KAMPALA — Uganda’s top financial minds were celebrated on Thursday evening at the 9th Edition of the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Awards, an event that shone a spotlight on excellence, innovation, and leadership within the country’s finance profession.
Jointly organized by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Uganda and Deloitte Uganda, the prestigious awards recognize finance professionals who are driving business transformation and contributing to national development.
This year’s ceremony, themed “CFO Vision: Creating Impact and Legacy,” urged financial leaders to go beyond numbers and embrace their broader responsibility as strategic enablers of sustainable growth and ethical leadership.
Ms. Charlotte Kukunda, Country Manager at ACCA Uganda, shared that the 2025 awards recorded 546 nominations from 63 CFOs, reflecting a 30 percent rise in participation from the previous year.
“We launched the awards on July 17, and in less than two months, we received record engagement from across the country. This shows that the finance profession is becoming more dynamic and inclusive,” she said.
For the first time, nominations came from districts such as Nakapiripirit, Nebbi, Kakumiro, Lira, and Kitgum, signaling growing participation from public sector finance officers.
“It’s encouraging to see district accountants stepping forward,” Kukunda added. “This proves that financial leadership excellence is no longer confined to the corporate world.”
The banking and insurance sectors remained strong contenders, with 13 CFOs from financial institutions making it to the final shortlist.
Mr. Paul Ssali, Country Managing Partner at Deloitte Uganda, noted that while the awards celebrate achievement, they also prompt self-reflection among finance leaders.
“Legacy is about the values we live by, the people we mentor, and the impact we create,” Ssali said. “As we honour tonight’s winners, we must ask—what kind of legacy are we building for our organizations and our country?”
He also revealed that the 10th Anniversary of the CFO Awards next year will feature expanded opportunities for mentorship, networking, and leadership development.
Delivering the keynote address, Mr. Patrick Ayota, Managing Director of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), urged CFOs to think beyond traditional financial roles and become strategic innovators.
“Finance touches every decision in an organization. True impact comes when CFOs help create revenue, boost efficiency, and collaborate across teams to find solutions,” Ayota said.
He likened effective CFOs to storytellers who can interpret numbers to guide vision and decision-making.
The Chief Guest, Mr. James Bantu, Assistant Auditor General at the Office of the Auditor General, applauded the continued growth of Uganda’s finance leadership community.
“In just eight editions, 45 CFOs have been recognized with 65 awards. This speaks to the evolving influence of finance professionals as stewards of institutional integrity and innovation,” Bantu remarked.
He encouraged CFOs to play a pivotal role in Uganda’s economic transformation by championing transparency, fiscal responsibility, and strategic growth.
“CFOs are no longer mere accountants—they are architects of strategy, custodians of ethics, and drivers of innovation,” he emphasized.
Winners of the 9th CFO Awards
Not-for-Profit Award: Bob Okodi – Finance Manager, Amref Health Africa
SME Award: Amanda Ayebare – CFO, AutoXpress Uganda Limited
Leadership Award: Irene Mwoyogwona – Head of Finance, Pride Bank Limited
Finance Transformation & Technology Award: Ronald Makata – CFO, Stanbic Bank Uganda
Strategy Execution Award: Emmanuel Mugagga – CFO, Uganda National Oil Company
Compliance & Governance Award: Fredrick Kakooza – CFO, Quality Chemical Industries Limited and Ronald Makata – CFO, Stanbic Bank Uganda
CFO of the Year (First Runner-Up): Ronald Makata – CFO, Stanbic Bank Uganda
CFO of the Year (Winner): Peter Ssenyange – CFO, PostBank Uganda Limited
As the awards approach their 10th anniversary, ACCA Uganda and Deloitte reaffirmed their commitment to nurturing financial talent through mentorship programs, networking opportunities, and professional development initiatives.
“These awards go beyond recognition—they shape a generation of finance leaders who will build lasting impact and legacy,” Ms. Kukunda said.