ACCA opens nominations for 10th Uganda CFO Awards

Kampala, Uganda | JULIUS BUSINGE | Nominations for the 10th edition of the Uganda CFO Awards have officially opened, with finance leaders across the public, private and not-for-profit sectors encouraged to showcase how they are driving business growth, strengthening governance and shaping the country’s economic future.

The six-week nomination window was launched on Aug. 6 at the Golden Tulip Canaan Hotel in Kampala under the theme, “A Decade of Excellence, A Legacy of Leadership Shaping the Future.”

Organised by ACCA Uganda in partnership with Deloitte Uganda, the awards have over the past decade evolved into one of the country’s leading platforms for recognising chief financial officers (CFOs) and finance professionals whose leadership has transformed organisations and inspired the next generation of business executives.

The nomination exercise will close on Sept. 18, with winners set to be unveiled during a gala dinner at Kampala Serena Hotel on Oct. 16.

Speaking at the launch, Charlotte Kukunda, the country manager of ACCA Uganda, said the awards were established to celebrate finance leaders whose work has strengthened businesses and contributed to Uganda’s economic development.

“Ten years is a significant milestone. We have built a legacy of recognising financial leadership that has strengthened organisations across Uganda, and we are now looking forward to a new era of transformation,” Kukunda said.

She said the awards have evolved alongside the changing role of finance leaders, noting that today’s CFOs are no longer confined to producing financial reports but have become strategic leaders helping organisations navigate economic uncertainty, digital transformation and sustainability.

“CFOs have moved from being gatekeepers of compliance to becoming growth drivers and trusted advisers in the boardroom. They are helping organisations navigate global disruptions while embracing digital transformation and Environmental, Social and Governance principles,” she said.

According to ACCA, the awards have recognised 50 finance professionals over the last nine years through 76 awards. About one-third of the winners have been women, while the banking, financial services and insurance sector has accounted for more than half of all awards presented.

Other winners have come from the public sector, corporate organisations, small and medium enterprises and the not-for-profit sector.

Kukunda said the awards have helped elevate the profile of CFOs, encouraged finance professionals to take on broader leadership responsibilities and created a community where finance leaders continuously share knowledge and best practices.

She called on organisations, boards, chief executives and finance professionals to nominate deserving candidates or encourage CFOs to submit their own entries.

The nomination process is open to public and private organisations, not-for-profit entities and SMEs. Candidates may be nominated by employers, boards of directors, colleagues, business partners or may nominate themselves by submitting evidence of their achievements, leadership, governance practices, innovation and organisational impact.

An independent panel of judges will assess entries before shortlisted finalists undergo interviews and further verification ahead of the final awards.

Godfrey Byekwaso, the managing director of Centenary Bank and a former Chief Financial Officer, said the finance function has become one of the strongest pathways to executive leadership because it provides a deep understanding of how organisations create value.

“The CFO role prepares you to understand the business model and how an organisation makes money. As a finance leader, you are not just responsible for numbers; you become an enterprise leader looking at the wider organisation and the value it creates for society,” he said.

Byekwaso said the awards should be viewed as an opportunity for professional growth rather than simply winning a trophy.

When submitting your nomination, tell your story and support it with evidence. Show how you have helped your organisation grow and how you have developed other people. Even if you do not win, the process itself helps you reflect, improve and create greater impact at your workplace,” he said.

He added that the journey from CFO to chief executive requires strong governance, accountability, compliance, risk management and people leadership.

“CFOs are no longer number crunchers. They are advisers to chief executives and drivers of business strategy. These awards encourage finance leaders to continue on that trajectory,” he said.

Irene Mwoyogwona, Executive Director of BRAC Uganda Bank, said the awards provide recognition not only for individual finance leaders but also for the teams that support them.

“The awards remind finance professionals that what they do matters. They build confidence, increase visibility for the individual, the organisation and the profession, while recognising the teams behind every success,” she said.

Joseph Ssekabira, Associate Director, Assurance at Deloitte Uganda, said the awards have become an important platform for sharing best practices and strengthening Uganda’s finance profession.

“For a decade, the Uganda CFO Awards have highlighted the critical contribution finance leaders make to their organisations and communities. They provide an opportunity to celebrate excellence, inspire future leaders and make an impact that matters,” he said.

He encouraged organisations from all sectors, including financial services, energy, telecommunications, media, real estate, retail, manufacturing and the public sector, to participate in this year’s competition.

With the nomination window now open, organisers expect another competitive edition as finance leaders seek recognition for excellence in leadership, governance, innovation, sustainability and strategic business transformation.

This year’s awards will recognise winners across nine competitive categories, culminating in the Overall CFO of the Year Award, which celebrates the country’s outstanding finance leader.