Anne Juuko, former CEO of Stanbic Bank Uganda, has been appointed Director General of the East African Development Bank (EADB), according to sources familiar with the development.
Juuko is expected to take up the role in the fourth quarter of 2026, potentially in October, although EADB had not publicly announced the appointment as of September 27.
Her appointment would bring an end to a prolonged leadership search at the Kampala-based regional development finance institution, which has operated with an Acting Director General since January 2025.
Ending a prolonged leadership search
EADB has been without a substantive Director General since Vivienne Yeda retired on December 31, 2024, after 17 years with the bank.
Benard Paul Mono, formerly the bank’s Head of Finance, has served as Acting Director General since January 2025 while the institution conducted its recruitment process.
The substantive position was advertised in 2025, with PwC Uganda handling the recruitment process. Applications closed in April 2025, with the role carrying a five-year term that can be renewed once based on performance.
Juuko’s expected appointment would therefore close a leadership transition that has lasted significantly longer than initially anticipated.
When contacted about the reported appointment, Juuko declined to comment.
A return to the CEO seat
Juuko brings more than two decades of experience across banking, treasury and financial markets.
She joined Standard Bank Group in 2012 and held several senior positions, including Head of Global Markets at Stanbic Bank Uganda and Head of Corporate and Investment Banking at Standard Bank Namibia.
In March 2020, she returned to Uganda as CEO of Stanbic Bank Uganda, becoming the first Ugandan woman to lead the bank.
She held the position until March 2024 before moving into the role of Regional Head, East Africa for Global Markets at Standard Bank Group. In that position, she oversaw operations across Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Malawi and Zambia.
Juuko left Standard Bank Group in November 2025 after a 13-year career with the organisation.
Before joining Standard Bank, she also worked at Citibank, building experience in treasury, fixed income, currencies and financial markets.
Taking on a development finance mandate
At EADB, Juuko would move from commercial and investment banking into development finance.
The regional institution finances projects across sectors including infrastructure, manufacturing, agriculture, tourism and financial services, with a mandate focused on supporting sustainable economic development across its member states.
EADB’s assets stood at approximately US$520 million at the end of 2025, according to its latest financial disclosures.
That compares with the roughly US$2.45 billion in assets reported by Stanbic Bank Uganda at the end of 2023, when Juuko was leading the franchise.
If formally confirmed, Juuko will take charge of EADB at a time when the institution is transitioning from a prolonged period of interim leadership and seeking to deepen its role in financing economic development across East Africa.
