The Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU) has announced that the December 2025 Accounting Technicians Diploma (ATD) examination will be the last diet conducted under its Professional Accountants Examination Board (PAEB).
The announcement was made during the August 2025 CPA(U) examination results release held at Skyz Hotel, Naguru, Kampala, on Monday, September 22, 2025.
CPA Nancy Amuge Owino, Chairperson of PAEB, reminded ATD students of the impending transition. “December 2025 will be the last ATD exam diet under ICPAU. From 2026, ATD exams will transition to the Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board (UVTAB). We shall communicate the modalities before year-end,” she said.
The move is part of a broader effort to align accountancy training in Uganda with national policy.
UVTAB, established in 2025 under the TVET Act and operating under the Ministry of Education and Sports, is responsible for assessing and certifying competencies gained through technical and vocational education. The body aims to provide high-quality certification that equips individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to drive national development and socio-economic transformation.
CPA Derick Nkajja, ICPAU CEO and Secretary, explained the rationale behind the transition: “Government policy stipulates that all diplomas should be assessed or examined by the appropriate bodies. The ATD diploma was initially established to address a gap over 20 years ago. Now, it is time to transfer this responsibility to the right body, UVTAB. The emphasis going forward will be on professionalising the entire spectrum of accountancy training, working collaboratively with universities, professional advice groups, and other responsible institutions.”
ICPAU has also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting students throughout this transition. CPA Owino highlighted ongoing student engagement initiatives designed to improve performance.
“We hold virtual and free-of-charge engagement activities to help students prepare for their exams. Following the release of the May results, we conducted two sessions on July 29 and 30. More engagement activities are planned in October for December exam candidates, and we encourage all students to attend,” she said.
Briefing sessions were also conducted immediately before the August exam diet on August 19 and 20, and similar sessions will be organised before the December exams, with details to be communicated in due course.
The ATD course, a longstanding pathway into the accountancy profession, has produced thousands of graduates over the years. As the transition to UVTAB approaches, students are urged to complete their qualifications on time or follow the guidance provided by ICPAU to migrate smoothly to the new system.
“The move to UVTAB ensures that diploma-level accountancy training is aligned with national standards while ICPAU focuses on professional qualifications that drive Uganda’s economic growth,” CPA Nkajja added.
ICPAU’s proactive approach aims to minimise disruption for students and maintain the quality of accountancy education in Uganda, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared for the professional demands of the sector.
