Employees urged to uphold ethics, enhance skills
“Through the blood donation drive, which we encourage everyone to come to, and also through the teaching they are doing for young professionals in our community, we are very encouraged that people in the commercial field are doing this work to develop our nation,” Kyokunda said.
Catherine Donovan Kyokunda, Commissioner of Legal Services and Border Affairs at the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA). (Courtesy Photo)
KAMPALA - Young professionals in the accounting and business sectors have been urged to uphold ethics, integrity and accountability as they build their careers, saying these values are critical in restoring public trust and supporting national development.
Catherine Donovan Kyokunda, Commissioner of Legal Services and Border Affairs at the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), made the call recently as she addressed young graduates undertaking the Skills Development Academy organised by Grant Thornton Uganda at its Lugogo By-Pass offices.
Kyokunda was speaking during a blood donation drive organised by the Grant Thornton Foundation as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities.
She commended Grant Thornton for investing in young professionals' development through skills training while also engaging in activities that give back to the community.
“Through the blood donation drive, which we encourage everyone to come to, and also through the teaching they are doing for young professionals in our community, we are very encouraged that people in the commercial field are doing this work to develop our nation,” Kyokunda said.
She said equipping young professionals with knowledge about ethics and integrity would help build a society where accountability becomes part of everyday life rather than something expected only from public officials.
“It is very important that we have accountability not purely in the sense of public funds and the budget that the minister speaks to. We need to think about it in our day-to-day lives because that will transform our economy and the communities we live in,” she said.
She described accountability as doing the right thing even when there is no one watching, noting that such behaviour helps individuals become responsible employees, professionals and citizens.
“Accountability is you doing the right thing when nobody is looking, when nobody is seeing you, so that you can be a better employee to your employer and a better citizen for those around you,” Kyokunda said.
She also emphasised that accountability goes beyond financial management to include protecting information and data entrusted to professionals.
“Being accountable includes the responsibility to protect data and to protect the information you have. It is more than money. It is really knowing that the positions we occupy are simply to serve our community,” she added.
She noted that although some professionals may face pressure to compromise their values, continuous training and sensitisation could help prevent unethical practices from becoming normalised
“The reality is that many people will compromise, and sometimes it becomes the norm. But if you teach young professionals that beyond the skills that they have, they have got to think about accountability and ethics, then you are building a better community,” Kyokunda said.
She said professional skills should therefore be complemented by strong personal values, particularly among graduates entering workplaces where they will handle sensitive information, financial resources and responsibilities that affect other people.
Anil Patel, the Executive Chairman of Grant Thornton Uganda, said the organisation would continue supporting CSR initiatives as part of its commitment to giving back to the community.
“We believe that we must give back to the community and must care for them without expecting anything in return,” Patel said.
The Skills Development Academy is part of Grant Thornton Uganda’s efforts to equip young professionals with practical skills and professional knowledge as they transition into the workplace.
The blood donation campaign brought together staff, young professionals and other members of the community.