KAMPALA, Uganda — The Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda has launched the 16th edition of the Financial Reporting Awards, commonly known as the FiRe Awards, with renewed emphasis on sustainability reporting, transparency and innovation.
The awards were launched today, Tuesday at Hotel Africana in Kampala under the theme, “Driving Sustainability Reporting through Technology and Innovation.”
Organized annually by ICPAU, the awards recognize excellence in financial reporting, corporate governance and sustainability disclosure among organizations in Uganda’s public, private and nonprofit sectors.
Speaking at the launch, CPA Stephen Ineget, the country lead at KPMG and chairman of the FiRe Awards Committee, said the awards have evolved significantly since they were introduced in 2011.
“When we started this journey in 2011, the focus was mainly on excellence in financial reporting and governance,” Ineget said. “Later, sustainability was added, and now we are also looking at management analysis and discussions. Organizations must explain their story, their impact on society and their long term vision.”
He said the awards seek to promote high quality reporting that gives stakeholders a balanced picture of an organization’s economic, environmental and social performance.
Uganda adopted the International Financial Reporting Standards in 1998 and has since incorporated other frameworks, including the International Public Sector Accounting Standards, IFRS for SMEs and the newer IFRS S1 standards on sustainability and climate related disclosures.
Ineget said the FiRe Awards assess how organizations comply with these reporting frameworks while improving transparency and accountability.
“The reports should help stakeholders understand the organization and also allow comparability with international standards,” he said.
The categories for the 2026 awards remain unchanged and include Excellence in Financial Reporting, Corporate Governance, Sustainability Reporting, Presentation and Communication, Most Improved Report, Best Listed Entity and Integrated Report of the Year.
ICPAU called for wider participation from government ministries, agencies, universities, schools, nongovernmental organizations and private sector companies, including banks, insurance firms and educational institutions.
Submission of annual reports will open on June 1 and close on Sept. 30, 2026.
The awards are organized by ICPAU in partnership with the Capital Markets Authority, the Uganda Securities Exchange and Vision Group, which is serving as the media partner.
Representatives from MTN Uganda, the overall winner of the 2025 awards, the Joint Clinical Research Centre, Uganda Securities Exchange and Vision Group also shared experiences on the value of quality reporting in attracting investment and improving stakeholder confidence.
Ineget said feedback provided through the awards process helps organizations strengthen reporting practices and improve compliance with regulatory standards.
“There is no end to improving something good,” he said. “This remains a flagship initiative of the institute.”
The 2026 FiRe Awards are expected to highlight organizations that are using technology and innovation to strengthen sustainability reporting and corporate accountability.
