Meet the Leader

For this in-depth feature, we highlight the perspective of Charles Mudiwa, CEO of dfcu Bank, whose transformative leadership has earned national recognition. His “Fired‑Up” turnaround strategy revitalised a struggling institution and reshaped its path forward. CEO Uganda

The Bank’s Evolution & Community Impact

Question: How do you reflect on dfcu Bank’s journey and its impact on Ugandan communities?

Answer (Mudiwa):
“Our evolution from a development financing institution into a full-fledged commercial bank has always revolved around a central mission—economic empowerment. We’ve consistently introduced innovative products and services to meet the dynamic needs of our clients—from SMEs to individual entrepreneurs. Our involvement in key sectors like agribusiness, investment clubs, SACCOs, and women’s entrepreneurship has generated lasting, positive change.” Business Focus

Digital Transformation & Financial Inclusion

Question: How is digitalisation reshaping your operations and customer reach?

Answer:
“Transformation isn’t easy. We’ve deployed a range of smart fintech solutions like the Investment Club App and Mobiloans to meet varied customer needs. We’re streamlining onboarding and credit processing with automation, increasing efficiency and speed. Our agent banking, coupled with instant account opening, lets underserved communities participate in formal banking in just minutes. Soon, we’ll introduce ‘Intelligent Branches’—self-service facilities open 24/7 across the year.” Business Focus

Innovation, Security & Collaboration

Question: What challenges and opportunities come with digital expansion?

Answer:
“Digital adoption brings friction points—cybersecurity threats, fraud risks, and consumer education gaps. We’ve beefed up cyber risk teams, installed fraud detection systems, and partnered with top local and international security firms. Monthly bulletins and SMS alerts inform staff and clients of emerging threats. We believe prevention and awareness are as vital as technology.” ChimpReports

Rebuilding Confidence: The Turnaround Story

Question: Your turnaround moved dfcu from stagnation to renewed growth. What fueled that shift?

Answer:
“When I joined in April 2023, the bank faced declining market share, a flat loan book, and profitability challenges. My Fired‑Up strategy focused on cleaning up the credit portfolio, reinforcing risk discipline, and rebuilding trust. Within a year, we halved non-performing loans, doubled net profit, and saw mobile banking adoption climb by a third. It’s not just numbers—it’s evidence of regained confidence from employees and customers alike.” CEO Uganda

Looking Ahead

Question: What’s next for dfcu, and what would your message be to the sector?

Answer:
“Our recent progress is foundation-building, not culmination. We aim to double our Return on Equity by 2026 through continued sector-focused lending, customer intimacy, and agile digital rollouts. We want to reclaim our position among Uganda’s most profitable banks, with foundations of trust, innovation, and inclusivity.” CEO Uganda

The Broader Context: Fintech, Regulation and Collaboration

Beyond dfcu’s internal strategy, bank CEOs across Uganda are aligning on broader ecosystem trends:

• Gift Shoko (Equity Bank) urges deeper fintech collaboration:
  “Fintechs are the changemakers… We’re opening our APIs and digital rails for co-creation.” PC Tech Magazine
• Augustus Nuwagaba (BoU Deputy Governor) stresses proactive fintech adoption with risk management and digital supervisory tools. Kikubo Lane
• Arthur Isiko (Bank of Africa Uganda’s MD) echoes that innovation must be paired with security:
  “Innovation without security invites disaster.” PC Tech Magazine

Summary Table

Theme	Insight
Transformation Journey	Fired‑Up strategy turned dfcu around in credit quality and profits
Digital Innovation	Agent banking, mobile app, intelligent branches are extending reach
Cybersecurity	Proactive investment in risk controls and customer education
Leadership Vision	Bold targets for ROE and digital growth reflect ambition and confidence
Ecosystem Outlook	Collaboration, fintech integration, and regulatory openness are key