When I was a child, a banker at Uganda Commercial Bank lived next door to us. He was an impressive man and I wanted to be like him and work in a bank.
As the head of finance at financial services provider Letshego Uganda, I think I’ve achieved that childhood ambition. Along the way, I’ve worked as a revenue officer at Uganda Revenue Authority, head of internal audit at Opportunity Bank Uganda, and group financial officer at east African construction company Terrain Services. As well as my Letshego role, I am a partner at Ardenfield, a local accountancy firm, and a director at Cygnus Automation, a tech startup.
It is important not to over-rely on automated outputs
AI will transform financial strategy. It offers faster data analysis, better forecasting and more informed decision-making. It will automate many routine accounting processes, so finance staff can focus their time on strategic planning and value creation. However, it is important not to have an over-reliance on automated outputs, ignoring other factors that are key to decision-making. There are also risks with data privacy, cybersecurity and potential biases in algorithms that could result in poor financial decision-making.
After years of working in finance I have returned to university for a computer science degree. Moving into a new academic field was a step right out of my comfort zone, and has required humility, persistence and a willingness to start again as a beginner. I am midway through the course, and it has already broadened my understanding of tech-driven businesses. It’s a tough but exciting journey, and I am constantly challenged to think how I can use this knowledge to drive change in the world of business, which is especially important in a developing country like Uganda.
‘If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don’t have integrity, nothing else matters.’ This quote from the late US senator Alan Simpson resonates with the ethical foundations of the accounting profession, and I make sure it guides my own conduct.
Strong measures are needed to deal with the monster that is corruption
Financial transparency and accountability should be a legal requisite for all activities, especially in public institutions. Corruption and the mismanagement of public funds are huge concerns across many developing countries. Better enforcement and stronger governance are needed to deal with this monster, such as the seizure of assets acquired through corrupt means and banning any guilty official from ever holding public office again.
If I wasn’t in finance, I would have liked a career in technology. I’m fascinated by systems design and software development, and have always enjoyed building systems that solve practical problems. My current studies reflect these interests.
Outside work, I enjoy reading, mentoring young professionals and listening to music, especially Gregorian chant. I also love spending time with my family, leading community initiatives and volunteering for numerous associations as treasurer.
