By KT Reporter
When the 12th Parliament of Uganda opens in the coming months, at least five members will hold Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) qualifications.
The election of professional accountants to the Parliament of Uganda is being celebrated in sections of the profession.
Some believe that the accountants should take a proactive role in shaping and making policies around the financial sector and generally the economy.
The CPA’s in the 12th Parliament include Protazio Begumisa. He served as Commissioner at the Uganda Revenue Authority. This was his second attempt at a political office.
He defeated Wilfred Nuwagaba in the 2026 contest for the Ndorwa East seat in Kabale. Other CPAs making headlines include Sabina Lubowa, the NUP Woman MP, who surprised Nyendo Mukungwe and Democratic Front leader Mathias Mpuuga; and Mutego Ronald Hanghujja, who replaced Yusuf Mutembuli for Bunyonyi East.
CPA Faith Nakuti Loru, Woman Representative for Napak District, returned to Parliament, and CPA Henry Musasizi, State Minister for Finance, who retained Rubanda East.
Faith Nakuti Loru, outgoing Budadiri East MP Nathan Nandala Mafabi, and Henry Musasizi have been the top performers in Parliament on financial and economic affairs debates.
CPA Timothy Ediomu, President of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU), praised CPA James Nathan Nandala Mafabi for contesting the presidency, highlighting the profession’s potential to contribute to national sustainability, including economic growth, security, and public accountability.
Ediomu made the remarks during the flagging-off of 10 beneficiaries of the ICPAU CPA Scholarships program, a flagship initiative designed to strengthen the professional capacity of young Ugandans.
He stressed that the involvement of accountants in politics enhances Parliament’s capability in oversight, particularly in enforcing public accountability. Mafabi, outgoing Budadiri West MP, exemplifies this role.
He chaired the Committee of the National Economy (2001–2006) and the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) (2006–2011), roles that defined his 25-year parliamentary career. He has also served as Vice-Chair of The Parliamentary Network on the World Bank & IMF.
Henry Musasizi, Mafabi’s Rubanda East counterpart, chaired the Committee on Finance, Planning and Economic Development in the 10th Parliament and has been State Minister for Finance (General Duties) since 2021.
The rising presence of accountants in politics echoes a call from Samuel Sejjaaka, CPA and academic, who challenged accountants to actively participate in public policy-making.
“Very many things are going on in the country. What is our position on these issues? We have kept quiet, yet we have a lot of knowledge,” Sejjaaka said.
He urged accountants to conduct research and provide evidence-based guidance to the government on policy decisions, emphasizing that national challenges such as debt, taxation, and governance require analysis through multiple lenses—economic, political, behavioral, and social.
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