General
WBG Economic Update Makes Case for Investing More in Uganda’s Education
On Thursday, 30th May 2019, Makerere University was privileged to host the official launch of the Uganda Economic Update, 13th Edition in partnership with the World Bank Group (WBG). Held in the Main Hall, the event was presided over by the State Minister for Higher Education, Hon. Dr. John Chrysostom Muyingo, who represented the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni.
Delivering the welcome remarks, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe thanked the World Bank Group chiefly represented by the Uganda Country Manager Mr. Antony Thompson, for choosing Makerere University to host the event. He noted that the theme for the 13th Edition; Economic Development and Human Capital in Uganda: A case for Investing more in Education particularly fits in well with Makerere’s mandate to produce quality human resources for the region.
“The 13th Economic Update highlights pertinent issues rotating around improving quality in the Uganda’s Education sector, which are also at the heart of Makerere University. I particularly appreciate the World Bank’s Human Capital Index (HCI) that measures the impact of under investing in human capital on the productivity of the next generation of workers” added Prof. Nawangwe.
Prof. Nawangwe further thanked the World Bank for collaborating with staff at the School of Economics to produce and disseminate the 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th Uganda Economic Updates as well as allocating a US$900,000 grant to establish a Public Investment Management (PIM) Centre of Excellence at the same School. He noted that the two World Bank funded Centres of Excellence the; African Center of Excellence in Materials, Product Development and Nano-Technology (MAPRONANO) and Makerere University Regional Centre of Excellence in Crop Improvement (MaRCCI) had since inception recruited students at Masters and PhD level, procured equipment and facilitated various capacity building trainings for staff.
In his remarks, Mr. Antony Thompson thanked the Vice Chancellor and University leadership for accepting to host the launch of the 13th Edition of the Economic Update. Admitting that the launch was his inaugural visit to Makerere, he could not hide his admiration for the job well done by KCCA in rehabilitating infrastructure at the University as part of the Second Kampala Institutional and Infrastructure Development Project (KIIDP-2).
Mr. Thompson observed that although Uganda’s economy remains strong and stable, it still faces major risks such as poor quality of the human capital. He advised that countries can only end extreme poverty and create more inclusive societies if they invest in developing their human capital. “In addition to the economic benefits, basic education increases individual’s earnings by about 70 percent. Education reduces the risk of poverty and provides other benefits, including lower under-age pregnancy and better health outcomes.”
The Country Manager however noted that despite advances such as Universal Primary Education (UPE) made by the Ugandan Education sector, the country’s Human Capital Index still remains low. “A child born in Uganda today will be only 38% as productive when she grows up as she could be if she enjoyed complete education and full health.”
He also reported that over 1.4million pupils currently drop out from primary schools and never make it to P7. He nevertheless opined that when this trend is addressed, one million new places need to be created in lower secondary schools in next 6 years to accommodate this additional intake.
“Achieving these ambitious results will require significant changes in educational policy and major additional investments of at least $2 billion between 2019 and 2025 to improve both the quality of learning and enrollment. This requires increasing the current education spending from 10 percent to reach the sub Saharan average of 16 percent” explained the Country Manager.
He nevertheless reiterated the World Bank’s commitment to support the Ugandan Government to realize these goals.
The panel discussion that followed the presentation of the Economic Update brought to light a number of initiatives being undertaken by the Ugandan Government in partnership with the World Bank as well as several points of reflection. The presentation underscored the need to increase budgetary allocation to the Education Sector, expand early childhood (pre-primary) education, scrap the Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) in preference for continuous assessment, adopt the automatic promotion policy and improve the transition rate from Primary to Secondary school among other recommendations.
The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES), Mr. Alex Kakooza shared that through the Uganda Teacher and School Effectiveness Project (UTSEP), MoES had with support from the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) under supervision of the World Bank been able to improve early grade literacy instruction and parent participation in children education. UTSEP has also improved parent participation in school activities like feeding programmes. He added that the outcomes from the pilot districts in Eastern Uganda had been tremendous so far, with pupils as low as P3 exhibiting improved literacy and numeracy skills.
Mr. Kakooza however observed that more resources will be required to implement the World Bank recommendations, especially in the recruitment of more teachers and construction of additional classrooms. “Currently, over 1,000 parishes in Uganda do not have primary schools. If these were to be constructed, an additional 20,000 teachers would need to be recruited to teach these pupils.”
He nevertheless thanked the World Bank for sharing cost effective infrastructure development plans, which would enable the Ministry meet the rapidly growing demand for classroom space.
The Executive Director National Planning Authority (NPA), Dr. Joseph Muvawala observed that whereas Uganda constantly trumped up the benefits of reaping a demographic dividend from its relatively young population, well structured investments were of utmost importance. “I thank the World Bank for this report but wish to state that dividends accrue to those that invest and it is clear that we are not investing enough.”
On the scrapping of PLE, Dr. Muvawala said that whereas this was technically the most viable option, it would not be implementable as observations had revealed teachers’ preference of a final exam over continuous assessment. He also stressed the need to further investigate the high dropouts recorded at primary level and come up with investments aimed at addressing the findings.
The Deputy Secretary to the Treasury, Mr. Patrick Ocailap’s opportunity to speak was highly anticipated as most recommendations had in essence called for increased budgetary allocation to the Education sector. He thanked the World Bank Group for its report and concurred with all the findings and conclusions therein. He nevertheless asked the calls for increased funding to be matched with an analysis of efficient use of current allocations to the sector.
Mr. Ocailap also advocated for improved efficiency in revenue collection as a way of boosting government revenue but cautioned that as the economy expands, marginal and not proportional allocations to the education sector might be the more viable option.
The Deputy Secretary to Treasury also weighed in on the calls for increased salaries to teachers, noting that they were indeed legitimate. He however emphasised that this ought to be balanced by evident improvements in students’ performance and improved efficiency of teaching in schools.
Mr. Patrick Kaboyo the Executive Director, Coalition of Uganda Private School Teachers Association (COUPSTA) reminded the gathering that whereas world leaders meeting in Muscat, Oman in 2014 had agreed to commit 6% of national GDP to Education, Uganda’s commitment still stood at less than 3%. He nevertheless applauded the Cabinet for approving the National Teacher Policy on 1st April 2019, which would go a long way in improving teachers’ productivity, discipline, retention and motivation.
He acknowledged that whereas the Ugandan Education Sector is currently in reform mode, there was need to look beyond improving access and massification to ensuring that the sector produces critical thinkers. These, he noted, would be better suited to function in today’s creativity-driven marketplace.
A curriculum that matches personal development and attainment of knowledge with the skills that meet current industry demands will be a great asset to the implementation of WBG recommendations and achievement of the Education Sector’s targets. Dr. Rovincer Najjuma a Lecturer and Curriculum Specialist in the College of Education and External Studies (CEES) shared that Uganda requires a curriculum that offers holistic development of skills at all levels of education because the employability of a workforce starts with skills developed right from the foundational stages of lower primary.
She however cautioned that developing a great curriculum should not take precedence over the training of quality teachers. This position, she said, was derived from reports showing that a child in sub-Saharan Africa spends a great percentage of their school going age interacting with teachers. As such, teachers possibly have the greatest influence on pupils. She therefore advocated for a Centre of Excellence to develop teachers’ capabilities.
Delivering the final address of the day, the Guest of Honour, Hon. Dr. John Chrysostom Muyingo thanked the Makerere University Management for accepting to host the important launch. He equally thanked the WBG Country Director for the well researched report, noting that it would generate a lot of debate from almost every Ugandan. He asked the audience to observe a moment of silence in respect of a great academic and former Prime Minister and Chancellor of Makerere University, Rt. Hon. Prof. Apolo Robin Nsibambi who passed away on Tuesday 28th May 2019.
Reading the First Lady and Honourable Minister of Education and Sports’ remarks, Hon. Muyingo said that Africa has been reported as the region of the world having the highest return on Education. He shared that MoES has been reviewing the Government White Paper on Education (1992), which analyses the full scope of education sector and its polices. He added that MoES is working with the WBG under the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) to review Uganda’s Integrated Early Childhood Development Policy so as to ensure adherence to minimum standards.
The State Minister for Education further reported that the Government had approved the Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Policy. The policy will pave way for an employer-led TVET System and TVET Qualification Framework. He added that MoES would soon come up with an ICT Education Policy to enhance access to the vast online resources.
Hon. Muyingo concluded his remarks by appreciating all partners who work with the Ministry of Education and Sports to ensure timely delivery of quality education and thanked WBG for the well-timed release of the report, noting that it will inform ongoing policy reform.
Article by Public Relations Office.
By Bernard Buteera & Carol Kasujja Adii
Moses Eteku, a Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Alumni at Makerere University and the co-founder of a Kampala-based youth Fintech start-up Farmpawa, has been selected among the finalists for a prestigious global award for the project.
Farmpawa is a crowd-farming platform that connects investors with tangible farming assets, empowering farmers and driving sustainable agricultural growth.
The start-up had an opportunity to showcase its strategic plan, which, once realized, could benefit many young people from the region.
The contest, which sought to identify the most viable youth project with an economic impact on the community, attracted over 300 teams from 30 countries in Africa and the rest of the world.
Moses Eteku, 27, founded Farmpawa with two partners, Medard Mutatina and Osborn Gumoshabe, in 2023. The project was selected as one of the ten semi-finalists in the Milken-Motsepe Prize in FinTech.
The Milken-Motsepe Prize in FinTech is designed to expand small businesses’ access to capital and financial services in emerging and frontier markets.
According to research, in 70% of emerging markets, SMEs are the primary source of formal employment, accounting for 70% of jobs.
Moses described the win as a miracle and an eye-opener, saying other participants presented world-class proposals.
“Most of my competitors were far advanced. I could not imagine I would be selected,” he said with a smile during the interview.
With this fund, Moses and his partners, Medard and Osborn, envision a future where agriculture bridges the gap, reduces inequality, and transforms the lives of farmers and individuals across Uganda and beyond.
Semi-finalists will participate in an Innovation Showcase at the Milken Institute’s Middle East and Africa Summit in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on December 5 to 6, 2024.
Each semi-finalist team receives $100,000 in funding. Three teams will be selected to move on to the final round, where they will compete for the $1 million Grand Prize.
Who is Moses Eteku
Eteku, a Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Alumni from Makerere University, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering.
His passion for changing the community has led him to start several projects, including giving the youth a chance to showcase their talents and connect them with relevant organizations and companies.
While at the University, he developed an interest in managing software. He repaired his classmates’ laptops and earned some money. In his third year, he decided to learn another skill. He teamed up with other members and built business solutions. He developed applications that improved the operations of organisations such as Makerere University Hospital, where he worked on the MakRTI mobile application.
One of his significant achievements was developing the MakRTI App, an Android-based mobile application designed to promote reproductive health awareness and improve access to treatment for students at Makerere University. The app provided critical information about reproductive tract infections (RTIs) and facilitated access to healthcare services through appointments and direct communication with specialists.
He also developed an app for students to access the Uganda Museum. Instead of going to the museum and waiting in line to pay, Students would book online, which eases access. At the same time, students can remotely access study materials like archives while at home.
Even when he completed University, he continued using various projects to educate youth on emerging issues.
Among his most impactful initiatives is Kauntabook, a financial record-keeping app targeting SMEs and individuals. The app simplifies financial management by offering tools to track income, expenses, and other bookkeeping functions. With over 800 users, Kauntabook continues to evolve based on user feedback, reflecting Eteku’s commitment to creating user-centric solutions.
Starting Farmpawa
Farmpawa was born from a shared vision among Moses, Medard and Osborn: to empower smallholder farmers in Uganda. Medard, then a Makerere University Business School student, Suggested to Moses and interested him in an idea he had seen in South Africa.
“I researched about it, and we decided to team up and pursue the idea,” Eteku said.
Together, they created a platform that connects farmers with investors, unlocking opportunities for sustainable growth in rural communities.
They aim to make agricultural investment accessible to all, enabling local economies to develop and foster shared prosperity.
“Since the launch of Farmpawa, we have established strong connections between investors and farmers that have directly led to job creation, community development, and wealth generation,” Eteku asserted. They started the business with friends and family who trusted and invested.
Benefits
Initially needing more solid information technology skills, Moses Eteku is now an IT expert.
His opportunities to interact with the Company’s Chief Executive Officers have helped him to improve his entrepreneurship skills.
Farmpawa offers key benefits by empowering smallholder farmers with access to capital, enabling them to expand their operations and improve their livelihoods. It provides investors with easy and transparent access to agricultural investments, promoting job creation, community development, and sustainable agriculture while contributing to economic growth and food security.
How Farmpawa works
Farmpawa enables users to invest in real farming assets while empowering smallholder farmers. Users begin by creating an account and funding their wallet through mobile money or bank transfers. With funds in their wallet, they can explore and select farming projects or assets, such as livestock, and purchase portions as shares added to their investment portfolio.
The platform has a dashboard where users can receive regular updates on project progress and asset performance, track deposit history, and receive tailored financial advice through a knowledge section. It ensures a transparent and efficient investment process while providing valuable farming insights.
Bernard Buteera and Carol Kasujja Adii form the Communications and Public Relations Team at Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, Makerere University.
Over 60 finalists and Graduating former student leaders from different Universities in Uganda, have been called upon to be active champions of peace in order to mitigate conflicts.
During the training conducted by Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre (JNLC) in partnership with Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), at Makerere University, experts on peace and security noted that they are engaging the youth in peace training because they are the current and future architects of unity and peace in Africa.
Speaking at the opening ceremony today (Tuesday 3rd December,2024), Dr. Nansozi Muwanga, the Executive Director of Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre, noted that the most important aspects of transformative leadership in particular, cannot be achieved, unless young people are equipped with the necessary skill sets as leaders that enable them forge solid partnerships to lead.
Dr Muwanga explained that JNLC is committed to continue to honour the legacy of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere by espousing his ideas and leadership ideals to realise the African liberation agenda, especially through empowering the youth.
Therefore, JNLC’s trainings go beyond traditional leadership ideologies. According to Dr. Muwanga, at their core is the emphasis on the importance of servant leadership, self-awareness, emotional intelligence, mental health and well-being, which are crucial elements for cultivating creative and resilient leaders who can navigate the challenges ahead with confidence and clarity.
Addressing students, Angella Kasekende, the Project Manager at the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung’s Regional Programme Security Dialogue for East Africa, reminded students that if they want to be good leaders, they need to be disciplined, consistent and have the drive and passion to contribute positively to their communities.
“We believe that young people can play a vital role in peace building, but many may not be able to access resources or get support to understand what it entails, gain the necessary skills and opportunities to be able to take part in peace and security initiatives, that is why we are pleased to provide such a platform,” Kasekende said.
According to Kasekende, the conflicts in the different parts of the world, such as the Ukraine-Russia war in Eastern Europe, the Israel-Hamas conflict in the Middle East, and the Sudanese war in East Africa, have led to a decline of security in different regions. She implored the students to take these trainings seriously to in order to understand and participate in the debates and practical measures designed to ensuring sustainable peace and development in Uganda and the region.
During the training, students were tipped on what it means to be involved in negotiations, understand the basics of conflict analysis, the links of emotional intelligence in peace and conflict resolution, how to evaluate peace building initiatives, the use of social media to advocate for peace and how to develop an action plan.
In his presentation, Philip Kasaija, an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at Makerere University, provided a deeper understanding of the situational analysis of peace and security issues in the region to help participants to grasp the complexities of current challenges.
“The Horn of Africa, is one of the conflict prone regions of the world. Therefore, youth who are part of the problem have to be part of the solution. Uganda’s problems can be addressed through dialogue. As youth, you have to stay away from conflicts because if conflicts happen, it will be the youth and women to suffer,” Prof Kasaija said.
During the training, Dr Edward Silvestre Kaweesi, from the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, cautioned the students leaders that they should never think of engaging in any conflict. He stressed that there is nothing constructive that comes with conflicts in a country.
“Don’t be deceived that you are going to be young for long, at all costs, one is supposed to avoid instances that drive people to conflicts. Violent conflicts come at a very high cost and can waste your youthful years,” Dr Kaweesi said.
Dr Kaweesi pointed out that in addition to consuming resources that could otherwise be used to cater for other essentials of life, conflicts can claim life.
“Civilisation has crumbled because of violence. Symbols of modernity like cities have been destroyed and population have been traumatized by violence and trust has been fractured. To avoid all that, a culture of peace needs to be cultivated among the youths,” Dr Kaweesi noted.
Dr. Gardner H. Rwakiseta, the Program Coordinator at JNLC, emphasized the importance of self-awareness and self-knowledge in resolving conflict and fostering sustainable peace. He noted that -emotional intelligence and mental wellness are vital for peace-building. “Do not hold on to your emotions, if crying will help you heal, cry even if you are a man,” he stated.
Dr. Solomon Winyi, a lecturer and coordinator of graduate programs in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, had an engaging session that highlighted how digital platforms can drive peace efforts and advocacy.
“Always develop content, videos and social media posts that advocate for peace initiatives. As digital natives, navigate online spaces and counter misinformation and articulate your perspectives because you represent a dynamic force in shaping the narratives surrounding social media and peace advocacy,” he said.
Dr. Winyi explained that using visuals such as infographics and videos, enhances the reach of peace advocacy messages.
“Integrating statistical data and personal testimonies into posts strengthens the arguments, demonstrating the real-world impact of peace initiatives,” Dr. Winyi said.
Speaking about financial literacy in conflict and peace building, Gloria Namata, a financial expert, pointed out that financial crisis ignites conflicts and therefore encouraged students to ensure that they leave the University with skills that will help them earn a living before they get the kind of jobs they desire. “Every time you make money, make sure you save 20%. The money you save is the payment to yourself. As you are saving, make sure you have a plan of investing and make an investment that is going to add value to you. Even if it is small or long term, invest and never despise humble beginnings,” Namata, guided.
General
Public Investment Management Centre of Excellence Launches Training on Economic and Stakeholder Analysis
The Public Investment Management (PIM) Centre of Excellence, housed at the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Makerere University, has commenced its advanced capacity-building training on Economic and Stakeholder Analysis. This two-week program has attracted economists from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) across Uganda, emphasizing the importance of integrated investment appraisal in public sector decision-making.
The training was officially opened today by Dr. Hennery Sebukeera, representing the Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Treasury (PSST) of the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development (MoFPED). In his remarks, Dr. Sebukeera acknowledged the collaborative efforts between MoFPED, Makerere University, and Cambridge Resources International (CRI), highlighting the program’s significance in equipping participants with expertise in evaluating the economic impacts of public projects. “This is a life changing opportunity for all of you attending this training,” Dr. Sebukeera, the Technical Adviser Budget, said.
A Platform for Excellence
Prof. Edward Bbaale, Director of the PIM Centre of Excellence and Principal of CoBAMS, expressed his gratitude to MoFPED for its financial support, which has been instrumental in sustaining the Centre’s initiatives. He also commended the participants’ resilience and commitment, as many are returning for their second phase of training following the completion of financial and risk analysis modules earlier this year.
“This advanced course blends theoretical frameworks with practical applications, enabling participants to appraise projects in critical sectors like roads, energy, water, and electricity from the perspective of the government budget and the economy,” said Prof. Bbaale.
A Collaborative Effort
The program features a robust partnership with Cambridge Resources International and Queen’s University in Canada, whose faculty members have played a pivotal role in shaping Uganda’s public investment landscape. CRI’s Executive Director, Dr. Mikhail, will personally facilitate sessions on microeconomics, economic opportunity costs, and stakeholder analysis, ensuring participants gain hands-on experience through lab sessions and case studies.
Makerere University’s Vice Chancellor and faculty were also lauded for their unwavering support in ensuring the Centre’s success, which extends beyond training to research and advisory roles for the government. The Centre recently revised the Development Committee guidelines for MoFPED and assessed project performance under Uganda’s National Development Plans.
Empowering Future Experts
Participants will receive a prestigious tripartite certificate from Makerere University, MoFPED, and Queen’s University upon completion. Prof. Bbaale urged the participants to embrace their role as ambassadors of Integrated Investment Appraisal, applying their skills to improve resource allocation and fiscal responsibility in their respective MDAs.
With a mission to enhance public investment management practices, the Centre continues to build a legacy of excellence, contributing significantly to Uganda’s socio-economic development.
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