Africa-Press – Uganda. The 2025 Accountancy Service Awards lit up Kampala with celebration and reflection on Friday as the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU) marked ten years of recognising exceptional achievement and impact in the accounting profession.
The highlight of this year’s milestone celebration was the recognition of Gloria Tuhaise Wakooba, Director of Procurement and Disposal at the Bank of Uganda, who was named Accountant of the Year 2025. Wakooba was honoured for her exemplary leadership, integrity, and dedication to the profession and society at large.
With over 17 years of distinguished service in auditing, governance, and public sector leadership, Wakooba has played a pivotal role in advancing Uganda’s financial management systems.
In addition to her work at the central bank—where she also serves as Deputy Director of Administration and Head of the Innovation Hub—Wakooba is widely recognized for mentoring young professionals, empowering women, and advocating for ethical public finance practices.
“This recognition is not just mine; it belongs to every professional who believes in doing the right thing even when no one is watching,” she said, receiving the award to a standing ovation from her peers.
Visibly moved, Wakooba described the honour as a “divine calling to service” and dedicated the award to her family, mentors, and colleagues who have supported her journey.
“To my husband of 23 years—you have truly been the wind beneath my wings, supporting me through every challenge, from late-night studies to caring for our children while I pursued my CPA and ACCA qualifications,” she shared emotionally.
She also paid tribute to her peers in the accounting fraternity: “To my fellow members of ICPAU, I celebrate you—your encouragement helped me achieve my goals. What I do is my way of giving back, and I am so thankful for all the opportunities I have been given.”
In a statement posted on social media, ICPAU described Wakooba as a “symbol of ethical leadership and transformative mentorship,” lauding her for her commitment to knowledge-sharing, council service, and advancing the profession with integrity and vision.
Other Award Winners Honoured for Excellence
Stephen Muchelule, Assistant Manager – Business Risk Services at Grant Thornton Uganda, was named Young Accountant of the Year 2025.
Quality Chemical Industries Ltd (QCIL) won Finance Team of the Year, recognised for excellence in financial strategy and execution.
Irene Mwoyogwona, Head of Finance at Pride Bank and President of the Rotary Club of Najjera, was honoured as Woman Accountant of the Year 2025 for her leadership and community service.
The prestigious ICPAU Gold Service Award was presented to Ben Patrick Kagoro, the Institute’s 6th President, in recognition of nearly three decades of professional leadership and mentorship.
Abdul & Associates received the Accounting Firm of the Year award.
MAT Abacus Business School was named Institutional Partner of the Year, applauded for its commitment to developing accounting professionals through education and training.
A Decade of Professional Recognition
Reflecting on the ten-year journey of the awards, ICPAU Chief Executive Officer Derick Nkajja said, “These awards remind us why we do what we do—to create impact through accountability, mentorship, and excellence.”
Sandra Batte, Chair of the Members’ Service Committee, shared the evolution of the awards from a segment of the annual seminar to a full-fledged national platform for recognising professional excellence. “This is a story of growth, resilience, and transformation,” she said.
Henry Musasizi, Minister of State for Finance and the evening’s Chief Guest, commended ICPAU for its leadership in promoting transparency and professionalism in financial reporting.
He praised Uganda’s commitment to adopting global standards, including the IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards and the development of the upcoming International Non-Profit Accounting Standard (INPAS).
“These initiatives are a sign of Uganda’s alignment with global sustainability and governance goals,” Musasizi noted.
As the awards marked a decade of honouring excellence, the 2025 edition served as both a celebration and a renewed call for integrity, innovation, and leadership in Uganda’s accounting profession.
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