The Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU) has unveiled the winners of the 2023 ICPAU Student Scholarship Programme.
ICPAU received applications from 330 applicants for the 2023 Scholarship Programme from April to June 2023.
The 10 winners considered as the successful beneficiaries for the 2023 Scholarship Programme are listed below.
| S/N | Name | Gender | University | Course |
| 1. | Ocen Innocent | Male | Bugema University | BBA (Accounting) |
| 2. | Isaac Muhumuza | Male | Kyambogo University | BA/Ed |
| 3. | Ssegawa Denis | Male | Mbarara University of Science and Technology | BBAM |
| 4. | Akandinda Laban | Male | Kabale University | BBAM |
| 5. | Immaculate Nakungu | Female | Makerere University Business School | BSc (Accounting) |
| 6. | John Katumwa | Male | Makerere University Business School | BBA |
| 7. | Naome Kayesu | Female | Mbarara University of Scienceand Technology | BBA |
| 8. | Sharon Namutosi | Female | Uganda Christian University | Bsc Econ. &Stat |
| 9. | Stephen Obol | Male | Gulu University | BBA (Finance) |
| 10. | Bonner Nuwagaba | Male | Kyambogo University | BSc (Chemical Engineering) |
“The evaluation process does not forget about special needs people,” said CPA Charles Lutimba, Director Standards of ICPAU who represented the CEO, CPA Derick Nkajja, during the unveiling ceremony of the 5th Cohort of the Student Scholarship Program (SSP) at Skyz Hotel, Naguru.
He said the beneficiaries are a mixture of qualifications. “The roles of accountants are evolving and so are the skillsets and abilities.”
On his part, CPA Ronald Mutumba, Vice President of ICPAU, said the beneficiaries are expected to portray a passion for accountancy.
“They should also be able to appreciate the opportunity by working hard. Have a personal monitoring of your performances and plans.”
CPA Ruth-Doreen Mutebe, the Guest Speaker, gave career tips and encouragement to the beneficiaries of the Student Scholarship Programme (SSP).
“Just because you have obtained the title of CPA doesn’t mean you just sit back and relax. You have to demonstrate that you can deliver,” said CPA Ruth-Doreen, an accountant, businesswoman, and corporate executive, who serves as the Head of Internal Audit at Umeme Limited.
She added: “Being a CPA alone doesn’t necessarily make you credible but gives you the mileage, you must have your own values and principles.”
Scholarship package
The beneficiaries are being awarded scholarships to study the Certified Public Accountants course. The scholarship package covers registration, annual studentship renewal, examination fees, and the cost of study material. The students are scheduled to write their first examinations in May 2024, and they are required to complete the course within two and a half years.
The ICPAU Student Scholarship Programme was introduced in 2019, as part of the Institute’s Corporate Social Responsibility, to nurture young talent in the field of professional accountancy. The programme is in its fifth cycle.
CPA Derick Nkajja, the Chief Executive Officer of the Institute noted the significance of professional accountancy education, “because accountants play pivotal roles in the sustainability of organisations, it is crucial that they are sufficiently skilled through professional accountancy education.”
“CPA is a professional accountancy qualification offered in hundreds of jurisdictions worldwide and the course aims to produce competent professional accountants capable of creating impact in economies,” he added.
The ICPAU Student Scholarship programme targets university graduates from public and private chartered universities who have first-class honours or second-class honours (upper division) degrees. There are currently 50 beneficiaries since the inception of the programme.