By BM
The Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU) has released the results of the August 2025 examination sitting, revealing not only a slight overall improvement in performance but also a growing dominance of female candidates in the accounting profession.
The announcement was made during an official event held at the Protea Hotel by Marriott Kampala Skyz in Naguru.
It was presided over by the ICPAU President, CPA Timothy David Ediomu, and the Chairperson of the Public Accountants Examinations Board (PAEB), CPA Nancy Amige Owino.
This occasion marked the final examination release under Ediomu’s leadership before his upcoming handover later in the month.
This year’s examination saw a total of 4,249 candidates sit for various qualifications, including the Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Tax Advisor (CTA), and Accounting Technicians Diploma (ATD).
Of these, a significant 57.3% were female, continuing a trend that has been gradually redefining gender representation in Uganda’s financial sector.
Women also accounted for 56.2% of the 6,087 exam scripts submitted.
The overall pass rate rose to 36.4%, up from 31% in August 2024.
The improvement was most noticeable at Levels 2 and 4 of the CPA course, which saw gains of 15.3% and 13.2%, respectively.
Even Level 1 registered a modest rise of 4.1%. Several individual papers recorded substantial increases in pass rates as well, with Financial Reporting (Paper 7), Management Decision and Control (Paper 10), and Advanced Financial Reporting (Paper 12) showing some of the strongest performance shifts.
Performance by age group indicated that candidates aged 30–34 years accounted for the highest proportion of passes at 27.7%, followed by those aged 25–29 years at 14.9%.
A smaller percentage, just over 5%, of the successful candidates was 40 years and above, suggesting the exams continue to attract a relatively young cohort of professionals.
The PAEB Chairperson, CPA Nancy Amige Owino attributed the improved pass rate to the persistent effort of candidates and the quality of support provided by training institutions.
However, there was also acknowledgment that the number of candidates had slightly declined by 3.5% compared to the same period in 2024.
ICPAU President, CPA Timothy David Ediomu partly linked the decrease to broader election period that the country is undergoing, with some qualified accountants reportedly taking active roles in political engagements, impacting their academic focus.
As the profession transitions into new leadership, the latest examination results highlight not just academic achievement but also a broader cultural shift.
The continued rise in female participation and success is reshaping the face of accountancy in Uganda, indicating a more inclusive and representative future for the profession. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
