Standard Bank Group, the parent company of Stanbic Uganda, has today announced major leadership changes involving two Ugandan senior executives, Patrick Mweheire and Francis Karuhanga.
In a statement, the bank said the changes highlight the bank’s trust in Ugandan talent to lead its operations across Africa.
“These appointments mark a proud moment for Uganda’s representation in Pan-African banking leadership. Both Patrick and Francis exemplify the calibre of professionals being developed within Uganda and entrusted with steering multi-market portfolios for the continent’s largest banking group,” the bank said.
But what do these moves mean for the bank, its customers, and the executives involved? And specifically, what do the changes mean for Patrick Mweheire, a key figure in the bank’s success?
Mweheire, who has led the East Africa region (including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, South Sudan, and Ethiopia) since 2020, will step down as Regional Chief Executive (RCE) for East Africa at the end of August 2025. During his five years, the bank says he turned East Africa into one of the bank’s most profitable regions, helping businesses and customers grow through better services and teamwork across countries.
The bank said Mweheire is not leaving Standard Bank. After stepping down as RCE for East Africa, he will remain a senior executive in the group and continue leading Stanbic Kenya Holdings as its Chief Executive. His deep experience in banking, including his time as an investment banker and his Harvard MBA, will keep him as a key player in the bank’s strategy.
Mweheire’s past success in making Stanbic Bank Uganda a market leader and boosting East Africa’s performance means he will likely focus on growing the bank’s business in Kenya and supporting the group’s bigger goals.
Meanwhile, Karuhanga, currently the head of Stanbic Uganda Holdings, will take on a bigger role as RCE for South and Central Africa starting September 1, 2025. This region includes several countries where Standard Bank operates. Karuhanga’s promotion shows the bank’s confidence in his ability to lead with honesty, smart planning, and a focus on people. He has over 23 years of experience and has held important roles, like overseeing the bank’s internal audits, before leading Stanbic Uganda.
These changes, the statement noted, are part of Standard Bank’s plan to use talented African leaders to drive growth and innovation.
It could be argued that by promoting Ugandan executives to lead large regions, the bank is showing that it values skills and experience from Uganda to shape its future across the continent.
What it means for Uganda
For some business analysts, having two Ugandan executives in such high-profile roles is a big deal for Uganda. It shows that Ugandan professionals are trusted to lead major operations for one of Africa’s biggest banks. This could inspire more young Ugandans to aim for leadership roles in finance and show the world that Uganda is producing top talent.
Therefore as Karuhanga steps into his new role, he will work to grow Standard Bank’s presence in South and Central Africa, building on his experience in Uganda. Meanwhile, Mweheire will continue to influence the bank’s success from Kenya, using his skills to support the bank’s mission of connecting African businesses and customers.
