IIA President, Ruth Doreen Mutebe and the Assistant Commissioner Internal Audit, Musiime Annet. Courtesy Photo The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) Uganda is set to hold its 20th Annual Internal Audit Conference alongside the 17th Board and Audit Committee, in a bid to strengthen governance, accountability, and leadership across institutions.IIA, President Ruth Doreen Mutebe said the events will provide a platform for professionals to rethink the role of internal auditing in an increasingly complex and data-driven environment.The Board and Audit Committee Workshop is scheduled for April 14, 2026, at Kampala Serena Hotel, while the main conference will run from April 15 to 17 at Speke Resort Convention Centre in Munyonyo.The two events, held under the theme “Ignite. Influence. Transform.”, are expected to attract more than 800 participants, including auditors, risk managers, regulators, board members, and industry leaders from across the country.Mutebe emphasized that internal auditors play a critical role in helping institutions achieve their goals efficiently by identifying risks early and guiding decision-making.“Anybody with an ambition, whether an individual, business, or country, needs an internal auditor to help them achieve it faster and with fewer hurdles,” she said.She added that the conference will focus on strategic leadership, digital transformation, and strengthening governance systems to ensure better decision-making and accountability. The workshops are held amidst concerns about the effectiveness of internal auditors in preventing corruption.It has been observed that corruption and lack of accountability persist, yet agencies have internal auditors who should be ensuring oversight.Responding to the concerns, Maurice Taremwa, President of the ISACA Uganda Chapter (Formerly the Information Systems Audit and Control Association), said the role of auditors goes beyond identifying problems to addressing root causes and preventing future occurrences.“The true value of auditing is not just in pointing out what went wrong, but in the recommendations that help prevent it from happening again,” Taremwa said.He stressed that the successful implementation of audit recommendations depends on cooperation between auditors and management.“If recommendations are not implemented, they remain good writing on paper,” he added. He explained that in most cases, the official who should be taking action on advice rendered by an internal auditor is the top policymaker, who may decide to ignore or not implement what an internal auditor has pointed out.Annet Musiime, Assistant Commissioner for Internal Audit at the Ministry of Finance, dismissed claims that auditors only act after damage has already been done. She noted that in many cases, auditors provide early warnings that are ignored by those responsible for implementation.“In most instances, auditors come early enough, but those informed may act late,” Musiime explained.She attributed persistent governance failures to weak adherence to recommendations and a lack of accountability among managers.Mutebe further clarified that internal auditors are not law enforcers but advisors whose recommendations depend on uptake by leadership.She highlighted the importance of strong governance structures to ensure accountability across institutions.“Audit is not about penalizing individuals, it is about building systems that work for society and the country,” she said.Mutebe explained that implementing an internal Auditor’s advice depends on whether the person being advised is listening and willing to act.“I will start from the literal meaning of what an auditor means. It means a listener. Somebody who listens, understands, and advises at the end of the day. And advice is not law. You can decide to accept advice, and you can decide to reject advice,” she said.“So, then we understand each other and to appreciate that an audit is not an audit for the sake of penalizing one person. It is for the good of our own society and the good of our own country,” Mutebe Stressed.She added that internal auditors already influence policy indirectly through reports that feed into the Auditor General’s office and eventually Parliament.Organizers revealed that Uganda has about 1,000 registered members under the Institute of Internal Auditors, but acknowledged this number is insufficient given the size and complexity of institutions.Officials noted that many organizations operate with small audit teams, limiting their ability to provide continuous oversight. “Organizations grow every day, but audit departments are often the last to expand,” one official noted.The conference is expected to provide a platform for professional development, networking, and knowledge sharing, particularly in areas such as digital transformation and strategic decision-making.Mutebe encouraged professionals from various sectors to attend, saying the event offers an opportunity to strengthen governance practices and build partnerships.“This is about improving skills, building connections, and ultimately making the world a better place through better governance,” she said.-URNThe post Auditors Hit Back On Corruption Fight: “We Flag Risks, Leaders Fail to Act” appeared first on Business Focus.