KAMPALA — The 10th edition of the Uganda CFO Awards has been launched with organisers calling on businesses, government institutions and non-profit organisations to nominate outstanding finance leaders who are shaping growth, accountability and innovation across the country.
The launch, held at Golden Tulip Hotel in Kampala on Thursday, opened a six-week nomination window for the awards organised by ACCA Uganda in partnership with Deloitte Uganda under the theme “A Decade of Excellence; A Legacy of Leadership, Shaping the Future.”
Speaking at the launch, Charlotte Kukunda, Country Manager, ACCA Uganda, said the awards were established to recognise the contribution of Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) and finance professionals in strengthening organisations and Uganda’s economy.
“Our strategic objective was to highlight the integral role played by CFOs and good finance practices that help build resilient businesses, inspiring the next generation of business leaders and CEOs.”
Kukunda said that over the past nine years, the awards have recognised 50 professionals through 76 awards, with women accounting for 33 percent of recognised professionals and receiving 28 percent of the awards.
She noted that the banking and financial services sector has produced the largest number of winners, followed by public sector institutions, SMEs, corporate organisations and not-for-profit entities.
“Every past winner of these awards represents a story of resilience, integrity and visionary leadership that has kept Ugandan businesses sustainable and profitable,” she said.
Kukunda said the role of CFOs has evolved from traditional financial management to strategic leadership. “CFOs are no longer just custodians of numbers and compliance. You have become strategic co-pilots navigating complex economic waters,” she said.
She added that modern finance leaders must embrace digital transformation and sustainability. “Digital transformation and the ESG mandate are no longer optional. They are now core drivers of capital allocation, risk management and investor relations,” she said.
Deloitte Calls for Wider Participation
Joseph Ssekabira FCCA, Associate Director, Assurance at Deloitte Uganda, said the 10th anniversary reflects a decade of commitment to strengthening financial leadership in Uganda.
“At Deloitte, our purpose is to make an impact that matters for our clients, our people and society. This commitment has been evident in the remarkable growth of our CFO Programme,” Ssekabira said.
He said the partnership with ACCA Uganda, which began in 2017, had created a platform for recognising finance professionals who contribute to organisational success.
Ssekabira encouraged organisations across all sectors to participate. “The awards are open to the private and public sectors, not-for-profit organisations, SMEs and all industries. This is an opportunity not only to celebrate outstanding achievements but also to share best practices, inspire future leaders and strengthen the finance profession as a whole,” he said.
CFOs Moving from Numbers to Strategic Leadership
Irene Mwoyogwona FCCA, Executive Director at BRAC Uganda Bank Ltd, said her journey from the Bank of Uganda to executive leadership demonstrated the importance of resilience and adaptability.
She described the CFO role as one that often requires making difficult decisions behind the scenes. “As CFO, much of our work happens behind the scenes. We prepare budgets, analyse performance and often have to make difficult decisions that people may not always want to hear,” Mwoyogwona said.
Mwoyogwona said moving into executive leadership required looking beyond financial numbers. “The biggest adjustment has been moving beyond the numbers. Leadership involves much more than financial performance. Decisions must also consider people, institutional reputation, customer relationships and other stakeholders,” she said.
Godfrey Byekwaso FCCA, Managing Director of Centenary Bank Uganda, said the CFO role provided a strong foundation for executive leadership.
“The CFO role prepares you exceptionally well because it gives you visibility across the entire organisation,” Byekwaso said. “You understand how the institution makes money, how strategy is developed, how performance is measured, how technology investments create value and how different departments contribute to organisational success.”
He said the transition from CFO to CEO requires a broader mindset. “As CFO, you are a functional leader responsible for finance. As Managing Director, you become an enterprise leader responsible for the entire organisation,” Byekwaso said.
He advised potential nominees to focus on authenticity and evidence. “Don’t enter simply to win. Enter to learn, grow and reflect on your professional journey. Tell your authentic story and support it with credible evidence,” he said.
Nominations for the 10th Uganda CFO Awards close on Friday, 18 September 2026, while winners will be announced at a gala dinner on Friday, 16 October 2026, at Kampala Serena Hotel.
2026 Award Categories
The 10th edition of the Uganda CFO Awards will recognise excellence across ten categories.
The Young CFO Award will honour a finance leader aged 35 years or younger who has rapidly advanced into a CFO or Head of Finance role and demonstrated strong financial performance, innovation, strategic thinking and leadership.
The Public Sector Award will recognise exceptional finance leaders working in government ministries, agencies, parastatals and departments who have demonstrated accountability, transparency and effective management of public resources.
The Not-for-Profit Award will celebrate finance leaders who have demonstrated responsible stewardship of donor resources, improved organisational sustainability and enhanced social impact.
The Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) Award will recognise CFOs and Heads of Finance who have strengthened financial performance, unlocked capital, improved operational efficiency and contributed to business growth.
The Compliance and Governance Award will honour finance leaders who have built ethical cultures, strengthened compliance systems and promoted good governance within their organisations.
The Strategy Execution Award will recognise individuals who have played a critical role in translating organisational strategy into measurable results through effective resource allocation, performance management and strategic decision-making.
The Finance Transformation and Technology Award will celebrate leaders who have used technology, automation, data analytics, artificial intelligence and digital solutions to transform finance functions and improve organisational performance.
The Sustainability Award will recognise CFOs who have embedded Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles into organisational strategy, risk management and reporting.
The Leadership Award will honour finance leaders who have demonstrated exceptional people management, mentorship, collaboration and development of future finance professionals.
The CFO of the Year Award will be determined by judges and will recognise the overall outstanding CFO or Head of Finance who has demonstrated sustained excellence, leadership and organisational impact.