dfcu’s top management in a group photo at the Company’s 61st AGMShareholders of dfcu Limited have approved a dividend payout of UGX16.32 billion at the company’s 61st Annual General Meeting (AGM), held at Hotel Africana on July 15, endorsing the board’s recommendation following improved financial performance for the year ended December 31, 2025.A total of 743 members registered to attend the AGM. As at 11:40am, a total of 372 members were present both physically and virtually, exceeding the quorum required under the company’s legal framework, allowing the meeting to transact business.The approved dividend of UGX21.81 per share, up from UGX20.09 paid for the previous financial year, follows an increase in group profit after tax to Shs74.9 billion from Shs72.1 billion. Earnings per share also rose to Shs100.2 from Shs96.4 in the previous year, supported by stronger performance from the group’s banking subsidiary.Addressing shareholders, Board Chairman Jimmy Mugerwa said 2025 marked the transition from a period of consolidation to one focused on execution and long-term value creation.“As we reflect on 2025, a year that marked the transition from a rigorous period of consolidation to a future defined by execution, I am pleased to report that dfcu Limited has emerged with a sharper sense of purpose,” Mugerwa said.He noted that while 2024 reflected recovery and renewed momentum, 2025 was about strengthening the foundations that will sustain long-term value creation.“Our 62-year journey, which began as a development finance institution, has taught us that longevity demands more than short-term earnings. It requires disciplined stewardship and a deliberate approach to consistently grow the Group’s long-term intrinsic value,” he said.Mugerwa said the Board remained focused on building a stronger, more resilient and future-ready institution by sharpening execution, reinforcing discipline and allocating capital to areas capable of delivering the greatest long-term value.He said the Board evaluated the group’s strategy based on its ability to strengthen the quality and durability of future cash flows rather than temporary profit spikes, adding that 2025 demonstrated the strategy was the right engine for growth.The chairman said stronger operational focus, improved capital efficiency, enhanced subsidiary oversight and closer alignment between strategy, risk management and execution strengthened the quality and durability of the group’s long-term earnings capacity.He told shareholders that the enhanced dividend strikes a balance between rewarding investors while preserving sufficient capital to support future growth opportunities.Governance, resilience and sustainabilityMugerwa said the Board deliberately prioritised resilience over short-term market perceptions as the operating environment continues to evolve amid macroeconomic uncertainty, changing regulations, digital disruption, cybersecurity threats and shifting customer expectations.During the year, he said, the Board strengthened governance oversight, enhanced risk intelligence, reinforced capital management discipline and accelerated investments in technology modernisation and operating platforms.He added that dfcu maintained a strict firewall between dfcu Limited and its subsidiaries — dfcu Bank and the dfcu Foundation — allowing management autonomy while enabling the Board to focus on strategic oversight and capital allocation.The Board also initiated a review of the group’s governance framework in anticipation of evolving Financial Holding Company requirements and a more diversified capital structure.On sustainability, Mugerwa said the group made significant progress in embedding Environmental, Social and Governance considerations into decision-making, while advancing preparations for IFRS S1 and S2 sustainability disclosure standards.He said dfcu continued supporting women entrepreneurs, small and medium-sized enterprises, agribusiness development, financial literacy, green enterprise growth, healthcare access and community empowerment as part of its contribution to Uganda’s socio-economic transformation.Banking performance and outlookThe group’s banking subsidiary, dfcu Bank, posted a profit after tax of Shs81.6 billion, up from Shs75.1 billion in the previous year, reflecting resilient performance despite a challenging operating environment characterised by global economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions.Management attributed the improved financial performance to disciplined cost management, prudent capital allocation and sustained operational execution. The group said it remained focused on supporting Uganda’s productive sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure and small and medium-sized enterprises, while maintaining a strong risk management framework.Looking ahead to 2028, Mugerwa said the group’s priorities include embedding sustainability across the business, deepening stakeholder trust, diversifying revenue streams, strengthening resilience, driving disciplined risk-adjusted growth and modernising its operating model.“We are not building dfcu for a single reporting cycle. We are building an institution capable of delivering value consistently across economic cycles and generations,” he said.He added that the Board remains committed to ensuring dfcu continues creating enduring value for shareholders, customers, employees, regulators and the communities it serves while positioning the group as a resilient engine for Uganda’s socio-economic transformation. 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