Kampala, Uganda — October 18, 2024 — Uganda’s premier platform for recognizing excellence in financial leadership is back with its 8th edition of the ACCA and Deloitte Uganda Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Awards. This prestigious event focuses on celebrating outstanding financial leaders who have made significant contributions to their organizations and the economy.
Charlotte Kukunda, Country Manager ACCA Uganda noted that the 8th edition of the CFO Awards is a celebration of success and growth because it has attained its objective of raising the profile of the CFO role and functions and continues to highlight the good business and finance practices that they’ve deployed to create more sustainable outcomes for their businesses.
In the last 7 years, 38 professionals have won 55 CFO Awards, of which 29% of these professionals are female, taking 27% of the awards. The breakdown of the sectors shows 36% of the awards have been won by the banking sector, the Corporate sector 20% (with Telecom 5%), the public sector and SMEs 15% each, Not Profit 10%, and Insurance 4%.
This is most likely attributed to the regulation and competitive landscape of the financial services industry. She also noted that interest and participation in the awards has equally grown from 22 professionals with 61 nominations in 2017 to 60 professionals participating with 380 nominations in 2024.
Paul Ssali, Country Managing Partner at Deloitte Uganda highlighted the significance of the theme “Pushing Boundaries, Exploring the Growth Mindset” which comes at a crucial time when CFOs are required to provide leadership on emerging issues, and implored all CFOs to take advantage of the growth and mentorship spaces like the quarterly CFO network forums hosted by Deloitte & ACCA aimed at networking and discussing topical issues.
Delivering the keynote address on the event theme, Baker Magunda, Board Chairman of Stanbic Bank Uganda Holdings Ltd tasked finance leaders to improve themselves through continued effort, learning, and persistence while building the right attitude, especially in the face of failure, creating the right environment for success and believe that “Growth exists in the realm of reality”.
The Deputy Governor, Dr. Michael Atingi- Ego as the Chief Guest further challenged finance leaders to embrace technology and drive the sustainability agenda due to the increasing issues like climate change to ensure business continuity and a sustainable future.
The awards ceremony honored CFOs across 10 categories, showcasing the diversity and impact of financial leadership in various sectors as judged by a panel led by Sanjay Rughani, CEO of Standard Chartered Bank, Dorothy Kabagambe Ssemanda- CEO of ATC Uganda, Andrew Bugembe- CFO of MTN Uganda and winner 2023 CFO of the Year Award, Lilian Katiiso- CEO Zaddock Associates, Julius Kakeeto- CEO Post Bank (U) Ltd, Byekwaso Godfrey- CEO Centenary Bank Malawi and Jennifer Muhuruzi Birigwa- Acting Director, Treasury Services and Asset Management Accountant General’s Office at Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development.
Awards Categories and winners:
- CFO of the Year Award – Kate K. Kiiza, CFO and Executive Director, DFCU Bank
- Strategy Execution Award – Ronald Makata, Chief Finance and Value Management Officer, Stanbic Bank Uganda Limited
- Finance Transformation and Technology Award – Kate K. Kiiza, CFO and Executive Director, DFCU Bank
- Compliance & Governance Award – Peter Ssenyange CFO Post Bank Uganda Limited
- Leadership Award – Nirav Patel, CFO of Steel & Tube Industries
- Sustainability Award – Andrew Oyie FCCA. CPA – Chief Financial Officer at UMEME Limited
- Public Sector Award – Jacqueline Kiwanuka, CFO Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL).
- SME Award – Simon Jordan Mugisha FCCA – Head of Finance, Movit Products Ltd
- Not for Profit Award – Robert Kakooza FCCA, CFO at One World Health
- Young CFO Award – Andrew Oyie FCCA. CPA – Chief Financial Officer UMEME Limited
The overall winner, Kate Kiiza took home 2 business class return air tickets while a lucky draw participant, Patricia Naggawa from NCBA Bank won a return air ticket sponsored by Uganda Airlines.
This year’s awards are sponsored by MTN Uganda, Bank of Uganda, Uganda Airlines, NCBA Bank, NBS TV, Osela Technologies, Uganda Printing and Publishing Corporation (UPPC), and CEO East Africa Magazine.
Post the awards, ACCA Uganda will host a member’s convention themed: Empowering finance professionals for a sustainable future from 13th to 15th November at Speke Resort Munyonyo.
