-as-He-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/xavieradioug.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/BIG-WIN-Stanbic-Shareholders-Shower-Karuhanga-with-Praise-as-He-300x179.jpg",300,179,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/xavieradioug.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/BIG-WIN-Stanbic-Shareholders-Shower-Karuhanga-with-Praise-as-He-768x457.jpg",618,368,true],"large":["https:\/\/xavieradioug.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/BIG-WIN-Stanbic-Shareholders-Shower-Karuhanga-with-Praise-as-He-1024x610.jpg",618,368,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/xavieradioug.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/BIG-WIN-Stanbic-Shareholders-Shower-Karuhanga-with-Praise-as-He.jpg",1389,827,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/xavieradioug.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/BIG-WIN-Stanbic-Shareholders-Shower-Karuhanga-with-Praise-as-He.jpg",1389,827,false],"tie-small":["https:\/\/xavieradioug.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/BIG-WIN-Stanbic-Shareholders-Shower-Karuhanga-with-Praise-as-He-110x75.jpg",110,75,true],"tie-medium":["https:\/\/xavieradioug.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/BIG-WIN-Stanbic-Shareholders-Shower-Karuhanga-with-Praise-as-He-310x165.jpg",310,165,true],"tie-large":["https:\/\/xavieradioug.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/BIG-WIN-Stanbic-Shareholders-Shower-Karuhanga-with-Praise-as-He-310x205.jpg",310,205,true],"slider":["https:\/\/xavieradioug.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/BIG-WIN-Stanbic-Shareholders-Shower-Karuhanga-with-Praise-as-He-660x330.jpg",660,330,true],"big-slider":["https:\/\/xavieradioug.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/BIG-WIN-Stanbic-Shareholders-Shower-Karuhanga-with-Praise-as-He-1050x525.jpg",1050,525,true]},"author_info":{"info":["Editor"]},"category_info":"News<\/a>","tag_info":"News","comment_count":"0","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/xavieradioug.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1455","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/xavieradioug.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/xavieradioug.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xavieradioug.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xavieradioug.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1455"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/xavieradioug.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1455\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xavieradioug.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1456"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/xavieradioug.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1455"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xavieradioug.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1455"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xavieradioug.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1455"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}