As a young man I tried three times to join the seminary to train as a Catholic priest – but all in vain. God must have decided I should train as an accountant instead, so I took the hint and have never looked back. At Summit Consulting, I champion proactive forensics, security and tackling fraud.
Having completed my ACCA studies in 2005, I started my career as an audit trainee with EY in Kampala. That springboard has taken me to many places and opened many doors. I have served in virtually all sectors in my country, including agriculture, manufacturing and services.
It is so satisfying to see clients transformed as a result of your efforts; as a consultant, you get a 360-degree view of the client and their affairs
Many people have influenced my life and career, most notably Churchill Atinda, an EY audit and assurance partner at the time. In 2010, when I wanted to fast-track my business management skills, John Troughton, one of my directors at Uganda Tea Corporation, agreed to become my mentor. I worked with him for 10 years and benefited a lot from his business management expertise and decision-making skills.
I have stepped out of my comfort zone and taken risks with my career a couple of times. As a youngster in 2008, I risked leaving EY earlier than I had been advised. In 2014, I risked all of my life’s savings by investing in a 100-acre piece of land and planting trees. I am glad, because every risk I have taken has paid off and I have never regretted any of them.
If I had law-making powers, I would not focus on new laws, but on enforcement. In Uganda, there are many laws in place to fight corruption and the abuse of public resources, but they remain on paper only. They are not enforced to deliver justice.
My work is fun. It is so satisfying to see clients transformed as a result of your efforts. As a consultant, you get a 360-degree view of the client and their affairs. Interestingly, you learn even more as you execute assignments and transform businesses.
If I weren’t an accountant – and as I was denied entrance to the priesthood – I would like to have become a teacher. I love teaching, explaining and simplifying things for other people.
I like to tell people that work is man's best friend. To confirm this, I tell them to look at those who work and those who don't, and decide who seems more satisfied in life – this drives the message home.
I am a passionate reader and I also love farming. On any day, if I am not at work, I will be reading a good book or out on my farm to check what’s happening to my eucalyptus and pine trees.
