Internal auditors urged on enrollment for certification

The Institute of Internal Auditors Uganda-Uganda (IIA) has celebrated new certified members for the year 2023.

A total of 32 Internal Auditors had obtained the prestigious global qualification as Certified Internal Auditors.

Moses Kasakya, the IIA president said the prestigious qualification of Certified Internal Auditor is administered by the Global Institute of Internal Auditors at Florida, USA, and that it is globally recognized. 

Kasakya during the colourful event in celebration of the new certified intern auditors at Skyz Hotel in Kampala expressed the need for all internal auditors to enroll for global certification.

He said by February 2024, there were over 190,000 Certified Internal Auditors worldwide and about 90% were from Asia, North America, and Europe. 

"Africa has about 5,000 Certified Internal Auditors from which Uganda has only 147 as of February 2024," he said.

Kasakya was glad to see that the number of Certified Internal Auditors in Uganda was increasing though still wanting.

He said that there is a deliberate campaign to progressively increase the number over the years.

It was reported that the registered Internal Auditors at the Institute of Internal Auditors Uganda were over 1,000 out of whom only 147 were Certified Internal Auditors.
 
"The Internal Auditors’ CIA designation demonstrates credibility and commitment to professionalism and value addition to the respective organizations where they serve," he said.

Kasakya applauded  Gervase  Ndyanabo, the deputy managing director and the company secretary for the New Vision Printing and Publishing Company who was the first president of the Institute of Internal Auditors for the tireless mentorship of members.

He charged the new CIAs to keep on learning and growing to be able to stay relevant and live up to the expectations of the respective organizations where they serve.
 
"The dynamics in the various businesses keep changing and so the internal auditors should proactively look out for potential risks and opportunities and provide insights to boards and management for them to stay as trusted advisors," he said.

Professor Moses Muhwezi, the principal of Makerere University Business School who was the guest of honour advised the new CIAs and all Internal Auditors that before they advise on a particular process or function, they should ensure they have sufficient knowledge about the respective areas.

"For the internal auditors to remain updated and relevant to the organisations and the society, they must keep on learning about the changing events, methodologies, and technologies taking place not only in Uganda but globally," he said 
However  Kasakya the  IIA president requested Professor Muwhezi and his team at MUBS to consider incorporating Internal audit in their training program to enable students to understand the impact of governance, risk management, and controls at an early stage.

Professor Muhwezi agreed and reported that the Business school was setting up an initiative to have a hybrid of academic and professional courses and that in that initiative the Business School will include Internal Audit.

During the same occasion, the excellent and best-performing internal auditors were also recognized and rewarded. These included Ms Doreen Rwakatungu, the head of Audit, Africa Regions of Standard Bank Group. 

Others were Ms. Peace Kabatangare, the Chief Internal Auditor of Vision Group of companies, and Ivan Muhumuza of the Uganda Revenue Authority. 

For his unrelenting contribution to mentoring, tutoring, and promoting the CIA, Mr. Ben Ojuk was also recognized as the Young CIA of the Year. 

Alice Nyangoma the IIA Uganda vice president in charge of training and certifications expressed the need for all  Internal auditors to enroll for the Certification. 
The members were asked to reach out to the office of the Institute of Internal Auditors Uganda for support.