Auditor General, John Muwanga.
The Institute for Certified Public Accountants Uganda – ICPAU has recognized the Auditor General John Muwanga for his “tremendous contribution and dedicated service to the accounting profession in Uganda and beyond.”
Muwanga won the ICPAU Gold Service Award last night at the ceremony held in Imperial Beach Resort Hotel, Entebbe.
The awards were started in 2015 as an annual activity to recongnise persons or entities that have made outstanding contributions towards advancing the accountancy profession in and beyond Uganda. Contenders are nominated by ICPAU members in various categories including Gold service, recruiting firm, accounting firm, young accountant and finance team of the year.
Muwanga was given the Gold Service award, which is the highest accountancy services award and honours individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the accountancy profession in and beyond Uganda. He has thereby been recognized for “exemplary service as a trully professional accountant”.
Muwanga has served as the Auditor General since 2007, a position he had previously held for five years between 2001 and 2005. He has worked in the public sector, particularly ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, for 28 years, having joined in 1994 as a consultant (Internal Audit Adviser attached to the Treasury) and Director Accounts, currently known as the Accountant General.
He has also held various positions in the private sector and international bodies including as a member of the World Bank Multilateral Audit Advisory Group, a member of the United Nations Independent Audit Advisory Committee and a member on the Committee on Budget and Finance of the International Criminal Court based in the Hague.
ICPAU officials say Muwanga’s tenure as the Director Accounts resulted in among others establishing a strong relationship with the institute which was set up in 1992.
Muwanga, in his acceptance speech lauded staff at the office of the Auditor General and also ICPA for promoting transparency and accountability as it carries out it’s various activities.
The institute also gave a posthumous award to the former Finance minister Joash Mayanja-Nkangi, who died in 2017, for promoting reforms in the law and inspiring young accountants while in service. Mayanja between 1986 to 2002 served as Minister for finance, education and Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
The award was received by his daughter Josephine, who expressed her gratitude to the institute for recognizing her father’s contribution to reforming the accounting profession in Uganda, moreso those regarding public accountants.
ICPAU introduced three special award categories this year as it marks 30 years of existence. They are longest serving active member in volunteer service, Unique Humanitarian Service to Society and Long-Term Institutional Partner.
Dr. Rose Alenyo of Makerere University/ Smile Care won the unique humanitarian service to society award because “she inpires others to act in humanitarian service”. She is recognised for providing free surgical services to over 3,600 children with cleft lips and those with post-burn complications since 2012. “Her work has reduced number of children with reversible disabilities in the community, improved enrolment in schools for such children, has successfully made a lasting impact in the lives of the victims and those of their families,” part of the citation reads.
Former President of the Federation of Uganda Football Associations -FUFA Lawrence Mulindwa won the social service award which recognises individuals who have made outstanding contributions to community development and benefited their communities through services intended for many as a community.
Mulindwa was recognised for his contribution in sports and education as a teacher, entrepreneur and investor. He served as FUFA for nine years, between 2005 to 2013.
Mulindwa is currently the director of Vipers Sports Club and also the Executive director St. Mary’s Secondary School Kitende. He however did not attend the awards ceremony.
Constant Othieno Mayende, the President of ICPAU, says the institute has recorded a number of achievements over the last three decades, including it’s ability to discipline members.
He noted that the membership has also grown from 79 in 1992 when the institute was established to over 3,900 members currently.
ICPAU is the national accpuntancy organisation charged with regulating and maintaining accountancy standards and regulating conduct of accountants.
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