Robinah Siima has made her mark as Finca Uganda’s first female CFO. She leads by staying close to her people and paying attention to how financial decisions shape lives beyond the boardroom.
On most Fridays, Robinah Siima has pizza with her team members. It may seem frivolous, but her reputation for down-to-earth leadership is what earned her the 2025 Finca Uganda Star Award.
Reflecting on the award, Robinah is overwhelmed by the show of confidence in her leadership.
“It’s a unanimous vote done by the entire institution. Finca Uganda has 30 branches. For me, it’s the most humbling award because it’s a vote from my internal customer. More often than not, we focus on serving our external customers. When the data team gave me the comments from the different people that voted for me to read, many were speaking about the same thing. People kept saying that they feel I walk the journey with them all the way from the branch and for me that had always been a dream,” she said.
More than anything, the award is a sign that she is on the right track, a question that troubled her before she joined the audit firm. In 2015, Robinah welcomed her first child while working as an auditor at EY. As a new mother navigating the postpartum transition, she faced difficulties balancing work with her new role.
“I was completely overwhelmed emotionally. I questioned whether others still believed in my ability to deliver results. But I had a few friends of mine at the same firm who had had babies at the same time, and we created a mothers’ group where we would sit, cry, and share our experiences. We eventually sought counselling, which became a pivotal step in regaining stability and confidence,” she said.
Years later, she became the first female CFO of Finca Uganda, a feat she does not shy away from celebrating. She believes the support of one’s employer can make the difference between women realising their potential and falling through the cracks. In her experience, being intentional about creating accommodations for working mothers is a sure way to making the finance profession friendlier for women.
Moving with intention
“I think Uganda is trying. On a scale of 100 percent, I would say we are at 40 percent. But even if you create structures and quotas, there is a need for them to be implemented and enforced. For instance, you cannot tell me that you're going to give me maternity leave of two months, yet we all know that for a mother to give birth and go back to work, maternity leave should be a minimum of three months. If you have it in your documents and policies, you should execute it. This includes flexibility. Can I easily run off when my child is not okay? Can I work from home if my child is not okay? I will still give you the best,” she explained.
Robinah’s emphasis on flexibility is the force behind how she communicates with her team members, including the Gen Z staffers. While Zoomers are often known for being strong-willed and assertive, Robinah often prevails upon them by appealing to each one’s unique communication style. To keep in tune with them, she often keeps her pulse on issues that capture their attention, such as AI and current affairs.
“I think one of the reasons I've not had a challenge with them has been my age range because I cross the two brackets. I'm turning 36 this year. I consistently switch depending on who I'm dealing with, but the most effective method for me has been trying to fit into their space and understand what they are dealing with,” she said.
For Robinah, the most fulfilling aspect of the role is creating a positive impact. She has an acute sense of how her decisions trickle down to people in underserved communities and is keen to ensure they receive the benefits of Finca Uganda’s work. As part of Finca Impact Finance, the firm empowers low-income entrepreneurs by providing innovative financial services tailored to their needs. The organisation’s mission is to end poverty through sustainable and scalable solutions.
“Every time I sit in this position, we make decisions that get down to the person at the bottom of the pyramid. It has been profoundly humbling to see how our decisions enable these individuals to access opportunities they might otherwise miss.”
Family accountant
In many ways, Robinah’s decision to go into finance was driven by the need to help those closest to her. Growing up, her father was in the imports and exports business. He would often speak to her about the ins and outs of the business, piquing her interest. After she completed high school, finance was top of her mind.
“As a young observer, I sometimes felt uncertain about providing the right answers to his questions. He would challenge my understanding as a layperson, pointing out discrepancies in my projections. This interaction not only deepened my interest in finance, but also motivated me to pursue knowledge that would allow me to support him better in the future,” she explained.
Although she can confidently describe herself as a seasoned finance leader, Robinah observes one principle that she believes should apply to all accounting professionals, expert or novice: continuous self-improvement.
“It is your responsibility to continually enhance your skills and knowledge. In the past, a CFO might have focused solely on financial data, but now they must collaborate with cross-functional teams across operations, technology, marketing, and more to develop strategic solutions that drive business growth. The finance world is highly dynamic, so if you choose this career path, you must hold yourself to the highest standards of continuous learning and strategic innovation,” she advised.
