Accountants and public finance professionals convening under the 4th Public Finance Management (PFM) Conference are set to scrutinise Uganda’s domestic revenue mobilisation strategies, as the country grapples with rising expenditure demands and pressure to strengthen internal funding sources.
The discussions come at a time when Parliament has approved a record Shs84 trillion national budget, the largest in the country’s history, with Shs44.1 trillion expected to be raised through domestic revenue.
While a series of tax amendment bills have already been passed to support revenue mobilisation, questions persist over the fairness of the tax burden distribution and whether current tax measures are sufficient to meet the growing fiscal needs.
The theme of domestic revenue mobilisation in a changing economy is among the key topics on the conference agenda, alongside a range of public finance reform issues.
Other areas of focus include the transition from the National Development Plan III to NDP IV, digital transformation as a driver of socio-economic change, improving performance in government business entities, and the evolving role of external audit in a digitising economy.
Participants are also expected to examine governance challenges such as balancing productivity and work in the public sector, security of person and property, and strengthening internal audit systems to improve public finance management effectiveness.
Scheduled for May 6–8, the three-day conference is being held under the theme Strengthening Public Finance Management for Sustainable National Development, at the Imperial Resort Beach Hotel in Entebbe and virtually.
Speaking ahead of the conference, CPA Derrick Nkajja, Chief Executive Officer and Secretary of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU), emphasised the need for stronger institutions, improved transparency, and innovation in revenue mobilisation.
“This conference provides an opportunity for public sector players to align on practical solutions that will strengthen accountability and support sustainable national development,” Nkajja said.
He noted that discussions around digital transformation and the transition to NDP IV are particularly important in shaping resilient public finance systems.
“We encourage all stakeholders to participate actively and contribute to shaping policies that will impact generations to come,” he added.
The conference will bring together accounting officers, finance professionals, policymakers, auditors, economists, development partners, civil society representatives, and Members of Parliament.
Participants are expected to engage in high-level dialogue, share best practices, and develop actionable recommendations aimed at accelerating public finance management reforms.
Key resolutions from the conference are typically submitted to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development for consideration in national policy formulation.
Beyond policy influence, the forum also serves as a professional development platform, allowing participants to earn up to 21 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours upon full attendance.
