By Joan Abaasa
Officer Digital Platforms, ICPAU
The CFO Leadership Academy marked a significant milestone with the graduation of the 8th cohort (2025/2026) with 21 graduates at 4 points Sheraton on 14 May 2026.
The event highlighted a shared message: the future of finance leadership demands adaptability, continuous learning, strategic thinking, and a shift beyond technical expertise toward broader business impact and value creation.
Speaking at the event, CPA Derick Nkajja, Secretary/CEO of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU), emphasised the need for finance professionals to move beyond technical knowledge and focus on applying their expertise to deliver practical solutions that create organisational value. He noted that the accounting profession must continuously evolve to remain relevant in a dynamic global environment.
He further stressed the importance of continuing professional development, urging CFOs and senior finance leaders to invest in mentoring young accountants within their organisations.
“While qualifications provide a foundation, continuous learning, adaptability, and exposure are key in preparing professionals for the future of finance leadership,” said Nkajja.
Nkajja highlighted ICPAU’s collaboration with international bodies to align the profession with global standards and emerging business realities, encouraging professionals to proactively embrace change.
He encouraged cross-functional relationships, active engagement with teams beyond finance to gain deeper insight into business realities, and stressed the importance of visibility in leadership spaces.
Adding to the discussion, CPA Josephine Okui Ossiya, Chief Executive Officer of the Capital Markets Authority, emphasised the evolving expectations of finance leaders. She noted that modern CFOs must go beyond reporting numbers to understanding the broader business environment and the strategic meaning behind financial data.
Drawing from experience, she emphasised that effective finance leadership requires an understanding of stakeholder relationships, operational realities, and market dynamics.
She encouraged professionals to become forward-looking leaders who can interpret trends, anticipate risks, question performance drivers and support strategic decision-making. She emphasised adaptability, reflection, and self-awareness as key leadership traits and urged finance leaders to embrace forecasting, agility, and proactive thinking in an increasingly uncertain global economy.
Prof. Samuel Sejjaaka, Country Team Leader at MAT ABACUS, emphasised developing human capital and aligning professional training with industry needs. He called for stronger collaboration between academia and industry to bridge the gap between training and workplace expectations.
Sejjaaka noted that professional success is measured not only by qualifications but also by competence, integrity, professionalism, and impact in the workplace. He encouraged participants to embrace continuous learning, active engagement, and leadership readiness.
Noah Baalessanvu, Head of Technology at Savanna Group Africa highlighted the importance of digital transformation in finance. He urged finance leaders to strengthen their technological competence and deepen their understanding of how emerging technologies are reshaping governance, operations, and strategy, noting that technology is now central to modern decision-making in organisations.
CPA Francis Kamulegeya, the guest of honour encouraged professionals to embrace authenticity, continuous growth, and self-awareness. He emphasised purpose, character, and intentional leadership as essential beyond technical skills.
The event also marked the launch of the 9th edition of the CFO Leadership Academy, featuring four learning phases: Q1 – The Adaptive Leader (May–July 2026), Q2 – The Agility Edge (August–October 2026), Q3 – Sustainability & Global Agility (November 2026–January 2027), and Q4 – Life Beyond the C-Suite (February–April 2027).
The CFO leadership Academy Program is organized by MAT Abacus Business School in partnership with the Institute of certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU). It was designed with the objective of equipping the CFOs with the requisite leadership skills to enable them adapt to the strategic shifts in the environment.
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