ADDRESS BY CPA TIMOTHY DAVID EDIOMU, PRESIDENT OF THE INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS OF UGANDA, AT THE 30TH ICPAU ANNUAL SEMINAR, ON 3 SEPTEMBER 2025, AT IMPERIAL RESORT BEACH HOTEL, ENTEBBE

SALUTATIONS AND PRELIMINARIES

Our Chief Guest, Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among, Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Uganda,
Our Keynote Speaker, Mr Peter Kimbowa, PK as he is fondly known,

The Immediate Past President of the Pan African Federation of Accountants, CPA Keto Kayemba (If she would please stand for recognition)
ICPAU Past Presidents (I invite them to stand for recognition): 1^st  president CPA George Egaddu, 2^nd president CPA David Opiokello, 4^th president CPA Joseph Baliddawa (attending online), 6^th president CPA Ben Patrick Kagoro, 7^th president CPA Protazio Begumisa, 8^th president CPA Frederick Kibbedi, and 9^th president CPA Constant Othieno Mayende,
Council and Committee Members present,
Our colleagues from the East African Community Institutes of Accountants, Mr Heri Mnzava and CPA Nuru Mwasha from the National Board of Accountants and Auditors of Tanzania, Mr Amin Miramago the CEO of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Rwanda who is joined by Ms Smaya Umutoni, and Mr Jean Leonard Bigirimana the CEO of OPC Burundi. We also have colleagues from Kenya, Ms Lucy Onyango and Ms Linda Wambua. Karibu Uganda. Welcome home. It’s always an absolute honour to have you with us. (Let’s appreciate them one more time)

Distinguished speakers,

Our partners and participants,
Media practitioners,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning, and welcome to the 30^th ICPAU Annual Seminar.

I would like to begin by congratulating our colleagues from the EAC Institutes of Accountants that have just concluded change of leadership this year. Congratulations to you all, and we look forward to working together to grow the profession in East Africa. Pamoja tuijenge Afrika Mashariki (together, let’s build East Africa).

30^TH ICPAU ANNUAL SEMINAR

It fills my heart with joy to stand before you at this special milestone, thirty years of Uganda’s most premium seminar for the accountancy profession. We thank the almighty God for enabling us to reach this far. And as we celebrate this milestone, I am filled with gratitude to those who have walked this journey with us. We thank our partners who have generously supported us throughout the thirty years, and we thank you the participants for making the Annual Seminar what it is today. The ICPAU Annual Seminar has transformed into the largest gathering of professionals in Uganda, attracting nearly 2,000 delegates, and this is because of you, the participants.

A round of applause for yourselves, ladies and gentlemen.

//Audience applause//

Shortly, our first president, CPA George Egaddu will indulge us in some rich history about the Annual Seminar. I know he is quite the storyteller, and I’m certain you will enjoy the history, like one of those fireside folktale moments that we looked forward to when we were little.

LAUNCH OF THE ROADMAP FOR THE ADOPTION OF IFRS SUSTAINABILITY DISCLOSURE STANDARDS

Ladies and gentlemen, the 30-year commemoration of the Annual Seminar coincides with a significant milestone in our sustainability reporting journey as a country. As we unpack the theme, positioning professionals for sustainable impact, I am pleased, that today, we are launching the Roadmap for the adoption of the IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards in Uganda, having adopted these standards in September last year. Climate action is at the heart of our sustainability agenda. Every effort is worth noting. Therefore, at 12.00 noon today, we will witness history as Uganda makes public her commitment to complying with the IFRS sustainability disclosure standards through launching the adoption roadmap. You are all invited to this important ceremony, which positions Uganda among the frontrunners in sustainability compliance.

RESEARCH

Research and innovation are fundamental to organisational sustainability. As the national Professional Accountancy Organisation, our desire is to grow the body of knowledge for accountancy information to support evidence-based innovation and research-driven reforms, and data-based policy formulation. We have introduced an annual research conference to provide a platform for accountants and other researchers to disseminate the findings of their studies in accountancy-related research.

The first research conference will be held on 14^th November, 2025. During this conference, we will disseminate the results of two ICPAU studies which were commissioned in 2024. These are: 1) factors affecting performance of CPA Subjects: perspectives from students, graduates, tutors and examiners, and 2) cost-benefit analysis of implementing the IFRS for SMEs Accounting Standard in Uganda. Other researchers will also have the opportunity to present their papers. Therefore, researchers, practitioners, policymakers and graduate researchers are encouraged to submit their abstracts to the Institute for the opportunity to be selected to present their papers during the first research conference. Please visit the ICPAU website for details on how to participate. Let me also take this opportunity to invite you all to the first ICPAU Research Conference. Come, and let’s gain vital insights for growing our profession and moving our country forward.

APPRECIATION TO PARTNERS

As I conclude, I would like to appreciate our partners for their support. Ladies and gentlemen, the 30^th Annual Seminar has attracted a record number of partners – the highest that we have received since we began hosting the Annual Seminar.

A round of applause for the partners of the 30th Annual Seminar, ladies and gentlemen.

//Audience applause//

Because of the large number, I am unable to read the names of all the partnering organisations at this moment. However, I have been advised that we shall hold a special recognition ceremony for them. Please permit me, to only mention the silver partners, the Deposit Protection Fund, the Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited and KPMG. And if the representatives from DPF and UEGCL are present, would you please stand for recognition.

Let’s appreciate them, please

//Audience applause//

INTRODUCING THE CHIEF GUEST

At this moment Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my honour to invite our Chief Guest, Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among, the Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Uganda. Rt. Hon. Speaker, we are privileged to host you at this landmark edition of our Annual Seminar. Your presence affirms the critical role of accountancy in national development.

Ladies and gentlemen, please rise and join me in warmly welcoming our Chief Guest to deliver her address.

Audience applause as chief guest makes her way to the podium.

You are welcome Madam Speaker.

END