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Business and financial experts to build a powerful network to end illicit financial flows in Uganda

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Experts in business and financial transactions have appreciated the need to build a powerful network of stakeholders committed to substantially reduce Illicit Financial flows in Uganda. This was during a Public Discourse organised by FIDA Uganda and the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe to discuss the Illicit Financial Flows and their impact on Africa’s economic development. Held on 4th June 2018, the Public Discourse was organised under a theme: “Illicit Financial flow exploring conceptual and practical challenges in Uganda”.

During the intensive discussion, participants from government, civil societies, Non-governmental Organisations, private sector and media said that developing countries and financial centres must collaborate to adopt and enforce policies that promote good governance, tackle corruption and implement transparent tax systems.

Participants also suggested that countries must have the right laws in place with the capacity to implement them. A system for exchanging tax information on preventing tax evaders and money launderers should be initiated and countries should ensure that cross-border financial flows use formal financial systems.

Illicit Financial Flows are cross-border capital movements purposed for concealing illegal activities and evading taxes. (Marc Herkenrath, 2014). It involves money that is illegally earned, illegally transferred, or illegally utilized. According to the President of Global Financial Integrity, Washington DC Dr. Raymond Baker, Illicit money comes in three forms; the proceeds of bribery and theft, the proceeds of criminal activities including drugs, racketeering, and terrorist financing that combined slosh around the globe and the proceeds of tax evasion and laundered commercial transactions.

In a keynote address on Democratic-Capitalism at risk imperilling the 21st Century, Dr. Raymond Baker said that democratic capitalist system has undergone an unrecognisable change over the past half of the 21st Century. To him, today Capitalists have a second hidden motive of facilitating their shadow financial system.

“The primary threat to the democratic capitalist system does not come from corrupt governments or terrorists, but from us and our failure to operate the capitalist system legally and ethically. It is an uphill effort to do this entirely on moral and ethical grounds. To combat illicit financial flows and tax havens, we have to strengthen the laws that regulate the market,” he said.

Illicit financial flows are an increasing concern of resource drainage from Africa. They reduce domestic resources and tax revenue needed to fund poverty-reducing programs and infrastructure in developing countries. They pose a huge challenge to political and economic security. Funds for public priorities are diverted by harmful practices, such as corruption, organized crime, illegal exploitation of natural resources, fraud in international trade and tax evasion.

According to Dr. Raymond Baker, for years, African countries have been severely hit by illicit financial flows. The global financial report released in 2015 clearly indicated that Africa is estimated to be losing more than $50 billion per year in illicit financial flows and Uganda loses an average of $509 million in illicit financial outflows annually.

“This challenge has left behind a very big income gap among individuals and countries, drained hard the currency reserves, heightened inflation, reduced tax collection, worsened income gaps and undermined trade. It has shortened lives for millions of people and deprived existences for billions more. Within the economic realm, as distinguishable from political affairs or environmental constraints, nothing else approaches the harmful effects of massive outflows of illicit money from poor countries to rich countries,” he said.

He noted that there is need for a whole-of-government approach in which all agencies collaborate and share information. “Governments should indicate the beneficial ownership of stolen funds, effectively use the legislation and develop better monitoring systems. There is need for countries to draw attention to their money, provide Entity Identifier Numbers and understand the power of signature,” he stated.

During the Public Discourse held on 4th June 2018, the Ambassador of Denmark to Uganda H.E Mogens Pedersen mentioned that the rate at which Uganda mobilises revenue currently stands at only 13% of the GDP. Therefore there is need for the country to close its revenue leakages given their negative effects to the economic growth.

“In order to facilitate identification of a remedy to this problem, the Danish Embassy has commissioned a study to help us get a better understanding of the nature and extent of Illicit financial flows in Uganda. We hope that this study which will be completed in 3 months will guide both government and development partners to design specific and targeted interventions to fight illicit financial flows. On behalf of Denmark, I want to assure you of our unwavering commitment to engage with the key stakeholders and to support efforts to curb illicit financial flows in Uganda,” the Ambassador said.

The Acting Vice Chancellor of Makerere University Dr. Eria Hisali said, “When talking about the rampant illicit financial flows in Uganda, it’s either the systems such as Human Resource and legal frameworks that are compromised or it has to do with the outright corruption the custodians of our systems.”

He thanked the Danish Embassy to Uganda for sponsoring a study that is geared towards finding the causes and implications of illicit financial flows in Uganda. In the same spirit Dr. Hisali appreciated the keynote speaker Dr. Raymond Baker for his knowledgeable and informative presentation.

He applauded FIDA Uganda and Makerere University for organising the long awaited dialogue and acknowledged the Danish Embassy for the support to ensure its success.

The Chairperson of FIDA Uganda Dr. Damalie E. Naggita-Musoke said that it is high time Ugandans understand the implications of illicit financial flows to the economic development of the country. “We have come to realise that issues that affect societies, women and children have a certain extent of illicit financial flows and resource utilization. Therefore there is a need for us to learn about illicit financial flows not only in the academic sense but also the implication of illicit financial flow generally,” she said.

The Public discourse involved an interactive panel discussion on “Illicit Financial flow exploring conceptual and practical challenges in Uganda”. Moderated by Mr. Charles Odongotho, the panellists included; Hon. Irene Ovonji Odida- the Executive Director of FIDA Uganda, Mr. Ezra Francis Munyambonera- Head of the Macroeconomics Department at Economic Policy Research Centre, Ms. Stella Nyapendi- Assistant Commissioner Board Affairs, Policy and Rulings at Uganda Revenue Authority, Ms. Jane Seruwagi Nalunga-Country Director at SEATINI Uganda and Dr. Robert Mugabe from Makerere University Business School.

Article by Proscovia Nabatte, Mak Public Relations Office.

Elias Tuhereze

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Call for Applications: Government Sponsorship 2026/27

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Makerere University -Main Building

The Academic Registrar, Makerere University informs all Head Teachers of Advanced Level (UACE) Schools with UNEB Centre Numbers that applications for admission to Public Universities and other Tertiary Institutions for 2026/2027 Academic Year for government sponsorship will be done electronically/online using the Academic Management Information
System (ACMIS) from 15th October, 2025 to 31st December, 2025. The Public Universities include:
(a) Makerere University
(b) Makerere University Business School
(c) Mbarara University of Science and Technology
(d)Kyambogo University
(e) Gulu University
(f) Busitema University
(g) Muni University
(h) Kabale University
(i) Lira University
(j) Soroti University
(k) Mountains ofthe Moon University

NB: The list of Other Tertiary Institutions is provided on the online application portal.

Other Important documents:

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PIM Centre Holds 9th Steering Committee Meeting, Set to Benefit from World Bank Support

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Mak PIM COE Steering Committee

The Public Investment Management (PIM) Centre of Excellence at Makerere University today, October 10th, 2025, held its 9th Steering Committee Meeting to review progress made in the first quarter of the financial year and plan for the months ahead.

The meeting was chaired by Ms. Getrude Basiima, who represented Mr. Hannington Ashaba, Director Budget at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED). Ms. Basiima commended the Centre for its continued commitment to strengthening public investment management capacity across government institutions.

In her remarks, Ms. Basiima applauded the Centre for successfully hosting the Public Investment Management Conference held in August at Makerere University. The conference attracted key policymakers, development partners, and academics who deliberated on how to enhance the efficiency, sustainability, and impact of public investments in Uganda.

She further shared exciting news that the Government of Uganda has secured funding from the World Bank to support the public investment management function. The PIM Centre, she announced, will be among the key beneficiaries of these funds — receiving support for the construction and acquisition of a permanent home to enhance its institutional sustainability and training capacity.

Reviewing the Centre’s quarterly performance, Ms. Basiima congratulated the team for successfully conducting three specialized trainings in the first quarter, reaching officials from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. These trainings continue to strengthen the technical competencies required for effective project preparation, appraisal, and implementation in line with Uganda’s National Development Plan.

The PIM Steering Committee in a meeting held at Emin Pasha Hotel

She encouraged the Centre to integrate climate change considerations into its future training programmes, noting that sustainable public investment must now account for environmental resilience and climate adaptation.

The centre team presented the proposed  structure/ organogram, the financial performance of 2024/2025, research areas for 2025/2026 and the strategic plan for 2025 – 2030.

The Steering Committee reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the PIM Centre’s vision of becoming a regional leader in building capacity for efficient, transparent, and sustainable public investment management.

Betty Kyakuwa
Betty Kyakuwa

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Strengthening Collaboration between Makerere University and the University of Groningen

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Seated: Prof. Sarah Ssali (C), Dr. Dinie Bouwman (L) and Dr. Anita Veltmaat (R) with teams from Makerere University and the University of Groningen during the meeting on 7th October 2025. Strategic meeting between Makerere University and the University of Groningen, Netherlands to move beyond existing collaborations and formalize a new Double Doctorate (PhD) program, 7th October 2025, Main Building, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

A significant development unfolded at Makerere University during a strategic, hour-long meeting in the vice chancellor’s boardroom on 7th October 2025, marking a deepening bond with the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. The primary goal was to move beyond existing collaborations and formalize a new Double Doctorate (PhD) program. Prof. Sarah Saali, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, set the tone by emphasizing that institutional partnerships are crucial to Makerere University, which she proudly called the leading research and most collaborative university in the world.

The parties from Makerere University and the University of Groningen meeting in the Vice Chancellor's Boardroom. Strategic meeting between Makerere University and the University of Groningen, Netherlands to move beyond existing collaborations and formalize a new Double Doctorate (PhD) program, 7th October 2025, Main Building, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
The parties from Makerere University and the University of Groningen meeting in the Vice Chancellor’s Boardroom.

The discussion promptly formed the core structure of the program: a four-year PhD (or three if the master’s was research-based), with supervision duties split 50-50% between the two institutions. A key feature is the mobility requirement, stipulating that PhD candidates would spend a total of six months in the Netherlands, potentially divided into two three-month periods. Crucially, the University of Groningen confirmed there would be no teaching requirement during this stay, allowing students full access to focus on their research. A major financial hurdle was overcome with the adoption of a fee-waiver policy; Makerere would waive tuition for incoming Groningen candidates, and Groningen would reciprocate for Makerere‘s students, significantly boosting the program’s financial viability.

Prof. Sarah Ssali (R) presents a Mak Souvenir to Dr. Anita Veltmaat. Strategic meeting between Makerere University and the University of Groningen, Netherlands to move beyond existing collaborations and formalize a new Double Doctorate (PhD) program, 7th October 2025, Main Building, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Sarah Ssali (R) presents a Mak Souvenir to Dr. Anita Veltmaat.

However, the critical issue of the stipend remained. Dr. Anita Veltmaat explained that to meet the required living standard of approximately €1,875 per month in Groningen, the incoming candidate must secure a partial external scholarship of around €250 per month. The positive news is that if the candidate secures this minimum scholarship, the University of Groningen is prepared to top up the amount to the full living standard for the six months the student spends in the Netherlands. It was noted that this initial financial hurdle might be simplified for Makerere students, as many are already staff members receiving a salary, which could help cover the required €250.

The meeting in session. Strategic meeting between Makerere University and the University of Groningen, Netherlands to move beyond existing collaborations and formalize a new Double Doctorate (PhD) program, 7th October 2025, Main Building, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
The meeting in session.

The path forward was clear: it was to complete the agreement template guided by the setup committee from both institutions. The plan culminated in scheduling an online follow-up meeting for Tuesday, November 11th, to review the first revision of the agreement, capping a highly constructive discussion that solidified the two universities’ shared future in graduate education.

The Team from Makerere University from Left to Right: Dr. Ruth Nsibirano, Dr. Racheal Nuwagaba, Dr. Patricia Ndugga, Dr. Stella Achen, Dr. Joseph Watuleke, and Ms. Agatha Ainemukama. Strategic meeting between Makerere University and the University of Groningen, Netherlands to move beyond existing collaborations and formalize a new Double Doctorate (PhD) program, 7th October 2025, Main Building, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
The Team from Makerere University from Left to Right: Dr. Ruth Nsibirano, Dr. Racheal Nuwagaba, Dr. Patricia Ndugga, Dr. Stella Achen, Dr. Joseph Watuleke, and Ms. Agatha Ainemukama.

Makerere University was represented by Prof. Sarah Ssali, the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academics Affairs; Dr. Ruth Nsibirano, Head of the Department of Gender Studies; Dr. Patricia Ndugga, School of Statistics; Dr. Stella Achen and Dr. Joseph Watuleke, School of Distance and Lifelong Learning; Agatha Ainemukama, School of Engineering; Racheal Nuwagaba, School of Psychology; Awel Uwihanganye, Martine Rugamba, and Hawa Ndagire from the Advancement Office; and Muhammad Kiggundu from the Institute of Gender and Development Studies.

Prof. Sarah Ssali (R) presents a Mak Souvenir to Mrs. Alette Arendshorst. Strategic meeting between Makerere University and the University of Groningen, Netherlands to move beyond existing collaborations and formalize a new Double Doctorate (PhD) program, 7th October 2025, Main Building, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Sarah Ssali (R) presents a Makerere Souvenir to Mrs. Alette Arendshorst.

The University of Groningen was represented by Dr. Dinie Bouwman, Senior Policy Advisor, Internationalization and Quality Assurance; Dr. Anita Veltmaat, Faculty of Social Behavior and Social Sciences, Department of International Studies, involved in mentorship programs for women; and Dr. Alette Arendshorst, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, working on graduation/collaboration for students/staff.

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