Ugandan digital investment platform XENO Uganda has grown its assets under management (AUM) to UGX 98 billion, marking a nearly 28% year-on-year increase as more individuals turn to professionally managed investments to shield their savings from inflation and economic uncertainty.
The company announced the milestone during its Annual General Meeting, revealing that assets rose from UGX 76.6 billion over the past year, underpinned by consistent growth across its four regulated unit trust funds.
The performance comes at a time when investors across East Africa are increasingly prioritising diversified portfolios amid volatile global markets, elevated interest rates and persistent inflationary pressures.
More than 850,000 users across the region now rely on XENO’s goal-based investment platform to save for retirement, education, home ownership and emergency expenses, reflecting a growing appetite for long-term financial planning among retail investors.
Chairman Aeko Ongodia said diversification remains the company’s core investment philosophy.
“We protect the habit by diversifying across four professionally managed unit trust funds. Think of a table with four legs instead of one,” Ongodia said. “We do not ask investors to wager everything on a single outcome. We build something designed to withstand the seasons, because the seasons will always change.”
Bond Fund Remains Growth Engine
XENO’s Uganda Bond Fund remained the firm’s largest investment vehicle, expanding from UGX 60.8 billion to UGX 76.7 billion during the year. The fund generated an average yield of 16.52%, delivering approximately UGX 8.6 billion in profits for investors.
The Money Market Fund, designed for investors seeking liquidity and capital preservation, grew from UGX 12.9 billion to UGX 16.8 billion, posting an average annual yield of 13.37% and generating UGX 1.66 billion in profits.
Meanwhile, XENO’s equity-focused funds delivered the strongest percentage returns.
The Uganda Domestic Equities Fund, which invests in companies listed on the Uganda Securities Exchange, recorded an annual return of 34.58%, growing to UGX 1.45 billion and contributing UGX 317 million in profits.
The Regional Equities Fund, investing across stock markets in Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda, emerged as the top-performing portfolio with an annual return of 45.34%. Assets climbed to UGX 2.99 billion, generating UGX 836 million in profits.
Profits Reflect Real Financial Progress
Country Manager John Kamara said the firm’s unit trust funds generated a combined UGX 11.4 billion in profits during the financial year, representing a 44% increase compared to 2024.
“This UGX 11.4 billion is not just ink on a ledger,” Kamara said. “It represents real progress towards thousands of personalised financial goals, including retirement, education and emergency savings.”
Growing Confidence in Collective Investment Schemes
XENO’s latest results highlight the rising role of collective investment schemes in Uganda’s evolving financial sector.
While traditional savings accounts continue to dominate household finances, digital investment platforms are attracting a new generation of investors seeking higher long-term returns, easier access to financial products and professionally managed portfolios.
Rising financial literacy, wider smartphone penetration and digital-first investment platforms are helping democratise wealth creation, particularly among younger Ugandans who previously had limited access to capital markets.
As Uganda’s investment ecosystem matures, firms capable of combining technology, financial education and regulated investment products are expected to play a larger role in expanding participation in the country’s capital markets while helping more citizens build long-term financial security.