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Ex-URA Commissioner joins Parliamentary race
Dr. Protazio Begumisa, wants to uproot Incumbent Wilfred Niwagaba
Dr. Protazio Begumisa, the Former Commissioner for Internal Audit and Compliance at the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) is moving steadily towards realising his dream of representing the People of Ndorwa East in Kabale in the 11th Parliament of Uganda.
Dr. Begumisa, PhD, left his job at the beginning of April 2020, following the expiry of his contract, to focus his energies on canvassing for votes ahead of both party and national nominations for Members of Parliament.
Dr. Begumisa, carries a hefty CV to the scientific elections where he wants to uproot a strong incumbent in the names of Wilfred Niwagaba, a two-term MP and also the shadow Attorney General.
Dr. Begumisa is a certified chartered accountant and former President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Uganda. He received his honorary PhD in Business Administration from the Commonwealth University in recognition of his outstanding work in promoting professionalism in business development through accounting.
Dr. Begumisa worked for the tax body for 20 years (1999 to 2020) rising through the ranks up to the second highest position of Commissioner Internal Audit and Compliance.
At URA he left an indelible mark as one of the people who contributed to establishing the systems and procedures that continue to guide the running of the organization to date. For his outstanding work and incorruptible record, he received the Chief Integrity Champion Award for URA.
Before URA, he worked with the former Uganda Airlines (1994 to 1999) and Uganda Railways Corporation between 1992-1994.
He is also well known in the accounting fraternity as a mentor of accountants having taught ACCA at MUBS, Team Business College and Zenith Business College.
As President of the Institute of Chartered Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU), he helped the accountants body to acquire two storeyed buildings in Kampala, secured tax exemption for the institution and also helped Uganda to host in 2017 its first ever International Conference for Chartered Public Accountants that was graced by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and then Chairman of the African Union Commission Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.
Dr. Begumisa receiving an award from President Yoweri Museveni during the Internation Conference for Chartered Accountants held in Uganda in 2017
Dr. Begumisa has served as a Board Member of the Pan African Federation of Accountants representing East Africa as well as a Board Member of the International Federation of Certified Accountants representing Uganda for two years.
The impending fight is likely to be long and drawn out as both men belong to different political persuasions, are rich and very learned fellows.
Begumisa wants to campaign under the ruling NRM umbrella, while Niwagaba, who is an independent, could use his wealth and experience to make Dr. Begumisa a run for his money.
Incumbent, MP Wilfred Niwagaba
On the other hand, Niwagaba, who graduated as a lawyer and practice with his firm Niwagaba and Mwebesa and Co. Advocates, has built a formidable CV as a knowledgeable persons in matters of legislation. He recently championed the Opposition’s Constitutional Amendment Bill as a private members bill in Parliament that went on to be tabled in Parliament.
But Dr. Begumisa, perhaps knew how steep the climb would be as he paid sufficient interest to the challenges of the constituency quite early and got involved in a number of community activities, our scouts say.
All in all, the battle between an Accountant and a Lawyer is one that will be closely watched in the coming five months.
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