The head of finance at Uganda Baati urges young women to take initiative by proactively embracing new challenges and responsibilities while striving to exceed expectations.

Meet Erinah Masiga, a certified accountant, mentor, and head of finance at Uganda Baati, a leading steel manufacturer. She leads a team comprising 53 percent women and has actively championed merit-based recruitment, coaching, and career advancement.
At Uganda Baati, she is responsible for financial planning and budgeting, ensuring accurate financial reporting and regulatory compliance, managing cash flow and treasury operations, overseeing risk management and internal controls, and providing strategic financial insights for decision-making.
Born and raised in a small village in Busia-Dabani, in a family of five children, Ms Masiga was nurtured by her strong and resilient mother, Ruth Nafula, a dedicated nurse who took on the responsibility of raising her children after the death of their father early in their lives. To this day, her mother remains a source of immense pride and inspiration.
“I am the only girl in my family. Being raised by a strong-willed woman of character, deeply grounded in Christian values, I learnt from a very young age that one can achieve anything they set their mind to,” she says.
She attended Dabani Girls’ Primary School before joining Tororo Girls’ School for both her O and A-Level education, where her passion for science was ignited. Having pursued sciences in secondary school, she later enrolled at Makerere University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Chemistry.
Initially, she aspired to become an electrical engineer. However, her career path took a different turn, leading her to finance and accounting. After completing university, Masiga entered the job market, but securing employment was not easy, especially at that time. She applied for numerous jobs but faced rejection after rejection
“When I stepped into the job market, I quickly realised it was not as easy as I had imagined. The manufacturing sector was one of the few industries hiring, but opportunities were scarce. Every time I applied, I was met with responses like ‘come back later’ or ‘we are full at the moment.’ That is when I knew I had to explore other options,” Masiga says.
During this period, she was staying at her uncle’s home, and upon seeing her struggles in finding a job in the engineering industry, he advised her to consider a career in accounting.
“That is how I transitioned into finance,” she says. “He persuaded me to enrol in an ACCA course—the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants based in the UK—which was highly regarded at the time. Back then, CPA was not as popular as it is today, and ACCA was the most sought-after qualification.”
At that time she was working as a Mathematics teacher at Ntinda View Secondary School and later as an accounts assistant at Nakumatt Supermarket.
While still working at Ntinda View Secondary School, she came across a job advertisement for an accounts assistant position at Uganda Baati. She applied and was shortlisted despite not having completed her ACCA qualification.
“I had only completed one paper when I got the job through a recruitment agency. I still remember the interview process — it was a rigorous exercise, I joined Uganda Baati as accounts assistant, and after completing my six-month probation, I was confirmed as an accountant,” Masiga recalls.
Her hard work and dedication did not go unnoticed.
“At the time, my supervisor was an Indian national who served as the finance manager. The company’s financial structure had two key roles: a finance manager and a chief financial officer (CFO),”she says.
She began as an accounts assistant and quickly moved up the ranks to accountant, then senior accountant in charge of accounts payable, and later senior accountant – treasury. In 2020, she achieved a significant milestone when she was appointed head of finances.
Each role, she says, provided her with opportunities to lead and mentor others while also receiving guidance from experienced professionals. It also allowed her to apply her leadership and financial expertise, reinforcing her professional growth.
Growing up in a household with four brothers instilled in Masiga the resilience and adaptability necessary to thrive in a traditionally male-dominated industry.
She has always challenged herself to make meaningful contributions and ensure her voice is heard. Throughout her career, she has remained steadfast in the belief that gender should never be a limitation.
To excel professionally, she urges young women to take initiative by proactively embracing new challenges and responsibilities while striving to exceed expectations.
“Demonstrate knowledge and reliability, as these qualities are crucial for effective decision-making and execution; remain open to continuous learning and unlearning to stay adaptable in a dynamic environment; foster a positive attitude and teamwork by contributing to a supportive and collaborative workplace, recognising that success is a collective effort where leaders achieve results through others; and actively seek constructive feedback to refine your skills, enhance your performance, and drive personal and professional growths,” she shares advice for those seeking to grow in their careers.

Role models and inspiration
Masiga credits her mother as her first and most significant role model. Despite facing numerous challenges, her mother successfully raised five children, including four boys, while maintaining a strong moral compass.
Another key influence in her professional life has been Mr Rajat Rajan, the current head of finance at Safal Group of Companies. Before assuming her current role, Masiga worked closely with him.
He mentored her and played a pivotal role in shaping her career within the group. His guidance, support, attention to detail, and commitment to excellence have been instrumental in her growth.

Challenges in the accounting profession
She acknowledges that societal biases have often limited women in finance, particularly due to the misconception that women are not proficient in numerical fields. Consequently, many women in finance occupy entry-level positions, such as cashiers and data entry clerks, with limited career progression.
The accounting profession demands long hours, especially during critical reporting periods. Additionally, obtaining an accounting certification like ACCA requires extensive study, demanding commitment and dedication.
This is why, she says, women aspiring to excel in this field require a strong support system.
As head of finance, Masiga has actively championed merit-based recruitment, coaching, and career advancement. Additionally, the steel industry played a crucial role in establishing the Safal’s Women’s Circles, a platform that provides a safe space for women to discuss challenges and find solutions.
She believes that continuous education is essential for career growth, as employers seek individuals who demonstrate stability and a commitment to professional development.
Globally, accounting standards are regularly reviewed and updated. Masiga ensures her finance team stays informed by attending Continuous Professional Development (CPD) sessions organised by professional accounting bodies such as ACCA and CPA.
Every month, her team reviews all business transactions to ensure compliance with accounting standards and tax regulations. Any non-compliance issues are promptly addressed.

Leadership tips
Masiga believes in maintaining a balance between professional and personal well-being. She practices meditation and prayer as a means of stress management. She also has a well-known sweet tooth, with chocolate being her go-to treat for an instant mood boost.
She emphasises that real-life scenarios are not taught in school. The current three-month internship programmes are insufficient for real-world preparedness. She hopes that ongoing changes in the education sector will address this gap by incorporating more practical applications in training.
In the next five years, Masiga aspires to become the chief executive officer of a steel company, leveraging her extensive experience and knowledge of the industry.

ON A LIGHTER NOTE:
Your lunch box must have:
Rice, chapati, chicken, greens, avocado, and chocolate or ice cream for dessert.
Top two on your speed dial:
Mum and brother
Best read:
Who moved my Cheese by Dr
Spencer Johnson. In it he says
change is constant in life, “Be ready to change quickly, again and again.” Another is Where is God when it Hurts by Phillip Yancey. It gives a different perspective on challenges in life.
First car:
Toyota Yaris