The Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU), in partnership with the Capital Markets Authority (CMA), the Uganda Securities Exchange (USE), and Vision Group, officially launched the 2026 Financial Reporting (FiRe) Awards under the theme: “Driving Sustainability Reporting through Technology and Innovation.”
The launch took place during a press conference held on 26 May 2026 at Hotel Africana in Kampala ahead of the awards ceremony scheduled for 4 November 2026.
Speaking at the launch, CPA Stephen Ineget, Chairperson of the FiRe Awards Committee, said the theme reflects the evolving role of the accountancy profession in an increasingly digital and sustainability-conscious business environment.
“The theme speaks directly to the growing importance of technology and innovation in strengthening sustainability reporting. Entities today must leverage digital tools and innovative practices to gather, analyse and communicate sustainability information with accuracy, timeliness and transparency,” he said.
CPA Ineget noted that the Financial Reporting Awards were introduced in 2011 to improve the quality of financial and business reporting in Uganda by promoting compliance with financial reporting standards and best practices in corporate disclosures.
He explained that the awards were born out of ICPAU’s commitment to promoting the adoption and implementation of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), which Uganda adopted in 1998.
“The FiRe Awards emerged as a practical and impactful solution to encourage organisations to embrace transparency, accountability and excellence in reporting,” he said.
According to CPA Ineget, the awards seek to promote clear and meaningful presentation of financial and business information, foster good corporate governance, encourage transparency and accountability, and inspire organisations to adopt sound financial reporting practices.
He added that the awards evaluators look for reports that provide a balanced picture of organisations’ economic, environmental and social performance, facilitate comparability and benchmarking, and address issues of concern to stakeholders.
Ms Lydia Tusiime, a representative of the Secretary/CEO of ICPAU, said organisations are increasingly operating in a complex environment characterised by climate-related risks, rapid technological advancements, changing investor expectations and growing demand for accountability.
“The 2026 theme recognises the critical role technology and innovation play in strengthening sustainability reporting. Organisations are now expected not only to implement sustainable practices, but also to communicate their impact and long-term value creation in an accurate and accessible manner,” she said.
She added that transparent sustainability reporting has become essential for building investor confidence, strengthening governance and supporting informed decision-making.
Representing the Capital Markets Authority, Ms Lynn Tukei, Manager Communications and Public Relations, emphasised the role of financial reporting in building investor trust and supporting access to capital.
“Financial reporting helps investors build trust in the entities where they are investing their wealth. Proper reporting reduces uncertainty and eases the challenges of raising capital,” she said.
She added that CMA is proud to continue partnering with ICPAU, USE and Vision Group in promoting improved reporting practices and stakeholder accountability.
Mr Isaac Kayemba, Revenue and Financial Analyst at the Uganda Securities Exchange, noted that strong financial reporting enables organisations to tell their stories and attract investment opportunities.
“Financial reporting gives organisations a platform to showcase where capital can be allocated. Telling the story of an entity through financial reporting guarantees trust and supports sustainability,” he said.
Last year’s gold award winner, MTN Uganda, described the FiRe Awards as a recognition of the discipline and commitment entities invest in accountability, governance and disclosure.
A representative from MTN Uganda noted that participation in the awards encourages entities to continuously improve and build stakeholder trust through credible reporting.
Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC), another award winner from the 2025 FiRe Awards, praised the detailed feedback provided by the evaluators, describing it as instrumental in helping the organisation improve its reporting standards.
“The feedback was candid and detailed, and we used it as a roadmap for improvement. Excellence is not optional but essential,” the organisation’s representative said.
Vision Group representative CPA Margaret Saano reaffirmed the media house’s commitment to promoting transparency and sustainability reporting through strategic communication.
“Communication promotes efficiency and continuity, and Vision Group is committed to supporting the FiRe Awards. The media provides a platform for dialogue and participation, which strengthens corporate reporting and sustainability efforts,” she said.
Since their inception, the FiRe Awards have attracted participation from more than 1,000 organisations across Uganda. The awards have contributed to improved transparency, increased sustainability disclosures, stronger financial reporting practices among SMEs, and enhanced stakeholder confidence in corporate reporting.
The awards are open to all entities that prepare annual reports, including public sector institutions, private sector organisations, and not-for-profit entities. Participation in the awards is free of charge, and organisations are required to submit their most recent annual reports for evaluation. Entries will open on 1 June 2026 and close on 30 September 2026.
Outstanding organisations will be recognised during the 2026 FiRe Awards ceremony scheduled to take place on 4 November 2026.
END
