The Auditor General, Evelyne Kamagaju, has scooped the 2008 Global Commendation Award for Africa and the Middle East, for her efforts at professionalising accounting in Rwanda.

Kamagaju championed the establishment of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) training in Rwanda and in 2005 she became the Patron of the newly established ACCA student’s society. Under her able leadership, an Accountancy bill was drafted which became law last year.

"I feel really humbled because I did not know that anyone out there recognized this achievement. We have come a long way and I am glad that my contribution to the development of the accountancy profession is now a big success. Surely it is a milestone in development,” Kamagaju told The New Times in a phone interview yesterday.

The award will be presented to her today. Representing the ACCA Global President at the awarding ceremony will be Coutts Otolo, an ACCA Global council member.

Finance Minister James Musoni will be the guest of honour.

"We are delighted to be able to recognise the incredible work which Kamagaju has undertaken to support the accountancy profession in her country,” John Nyakahuma, ACCA’s Head of Corporate Development for Eastern Africa said in a statement.

Kamagaju has not only been Rwanda’s Auditor General for the last four years, she has also significantly contributed to the development of the accounting profession through her position as the chairperson of the Interim Governing Council of the institute of Certified Public Accountants in Rwanda (ICPAR).

Professionally, Kamagaju holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from Makerere University. She is a member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) and a founder member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU).

Among other initiatives aimed at boosting development is the Institution of Professional Accountants, which she introduced with a vision to improve the Rwandan investment climate thus re-assuring investors that Rwanda is "ready for business” with the world.

"Her vision and hard work have indeed borne fruit and this was clearly demonstrated at the end of May 2008 when for the first time ever, in the history of Rwanda, twelve accountants graduated with ACCAs,” Nyakahuma added.

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