By KT Reporter
Staff in the finance and accounting departments of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development are to be facilitated to become certified accountants (CPA).
The Accountants Act 2013 provides that senior accountancy and finance roles in government ministries , departments and agencies and Non-governmental Organisations are held by professional accountants. This requires them to be certified by the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda ICPAU.
State Minister Henry Musasizi, himself a CPA, this will be part of the ministry’s efforts to strengthen accountability in the public sector.
“We will support our cadre to professionalise through ICPAU and after they qualify, we will continue to support their membership journeys as well as their continuing professional development,” Musasizi told the 10th Accountancy Standards Awards (ASA), adding, “We will continue to offer financial support as resources permit.”
By becoming a certified accountant, one puts oneself up for constant scrutiny by ICPAU, which has the mandate to delicense an errant practitioner and banning them from practicing anywhere.
At the same event, Derick Nkaja, the ICPAU Chief Executive Officer, urged accountants and the public in general to always report any suspected unprofessional behaviour to the institute which has developed a disciplinary mechanism.
“My call today is for you to ensure that when you see anything that tries to dent the work of accountants or the principles of accountancy, please notify the Institute so that the disciplinary function can also grow to weed out those that are trying to tarnish the name of the profession,” Nkaja said.
The standout recognitions included the Media Personality of the Year award that went to veteran UNC TV reporter, Deogratius Habimana.
“His consistency, dedication, and excellence in reporting have amplified the visibility and impact of the accountancy profession for decades,” noted the citation Habimana’s, who covered the first accountants seminar in 1996.
The Unique Humanitarian Service Award was scooped by Ann Ssebunya especially as an advocate and promoter of the “Drugs Hapana initiative, and tireless fight for mental health awareness and drug abuse prevention, which is transforming communities across Uganda.”
Irene Mwoyogwona, Head of Finance at Pride Bank and President Rotary Club of Najjera, was named the Woman Accountant of the Year 2025.
“Her transformational leadership, mentorship, and community service are a true inspiration to the profession,” read the citation.
The highest honours went to CPA Ben Patrick Kagoro who won the ICPAU Gold Service Award.
Kagoro was recognised for his 28 years of “dedicated service, his legacy in nurturing talent, strengthening governance, and elevating professional standards, which continue to inspire generations of accountants.”
Minister Musasizi called for greater integrity in the sector saying that while service is noble, “to serve with excellence is honourable and should be our goal”.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord, not for human masters,” he quoted from the Bible.
The Minister revealed that the government was fast-tracking the adoption of accrual accounting among public sector organisations as the country moved towards IPSAS (International Public Sector Accounting Standards).Accrual accounting is a method that records business revenue and expenses when they are earned or incurred, not necessarily when cash is exchanged. It therefore provides a more accurate picture of an entity’s financial performance and position by matching revenues and their related expenses in the same accounting period.
He said that therefore, the awards were not just about recognising outstanding professionals, but about reaffirming the values of excellence, service patriotism.
Timothy Ediomu, ICPAU Council President urged accountants to work towards creating impact, saying that accountancy was not just about numbers.”They excel professionally, uphold accountability, integrity, innovation and leadership.”
Uganda completed its International Financial Reporting Framework, which he says, puts Uganda “ahead in global sustainability standards”.
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