The Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) has continued to strengthen its global role as a professional body for experts working in securities, investment, wealth management, financial planning and capital markets. For many years, CISI has been recognized across the world for promoting ethics, professionalism and high levels of competence in the financial services industry. The institute is widely respected for its international certifications and continuous professional development (CPD) programmes, which help financial practitioners remain well-trained, ethical and trustworthy. These qualities are seen as critical for building strong and credible capital markets, especially in developing economies.
In a new development aimed at boosting the financial sector in East Africa, the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) Uganda has entered into a formal partnership with CISI to improve professionalism and prepare the country’s capital markets for the future. The collaboration signals a clear plan to raise industry standards and align Uganda’s market practices with global expectations. Market analysts say the move is expected to strengthen investor confidence, increase financial transparency and deepen trust across Uganda’s investment ecosystem.
The Chief Executive Officer of the CMA Uganda, Josephine Okui Ossiya, said the partnership came at a time when trust is becoming more important in every investment decision. She explained that no investor—local or foreign—will commit money in an environment where trust is missing. According to her, the Authority is focused on creating a marketplace where professionalism, integrity and ethical conduct are not only encouraged but also enforced.
She stated, “The money of investing is about trust. I will not give you my money if I do not trust you. Everything we are doing now is to build investor confidence and to build trust among people working in this sector, so more people can come in and participate in Uganda’s capital markets.” Ossiya added that the CMA is determined to ensure that the industry is served by responsible, qualified and professional individuals who have the skills to prevent unnecessary financial losses for investors.
CISI’s Executive Director, Kevin Moore, also stressed the importance of continuous learning in maintaining trust and stability in the financial system. He noted that global markets are changing rapidly, and practitioners must constantly update their knowledge and skills to remain competitive, disciplined and ethical. Moore said that lifelong learning helps professionals keep up with new regulations, financial innovations and global best practices.
As part of this new collaboration, the CMA Uganda announced several key milestones that will guide the implementation of CPD requirements for financial practitioners. The year 2026 will be treated as a transition period for practitioners who have already been certified under the Securities Industry Certification Program (SICP), allowing them to gradually align with the new standards introduced by CISI and the CMA.
Furthermore, all market participants will be required to meet their CPD obligations for the 2026/2027 cycle on or before 30 June 2027. From 1 January 2028, compliance with CPD conditions will become a mandatory requirement for license renewal. Industry players say this step will help create a disciplined and transparent market environment where only well-trained professionals are allowed to operate.
The CISI Lead Regional Representative, Kimacia Gitau, highlighted the rapid transformation happening across the global financial services sector. He pointed to new developments in data science, artificial intelligence, sustainability, digital technology and analytics as major forces reshaping the industry. Gitau said that because of these changes, financial professionals must continue to build their skills and deepen their expertise if they want to grow their careers and contribute to a stronger capital market.
He also emphasised that ethical behaviour and integrity remain at the centre of CISI’s work. “That is exactly what we have partnered with CMA Uganda to do—to build professionals within Uganda’s financial services sector at a global standard and grow the trust and confidence of investors in this market,” he said.
Financial analysts believe the new CMA–CISI partnership is a significant milestone for Uganda’s capital market reforms. By raising standards, strengthening professional training and reinforcing ethical practice, the initiative is expected to deepen investor trust, support long-term market development and back the sustainable growth of the country’s financial sector. Many industry players also view the partnership as a strategic step toward integrating Uganda more closely with global capital markets and improving regional competitiveness.
