General
Mak’s MPIM Nurtures Uganda Vision 2040 Change Agents
The Master in Public Infrastructure Management (MPIM) is a Pan-African Capacity Building Programme (PACBP), supported by the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), the International Development Corporation (IDC) and the French Agency for Development (AFD). Launched on 30th March 2012 at Makerere University, the programme seeks to build capacity of the African Public Service by training a calibre of public service managers and supervisors who will provide effective leadership to the management of public affairs and infrastructure programmes.
The programme though housed by the School of Business, College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), is interdisciplinary in nature and is taught with support from the School of Engineering, College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) and the School of Social Sciences (College of Humanities and Social Sciences-CHUSS). The programme, held in partnership with University of Pretoria (South Africa) and the University of Dakar (Senegal) ensures that students incorporate the best practices in public infrastructure management through study tours to exemplary companies/projects both within and outside Uganda.
Following this year’s tours both internally; within Uganda and externally; to South Africa, the MPIM programme held the 3rd Study Tour Dissemination Seminar on Friday 14th October 2016 at the School of Business, CoBAMS. Welcoming participants to the seminar, The School Dean, Assoc. Prof. Umar Kakumba noted that MPIM was raising a breed of professionals that would not only help establish but also sustain and better manage public infrastructure.
“It is a programme that takes on people from various backgrounds, and in terms of facilitation, we have a critical potential of human resources whereby we engage guest lecturers” remarked Dr. Kakumba. He nevertheless noted that the School has plans to enhance the delivery of the programme by requesting prospective stakeholder institutions to provide guest lectureship, and areas of learning through study tour sites.
Infrastructure for energy, transport, water, oil and gas and ICT were identified as the fundamentals that need to be strengthened in order to harness the abundant opportunities around the country so as to attain Uganda’s Vision 2040. The Uganda Vision 2040 statement is “A Transformed Ugandan Society from a Peasant to a Modern and Prosperous Country within 30 years”
Dr. Kakumba further commended current and former MPIM students for fronting the idea of a Consortium/Think Tank to provide consultancy, skills and capacity to various agencies. “This consortium or group of people may belong to different organizations but joining together under the patronage of the School of Business, will offer first-hand information on issues of water, solid waste management, roads and transport,” he said.
He further noted that these ideas will be shared with stakeholder institutions at a future engagement to enable them weigh in their opinions. The Dean further shared that with support from partner institutions, the School will be in position to progressively create executive short training programmes, tailor-made to address industry needs as they arise.
The 3rd Study Tour Dissemination Seminar tackled three sectors namely; Transport, Water and Energy. The Transport Group shared an overview of the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) and GAUTRAIN Integrated Transport System both based in South Africa, while the Water group evaluated Best practices and Lessons Learnt from Rand Water-South Africa and the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC)-Uganda. The Energy Group examined the various projects in the energy sectors of South Africa and Uganda.
The groups demonstrated passion for fulfilling the objectives of their respective study tours by presenting detailed overviews, informative comparisons on regulatory frameworks, product ranges and project costs as well as challenges, strategies and lessons learnt from the sectors. The moderator of the presentations and open discussion Dr. Godfrey Akileng commended the groups for a job well done and shared notable issues from the presentations that are critical to the discussion on a way forward.
• At least 1 20litre jerry can of water per day to be provided freely to each poor household
• Value Added Tax (VAT) should not be levied on water
• Government should compulsorily acquire land for infrastructure development
• Management of sanitation should be incorporated into the water sector
• A multi-sectoral approach should be adopted for infrastructural development and management to drive the middle-income status agenda of the country
• Efficient, Ugandan-run governance and management structures should be adopted for public infrastructure management systems
• Uganda should develop its own local Public-Private Partnership (PPP) capacity mindful of project costs, bid times, and issues to do with technology transfer
• Support the Uganda Development Bank (UDB) in developing bankable projects especially those in infrastructure
“These are critical issues of policy nature which we should write down in form of a framework paper and disseminate at another forum similar to this,” noted Dr. Akileng.
The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) is an agency that has witnessed a lot of institutional change in the recent past. The Chief Guest at the seminar and Head of Research and Development at UNRA-Dr. Henry Rubarenzya, thanked the CoBAMS leadership for organizing and hosting the event.
“Change is part of reality and we have to continually innovate in all dimensions of our work for improvement. At UNRA, we take innovation seriously and have structured it formally to ensure that the organisation does not stop challenging the status quo,” remarked Dr. Rubarenzya.
He further noted that public funds management presents a very challenging task for the weak hearted but is a simple task for managers of high integrity. He commended the MPIM programme for the human capital development initiatives within Makerere, other institutions and within the country. “I therefore applaud the milestones so far obtained in building management skills for existing and upcoming leaders in the infrastructure sector” said Dr. Rubarenzya.
At the conclusion of the seminar, the Day’s emcee and Coordinator, Graduate Programs & Research- School of Business, CoBAMS-Dr. Peter Turyakira noted that innovation is the only way to go as everything was constantly changing. “We must be seen to be change agents and therefore demonstrate effective managerial skills in public infrastructure management” he said.
Please see Downloads for the detailed presentations by the Groups
Article by Public Relations Office
In a landmark event symbolizing Uganda’s stride towards sustainable transportation, Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero Masanza, Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, commissioned the first Electric Fast-Charging Station at Makerere University on Friday 13th March 2026. The ceremony, held at the Senate Building Parking Lot, marks a pivotal moment in the nation’s e-mobility journey, blending academic innovation with industrial application and governmental support.
The station, a DC Fast Charger C6-180 installed in collaboration with Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC), is designed to power electric vehicles efficiently, supporting Uganda’s shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. This setup ensures high-power DC charging ideal for fleet operations.
Hon. Dr. Musenero, in her keynote remarks, highlighted the profound significance of the occasion, tracing its roots back to 2011 when Makerere unveiled the Kiira EV – Uganda’s first electric vehicle prototype. “This infrastructure is the physical manifestation of a journey that began on this very hill nearly two decades ago,” she stated, emphasizing how the university’s initial proof-of-concept challenged skepticism about Africa’s role in automotive technology.
The event, she noted, completes a narrative full circle, with the birthplace of the Kiira EV now hosting the infrastructure to sustain a modern electric fleet. The commissioning aligns seamlessly with Uganda’s National E-Mobility Strategy, which aims to localize 65% of the e-mobility value chain by 2040 and create over 500,000 high-quality green jobs.
Hon. Dr. Musenero underscored the strategy’s focus on reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels while enhancing environmental well-being. “We are transforming Uganda into a net source of e-mobility solutions,” she declared, pointing to the potential for Ugandan intellect to produce vehicle parts and charging systems domestically.
In his remarks at the event, the Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe described the launch as a “multi-faceted achievement,” not only advancing the institution’s inclusive agenda but also setting an example for public institutions in adopting e-mobility. In so doing, Makerere University has positioned itself at the forefront of this transition.
On September 26, 2025, President Yoweri Museveni commissioned the Kiira Vehicle Plant in Jinja and handed over three Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) buses to Makerere University to enhance staff and student mobility. The fleet included two diesel-powered Kayoola Coaches and one electric Kayoola EVS 8.5m bus donated by KMC specifically to aid the movement of differently-abled staff and students. This move demonstrates academia’s capacity to integrate home-grown solutions into daily operations, impacting the economy through practical science.
The commissioning of the fast-charging station is rooted in a long history of collaboration. The Kiira Electric Vehicle Project, hatched in the former Faculty of Technology, has evolved into a national movement for automotive manufacturing. Hon. Dr. Musenero praised this progression: “We have moved beyond proving that an electric vehicle can be built in Uganda. We are now ensuring our electric vehicles are deployed across the continent, solving Africa’s mobility problems.”
Academia’s role remains central, as Hon. Dr. Musenero elaborated. While government provides policy frameworks and the private sector offers capital, universities supply the essential knowledge. The E-Mobility Skilling Programme at Makerere University‘s Innovation Pod (Mak-UniPod) is training the next generation of electric vehicle engineers, who are tackling “moonshot projects” to redefine urban transport. Research into optimizing local resources, such as Uganda’s lithium and cobalt deposits for battery production, is also underway.
A key environmental highlight of this development is Uganda’s renewable energy advantage. With over 95% of the national grid powered by hydroelectric dams, every charge at this station utilizes clean energy. “We are using our own water to power our own vehicles, keeping our wealth within our economy rather than exporting it to purchase foreign oil,” Hon. Dr. Musenero remarked, framing the launch as Uganda plugging into the global renewable shift. She pledged the Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Secretariat’s continued collaboration with Makerere University, KMC, and partners to proliferate such stations across Kampala and beyond.
Addressing Makerere students, Hon. Dr. Musenero issued a challenge: “See this charging station as a symbol of your own potential. The engineers who built the first Kiira EV were once sitting exactly where you are. They did not wait for permission to be great.” She urged them to leverage available resources to innovate, building on a legacy that has shifted national conversations.
The event drew distinguished guests, including Members of Management, Eng. Paul Isaac Musasizi, KMC’s CEO and his management team, private sector partners, development agencies, and university faculty.
Looking ahead, this launch propels Uganda towards a “Qualitative Leap” in its economy, as Hon. Dr. Musenero described. By fostering innovation and investing in young minds, the nation aims to lead in technological advancement. The station not only powers vehicles but ignites progress, ensuring Uganda remains at the forefront of Africa’s e-mobility revolution.
As the ceremony which was intermittently “blessed” by drizzles drew to a close, the feeling of hope for a cleaner, self-reliant future – one charged by Ugandan ingenuity, was unmistakable.
General
Makerere University and International Partners Sign MoU for the 9th Kampala Geopolitics Conference
Makerere University, on 10th March, 2026, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Embassy of France in Uganda, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS), and Alliance Française de Kampala to organize the 9th edition of the Kampala Geopolitics Conference (KGC), scheduled to take place on 15–16 April 2026 at Makerere University.
The signing formalizes the continued partnership that has established the Kampala Geopolitics Conference as one of the region’s leading platforms for dialogue on global affairs, bringing together scholars, policymakers, civil society leaders, and students to debate the major geopolitical and socio-economic transformations shaping the world.
The conference, inspired by the Nantes Geopolitics Conference in France, was first launched in Kampala in 2018 and has since grown into a unique intellectual space for cross-continental exchange between Africa and Europe.
A Platform for Ideas, Dialogue, and Youth Engagement
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, emphasized the importance of the Kampala Geopolitics Conference as a platform that connects academic discourse with global policy conversations while empowering students to engage with the complex challenges shaping the international system.
The Vice Chancellor noted that hosting the conference reflects Makerere University’s long-standing commitment to fostering intellectual exchange and positioning the institution as a hub for regional and global dialogue.
“Makerere University is proud to host the Kampala Geopolitics Conference because it creates an important platform for debate and exchange on the global issues shaping our world, while giving our students the opportunity to engage directly with leading thinkers and policymakers,” said Prof. Nawangwe.
Prof. Nawangwe further commended the Embassy of France in Uganda, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, and Alliance Française de Kampala for their continued collaboration with Makerere University in organizing the conference over the years. He expressed confidence that the 2026 edition will once again provide a dynamic platform for dialogue, bringing together scholars, policymakers, and students to examine the geopolitical trends shaping Africa and the wider world.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, H.E. Virginie Leroy, Ambassador of France to Uganda, highlighted the significance of the conference as a platform that encourages dialogue on global issues while empowering young people to participate in shaping the future.
Since its inception, the Kampala Geopolitics Conference has created opportunities for students, researchers, policymakers, and entrepreneurs to engage with some of the most pressing global debates. The Ambassador noted that the curiosity and engagement of Ugandan students have become one of the defining features of the conference.
“This conference has become a unique space where students, researchers, policymakers and civil society exchange ideas on the major transformations shaping our world,” Ambassador Leroy said, adding that the event demonstrates the intellectual vitality of Uganda’s youth and the strength of the partnerships that sustain it.
Strengthening Partnerships for Global Dialogue
The Konrad Adenauer Foundation, a long-standing partner in the initiative, reaffirmed its commitment to supporting platforms that foster meaningful discussions on international affairs and regional dynamics.
Speaking during the ceremony, Anna Reismann, Director of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Uganda, emphasized the importance of the conference in connecting local perspectives with global debates.
She noted that Africa has increasingly become a focal point in global geopolitics, attracting engagement from a wide range of international actors through investments, trade, security cooperation, and diplomatic partnerships. While these engagements create new opportunities for economic growth and technological advancement, they also raise important questions about sustainability, governance, and the terms of international cooperation.
According to Reismann, the conference provides an important forum to examine these issues and to encourage dialogue that bridges academic perspectives with practical policy considerations.
The 2026 edition of the Kampala Geopolitics Conference will focus on key global and regional issues shaping international relations and development.
Among the themes to be explored are the future of development cooperation, particularly as global aid dynamics evolve and countries explore more sustainable and balanced partnerships. Another panel will examine youth and public policy in Africa, recognizing the critical role that young people play in shaping governance, innovation, and development across the continent.
With Africa home to the youngest population in the world, discussions will highlight the importance of ensuring that young people are not only beneficiaries of public policies but also active contributors to their design and implementation.
Makerere University at the Centre of Global Conversations
Hosting the conference reflects Makerere University’s continued commitment to fostering intellectual exchange and positioning the institution as a hub for regional and international dialogue.
Through its partnerships with global institutions such as the Embassy of France, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, and Alliance Française de Kampala, Makerere continues to create platforms that connect academic knowledge with policy discussions and real-world challenges.
The Kampala Geopolitics Conference is expected to once again bring together leading experts, scholars, and practitioners from across Africa and Europe, while providing students with a rare opportunity to engage directly with global debates.
As preparations for the 2026 edition gather momentum, the partners expressed confidence that the conference will continue to inspire critical thinking, encourage dialogue across disciplines and generations, and strengthen cooperation between Africa and its international partners.
Caroline Kainomugisha is the Communications Officer, Advancement Office, Makerere University.
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