Standard Bank Group shines spotlight on Ugandan talent in major pan-african leadership shifts
These strategic appointments underscore the Group’s dedication to leveraging homegrown talent to drive growth, innovation, and integration across the continent.
In a powerful affirmation of its confidence in local expertise and its commitment to building a robust Pan-African leadership pipeline, Standard Bank Group has announced two significant leadership transitions involving distinguished Ugandan executives.
These strategic appointments underscore the Group’s dedication to leveraging homegrown talent to drive growth, innovation, and integration across the continent.
Mweheire’s Transformational Legacy
The first announcement marks the conclusion of an impactful five-year term for Patrick Mweheire, who has served as Regional Chief Executive (RCE) for East Africa since 2020. His tenure, set to conclude at the end of August 2025, is widely celebrated for turning the East Africa region into a high-performing franchise within Standard Bank Group.
Under Mweheire’s dynamic leadership, the East Africa portfolio—encompassing Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, South Sudan, and Ethiopia—soared to become the second most profitable region across the entire Group.
As the Group noted in its internal communication, “Patrick has been instrumental in organically growing our East African franchise while actively driving collaboration and providing executive sponsorship of our multinational and regional clients.”
Before his regional elevation, Patrick led one of Standard Bank’s most remarkable success stories as Chief Executive of Stanbic Bank Uganda from 2015 to 2020. During this period, he single-handedly propelled the bank to market leadership and unprecedented profitability.
A Harvard MBA graduate and seasoned investment banker, Patrick Mweheire brought a unique blend of global perspective and Pan-African ambition to his leadership style.
While he will be stepping down from his RCE role, Mweheire remains a Senior Executive within Standard Bank Group and will continue to serve as Chief Executive of Stanbic Kenya Holdings.
His deep knowledge, extensive regional experience, and visionary leadership will undoubtedly continue to be invaluable assets to the Group’s broader strategy.
Karuhanga to lead South & Central Africa
Joining the executive elite of Africa’s largest banking group is Francis Karuhanga, whose meteoric rise culminates in his appointment as Regional Chief Executive for South and Central Africa. This remarkable elevation comes barely two years after he took over the leadership of Stanbic Uganda Holdings in January 2024.
Karuhanga is a Fellow of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants (FCCA UK) and holds an MSc in Finance and Accounting, boasting over 23 years of experience in the banking and financial services sector.
Before assuming his role as CEO of Stanbic Uganda Holdings, he served with distinction and strategic foresight as Chief Audit Officer for Standard Bank Group, overseeing Group Internal Audit.
His appointment is a clear signal of the Group’s profound recognition of his deep institutional knowledge, extensive pan-African exposure, and proven ability to lead with clarity, ethics, and unwavering strategic focus.
The Group expressed immense confidence in his capabilities, stating, “Francis has demonstrated exceptional leadership in every role he has held within the Group. We are confident that his understanding of our business, his regional insight, and people-focused leadership will drive continued growth in the South and Central Africa region.”
During the transition period leading up to his new role effective September 1, 2025, Mr. Karuhanga will continue to lead Stanbic Uganda Holdings, ensuring a seamless handover.
Ugandan Talent at the Forefront
These appointments mark a truly proud moment for Uganda’s representation in Pan-African banking leadership. Both Patrick Mweheire and Francis Karuhanga exemplify the exceptional calibre of professionals being nurtured and developed within Uganda, now entrusted with steering multi-market portfolios for the continent’s largest banking group.
Their achievements not only highlight Uganda’s growing contribution to the African financial services landscape but also underscore Standard Bank Group’s deliberate and significant investment in identifying, developing, and empowering African talent to lead the continent’s economic transformation. These leadership transitions are a testament to Standard Bank’s vision of Africa’s growth, powered by its own exceptional people.
