By KT Reporter
The Chief Executive Officer of Uganda Baati Ltd has challenged Ugandan professionals to become more competitive and proactive at work, warning that global competition and technology are reshaping opportunities in today’s labour market..
George Arodi made the remarks while addressing graduands at the 2026 graduation ceremony of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU).
Arodi said many Ugandan professionals tend to be laid-back and not aggressive enough to compete with counterparts in other countries, particularly Kenya.
He noted that professions today easily cross borders, making it necessary for professionals to position themselves to compete for opportunities both regionally and internationally.
On the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence and technology in the workplace, Arodi said professionals must stop denying the reality of technological disruption.
He warned that ongoing innovation will continue to reduce employment opportunities in some companies, making it necessary for accountants to become more innovative to remain relevant.
Arodi revealed that companies within the Safal Group, including Uganda Baati, are already considering reducing their workforce by about 15 percent as part of ongoing adjustments to technological changes.
He advised accountants not to focus solely on financial management but to participate in all aspects of an organisation’s operations actively.
According to him, organisations either collapse or thrive depending on the strength and integrity of their accounting systems, making the accountant’s role critical to building trust and preventing fraud.
A total of 412 students graduated during the ceremony. Of these, 378 completed the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) course, 12 completed the Certified Tax Advisor (CTA) course, and 22 graduated with the Accounting Technicians Diploma (ATD). The graduates sat their final examinations in May, August, and December 2025. The ATD cohort was the last group to be assessed directly by ICPAU.
Students who have not yet completed the course will, in the future, be assessed by the Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board.
Nancy Amuge Owino, Chairperson of the Public Accountants Examinations Board, told the graduates that they represent the future of accountability, transparency, and ethical leadership in their respective fields. “The knowledge and skills you have acquired place upon you a responsibility to contribute positively to society and to the growth of our economy,” she said, adding that society views accountants as
custodians of transparency, stewards of good governance, and partners in national development. The message was echoed by ICPAU Council President Timothy David Ediomu, who said the qualifications awarded to the graduates equip them with technical expertise, ethical grounding, and professional judgement needed in today’s complex and rapidly evolving environment.
“As Uganda continues to pursue national development priorities, the need for ethical, skilled, and forward-thinking accountants has never been more critical,” he said.
Although the CPA graduates are now qualified for employment, they will only become fully fledged CPAs after obtaining membership with ICPAU. They currently qualify to enrol as associate members.
ICPAU Chief Executive Officer Derick Nkajja said the Certified Tax Advisor programme is particularly important because Uganda’s economy is largely dominated by the informal sector, much of which remains untaxed.
This, he said, limits the country’s tax base and poses challenges for revenue mobilisation and national development. He advised the graduates to maintain high ethical standards as they apply their knowledge for the benefit of their organisations and the country.
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