Accountants have called on organisations to enhance sustainability reporting, emphasizing the use of technology and innovation to improve transparency, governance and compliance with emerging global reporting standards.
ICPAU Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, CPA Derick Nkajja, said organisations are operating in an increasingly complex environment shaped by climate-related risks, rapid technological change, shifting investor expectations and growing public demand for accountability.
Nkajja said institutions are now required not only to adopt sustainable business practices but also to communicate their environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance in a credible and accessible manner.
“The 2026 theme recognises the critical role technology and innovation play in strengthening sustainability reporting,” he said.
Chairperson of the FiRe Awards Committee, CPA Stephen Ineget, said sustainability reporting has become a key pillar of good governance, investor confidence and institutional resilience.
He noted that the awards continue to promote high-quality reporting practices aimed at building trust among stakeholders and supporting informed decision-making.
The remarks were made during the launch of the 2026 Financial Reporting (FiRe) Awards by the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU), in partnership with the Capital Markets Authority, the Uganda Securities Exchange and Vision Group.
The 16th edition of the awards was launched under the theme “Driving Sustainability Reporting through Technology and Innovation,” reflecting growing pressure on organisations to improve transparency, accountability and long-term value reporting in line with global sustainability standards.
The FiRe Awards, introduced in 2011, are part of ICPAU’s efforts to improve the quality of financial and business reporting in Uganda through compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and best corporate disclosure practices.
According to organisers, the initiative stems from ICPAU’s commitment to promoting the adoption of IFRS, which Uganda embraced in 1998.
Over the years, more than 1,000 organisations have participated in the awards, benefiting from independent assessments, benchmarking opportunities and feedback aimed at improving annual reporting standards.
The awards are open to public institutions, private sector companies and not-for-profit organisations that prepare annual reports.
Entries for the 2026 FiRe Awards open on June 1 and close on September 30, 2026. Submissions can be made through the ICPAU FiRe Awards online portal or at ICPAU offices in Bukoto.
