Business & Management
Academicians Retooled on the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA)
By Jane Anyango
Over 30 members of the academia comprising staff and graduate students from Makerere University School of Economics, Muni University and Makerere University Business School on 28th September, 2021 converged for a training on the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA).
The blended seminar held physically and virtually was organized by the Environment for Development Initiative (EfD-Mak) Centre facilitated by the Makerere University don, who is also Research Fellow at the EfD-Mak center and Fulbright Scholar Dr. Nickolas Kilimani.
Dr. Kilimani streamed live from the USA on the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting focusing on the Integrated Water Resources Management, Policy Analysis and Decision making.
Dr. Kilimani highlighted the recent developments in Environmental-Economic Accounting in Uganda, the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting and its objectives, Water resources accounting modules and the role of Water Accounting in Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM).
Dr. Kilimani observed that the national economic policy has been underpinned by macroeconomic theory and the necessary statistics are collected and arranged using the System of National Accounts (SNA) which covers all economic activity from production to consumption and accumulation, and all industries using the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as the key indicator.
He noted that the basic theoretical foundation of the SNA has not changed since 1953 even with the detail that has evolved with technological, economic and social change adding that, for more than 70 years, governments and business have used the information from the SNA as an information source in economic analysis and policy.
“The SNA does not adequately account for the environment and yet economic activity can adversely drive both observed and unobserved changes in it. The System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA) aims to address the deficiency of the traditional national accounting (the SNA) by accounting for the environment and linking it to environmental information through common concepts, definitions and classifications” Dr. Kilimani stated.
Compared to the SNA, Kilimani said, the SEEA is not yet widely used in decision making, partly because, it has recently been adopted as an international standard.
Dr. Kilimani said the objectives of SEEA are to develop a consistent data system for economic and environmental data and provide a common system to derive indicators and measure sustainable development.
He explained that the SEEA provides a better measure of national wealth to include not only produced capital but also natural capital, and assesses availability of natural resources, their use in production and final consumption and the cost of depletion. In addition Kilimani said, SEEA assess the level and cost of emissions and other waste from production and consumption and identifies monetary flows related to the environment which are already within the SNA (e.g., expenditures on environmental protection, environmental taxes and subsidies,etc.)
Dr. Kilimani underscored the role of Water Accounting in Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) noting that the growing pressure on water resources and high uncertainty on future water availability have caused the urgent need for better planning and management.
He emphasized that water is not only essential to cover basic needs for humans and the environment that underpins them, it is also a key factor for the economic development of diverse sectors with conflicting interests as regard to its use.
“The IWRM paradigm is considered a good approach to deal with those complexities. It proposes a coordinated utilization of water and land resources to support economic and social development without compromising environmental sustainability.
It recognizes that water management is a key aspect since human intervention is the trigger for all trade-offs and conflicts around water. IWRM highlights the influence of catchment management on water resources quantity and quality, as well as the need to preserve the natural capital for future generations.” He added.
Dr. Kilimani said Water management is considered a social, economic, and political issue rather than just technical and therefore, stakeholder involvement in water management is needed and this translates into legal requirements for public participation and transparency in water governance.
“The value of water, the opportunity costs of its allocation, or the costs of making it available should be known and recognized in order to incentivize water use efficiency. The implementation of those legal requirements calls for making information about water publicly available in a clear and accessible way. In this sense, water accounting emerges as a useful tool to promote efficiency and transparency in water resource planning and management”, Kilimani stated.
The current and proposed framework for IWRM in Uganda
Dr. Kilimani said the existing institutional and policy framework shows the multiple institutions charged with the management of water resources in Uganda, but, there is a need for an explicit connection between water sector policies and those of the social-economic sectors, since water resources are a key input into the country’s economic and social sectors.
“The institutional framework in Uganda, provides for a key component such as Water for Production. Institutions in charge of managing the productive sectors of the economy, i.e., MoFPED, (MAAIF), and the MTTI need to link their development plans and policies with those of the water sector. A sound national water policy should relate the different development plans of the social-economic sectors in an explicit manner”. Kilimani said.
In the (2015) paper, Dr. Kilimani and other researchers proposed a framework for policy analysis which relates the development plans for the different social-economic sectors to those of the water sector.
This framework he said is aimed at providing policy analysis of IWRM in a typical economy by linking e.g., agriculture, industry, households, hydro-electricity and navigation which are key sectors that primarily depend on water.
The don explained that development plans in these sectors involve several policy variables and inputs. Therefore, the interaction between the policy variables and their impacts are monitored through multiple indicators in the social-economic and ecological domains.
“Given the multiplicity of variables, the SEEA framework uses aggregated water data as do the existing approaches for analyzing the associated policy impacts.
Computable general equilibrium (CGE) models also use aggregation and hierarchical decomposition in order to simplify model development and data compression to manageable sizes.
While the aggregation hides some of the temporal and spatial variability, it still preserves the fundamental trends that help to provide needed answers by policy-makers”, Kilimani said.
SEEA, a new area of interest to academicians and the Government of Government
The Director EfD-Mak Center Prof. Edward Bbaale described the seminar as the most exciting because it brought on board a new area which is of interest to the Government of Uganda.
Prof. Bbaale said, Uganda Bureau of Statistics, the National Planning Authority and other partners are trying to work on the system of Environmental-Economic Accounting away from the conventional system of National Accounting.
“Our System of National Accounting is deficient in incorporating Environmental aspects because as we produce and consume, then in one way or another, we are depleting the environment which we refer to as natural capital and this natural capital is all the time depreciating but there is no way in our conventional GDP measurements that, but now, this new system is solution to this”, Prof. Bbaale stated.
From the academic perspective, Prof. Bbaale commended the facilitator for showing participants how to undertake the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting and ably bringing participants on board in terms of the key variables that are important in this new system specific to the water sector.
The Director appreciated Dr. Kilimani for exposing participants to the policy, non-policy and the output variables and giving tips on some methods such as the Computable general equilibrium (CGE) which can be utilized to understand the impact of a policy decision on the rest of the economy in terms of the social, economic and environmental outcome.
“The lesson here is that we need to invest our time into understanding this new System of Environmental-Economic Accounting as a way of incorporating new ventures in our research as economists and academicians. And to our graduate students, this is an area worthy of investing their time and I am glad that a number of graduate students attended this seminar”, Prof. Edward Bbaale said.
Prof. Bbaale said, a number of reports are already out and that SEEA is an area which is very virgin, where very limited research has been undertaken partly because of lack of numbers that incorporate the environment into the entire national analysis.
“But now, some strides have been taken, some milestones are being achieved and if our own, Dr. Nickolas Kilimani with a Fulbright Scholar in the US is having all these on his fingertips, it is a huge resource to Makerere University, to our country and it is a starting point of deeper analysis into how the environment is being affected when we are doing our production and consumption activities”, Prof. Bbaale said.
He reported that the seminar was quite intriguing and important for national policy and pledged to arrange to involve policy makers from the Ministry of Water and Environment and the National Water and Sewerage Corporation in the next seminar.
Participants comment on the seminar
Makerere University PhD student from the School of Economics Alex Aliga, who is also a lecturer at Muni University Uganda said the seminar was timely.
“It has enriched many of the things that I had learnt in class and I had taken for granted. The System of Environment and Economic Analysis though new is very important and interesting because once you begin to understand Natural Resource Accounting and integrate it into GDP, then we get to understand the full value of our resources. In that case, it means that we may actually be richer than what we thought we are. Some of these things are not easy to bring to the GDP which is the measure of our national economy.
I got many lessons; – understanding how you can apply the theoretical things into practical and to influence policy is very important for our country. Given the fact that our resources are under attack, climatic change and environmental issues are real, we need this knowledge so as to be able to sustainably use our resources for a better future”, Mr. Aliga said.
Dr. Paul Edabu, a Senior Lecturer at Muni University said:
“The day’s seminar was an eye opener to the current situation in Uganda bearing in mind that we have two blocks of people who are in accounts and economics and there is no integration even in our ministries.
Our country is at a paradox, today people are restricted to cut trees from the forests and also carrying out farming in the wetlands and the next day, a factory is erected in the wetland. This seminar is timely and something I had yearned to learn because it incorporates the environment as a key resource into the national accounting system”, Dr. Edabu commented.
SEEA and the Government of Uganda
Government of Uganda (GoU) is moving towards resource-led industrialization by developing a set of natural capital accounts under the Uganda Natural Capital Accounting (NCA) program. The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), National Development Plan, and Uganda Green Growth Development Strategy (UGGDS) recognize the challenges of development planning without accounting for its effect on natural resources, many of which are non-renewable.
In cognizance of the above, GoU with her development partner UNEP with its World Conservation Monitoring Centre arm is working with the Darwin Initiative to develop Natural Capital Accounts for Uganda.
The project is aligned with existing initiatives on natural capital accounting, i.e., the Gaborone Declaration for Sustainable Development in Africa, the UN project on Natural Capital Accounting, and the World Bank Wealth Accounting and the Valuation of Ecosystem Services programme.
The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) Ministry of Water and Environment, and Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development commenced with the development of land accounts and Water accounts in 2019. Under the NCA program, the country launched the Wood Asset and Forest Resources Accounts.
Natural Capital Accounting effort is based on the international statistical standard, System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA).
Jane Anyango is the Principal Communication Officer, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES)
Business & Management
Strengthening Europe-Africa Higher Education Collaboration through the NEAR-ER Project
Makerere University in Uganda, is implementing the Network on Europe and Africa Relations-Education and Research (NEAR-ER) project, which seeks to strengthen collaboration in higher education through dialogue, events, scholarly debates, exchange of best practices, and dissemination of research and techniques.
The NEAR-ER is a Jean Monnet policy network of 20 higher education institutions; 7 in Europe and 13 in Africa. The thematic areas include: Shared Peace, Shared Prosperity and Shared Spaces as expounded below:
Shared Peace-Democracy, Rule of Law, Justice and Positive Peace Initiatives; Shared Prosperity-Trade Relations, Development Cooperation and Sustainability; and Shared Spaces-Climate Change, Energy Cooperation and Population Movement
The implementation of the three year (December 2024 to November 2027), NEAR-ER project co-funded by the European Union, follows a successful response, to a call for proposals by researchers based at the School of Statistics and Planning under the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS). The NEAR-ER research team consists of the following: Dr. John M. Mushomi – Principal Investigator, Dr. Patricia Ndugga, Dr. Elizabeth Nansubuga, Dr. Olivia Nankinga, Dr. Nicholas Tunanukye and Dr. Fred Maniragaba.
Early Career Researchers and Graduate Students’ Dialogue
On 16th June 2025, Makerere University hosted the NEAR-ER dialogue targeting early career researchers and graduate students from higher education institutions in Uganda.
Featuring remarks from Makerere University officials, an overview of the NEAR-ER project, a panel discussion on the career prospects in the EU, and an interactive question and answer session, the dialogue presented an opportunity to participants to engage with leading scholars in Europe-Africa relations, network with academics across continents, explore research and career prospects in EU-Africa partnerships, contribute to meaningful discussions on contemporary challenges affecting both continents, and gain insights into current trends and future directions in Europe-Africa cooperation.
The following members of the NEAR-ER project tipped early career researchers and graduate students on Africa and Europe relations including research, partnerships, academics, access to scholarships, mobility, networking, and among other important aspects: Prof. Muller Gustavo-the Overall Principal Investigator from KU Lueveni, Prof. Chris Nshimbi-Africa Principal Investigator from University of Pretoria, and Dr. John A. Mushomi-Principal Investigator at Makerere University.
Tour of Makerere University Innovation Pod
Prior to the dialogue, the NEAR-ER delegation toured the Makerere University Innovation Pod (Mak Unipod). Reflecting on the tour, Prof. Muller Gustavo lauded the level of innovation, describing it as a promising space for African-centered academic advancement.
NEAR-ER delegation Courtesy meeting with the Vice Chancellor
The delegation participated in a courtesy meeting with the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, who was represented by the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi. The following University officials participated in the courtesy meeting held in the Vice Chancellor’s Board Room: Associate Prof. James Wokadala-Deputy Principal-College of Business and Management Sciences, Associate Prof. Ibrahim Mike Okumu-Dean, School of Economics, Dr. Margaret Banga-Dean, School of Statistics and Planning, and Dr. John A. Mushomi-Principal Investigator of the NEAR-Project at Makerere University.
Official Opening of the NEAR-ER dialogue
Opening the NEAR-ER Dialogue on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs-Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, underscored the significance of the event, as a defining moment in research collaboration in Africa and Europe. He emphasized that the academic convening provided a strategic platform for deep reflection, meaningful reconnection, and a renewed commitment to joint scholarship that promotes peace, shared prosperity, and inclusive development.
Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi noted that the activities of the NEAR-ER project were aligned with Makerere University’s strategic vision as well as Uganda’s national development agenda. He expressed optimism that the deliberations would spark innovative thinking, strengthen solidarity between Africa and Europe, and help shape a future rooted in shared values, mutual respect, and purposeful collaboration.
He encouraged the participants in the NEAR-ER dialogue to ensure that Africa embraces the Fourth Industrial Revolution through optimizing digitalization systems and processes. He challenged the participants to view the dialogue, as a call to action, and a catalyst for cultivating transformational African leaders equipped with relevant digital skills and employable knowledge. He stressed that the continent’s future hinged on preparing the next generation to confidently navigate and address the demands of the digital age.
Putting across a strong case for African institutions to take on leadership in the co-production of knowledge, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi said: “Africa’s development trajectory depends on homegrown ideas, African-led innovation, and the strategic harnessing of global partnerships to address local and global challenges.”
Highlights by the College Principal
The Principal, Prof. Edward Bbaale represented by the Deputy Principal, Associate Prof. James Wokadala, described the NEAR-ER project as a foundational moment in the redefinition of global academic cooperation from the heart of Africa. The Principal called upon the participants to utilize the dialogue to form enduring partnerships.
He underscored the College’s central role in advancing global academic collaboration, within the framework of EU-Africa partnerships in education and research. He noted that the dialogue marked a significant milestone through positioning CoBAMS as a vital conduit for strengthening cross-continental partnerships. He highlighted that the NEAR-ER network’s emphasis on education and research strongly aligned with the College’s mission to foster robust academic linkages between the Global North and South.
The Deputy Principal acknowledged CoBAMS’ unwavering dedication to advancing Makerere University’s agenda of becoming a global academic e-hub, particularly within the evolving landscape of EU-Africa relations. He reported that the College was actively undertaking strategic initiatives to deepen international engagement—initiatives designed to foster mutual learning, catalyze collaborative research, and create meaningful career development pathways.
“The College leadership has prioritized supporting young researchers and postgraduate students, thus empowering the next generation of scholars to thrive in an increasingly interconnected academic ecosystem,” he said.
Highlights from the Principal Investigator
Focusing on the critical role of students in academic institutions, Dr. John A. Mushomi, the Principal Investigator of the NEAR-ER project at Makerere University, said: “Our students are our main customers. We should therefore nurture and empower our learners through global research and engagements.”
Dr. Mushomi highlighted the importance of providing a “safe engagement space” for students and researchers. Reflecting on his academic journey, and postdoctoral fellowship, he acknowledged the relevance of seeking mentorship, citing it as an instrumental step in his path to the NEAR-ER network.
He also acknowledged the long-term collaborative efforts that led to the successful NEAR-ER grant proposal, notably involving both Makerere University and Kyambogo University.
Overview of the NEAR-ER project
Presenting the Overview of the NEAR-ER project, Prof. Muller Gustavo, a Senior Researcher at the London Centre for Global Government Studies underscored the critical importance of collaborative research and education between Europe and Africa. He noted that holding the first African convening/dialogue at Makerere University was both strategic and symbolic of the growing academic ties between the two continents.
Delving into the origins of the project, Prof. Gustavo revealed that the idea for the network was conceived approximately three years prior, where they envisioned a platform that would encourage dialogue, research, and exchange on topics central to Europe–Africa relations. They rallied scholars from diverse institutions, forming a vibrant and interdisciplinary consortium.
“Over the last three years, we put together a group of universities to foster and facilitate research and communication on relationships between Africa and Europe. The goal of the consortium is to disseminate the research and education practices, the best practices of education in Africa, in Europe, but also worldwide,” he said.
Prof. Gustavo highlighted that the NEAR-ER project will serve as a vehicle to foster best practices in education, research dissemination, and policy-relevant collaboration. He noted that the network intentionally included universities and institutions representing diverse linguistic and cultural contexts, affirming their commitment to inclusivity and comprehensive regional representation. According to Prof. Gustavo, this diversity strengthens the network’s mission to bridge educational and research gaps between the global north and south.
Beyond institutional collaboration, Prof. Gustavo emphasized the network’s commitment to public engagement and knowledge dissemination. He detailed a range of outputs already in motion, including research blogs, podcasts, newsletters, webinars, policy surveys, and country-specific forecasts.
Prof. Gustavo urged the students and young scholars to become active contributors to the NEAR-ER platform. He explained that the network is open to ideas from emerging voices—whether through blogs, podcasts, or other digital formats—and provides a unique opportunity for students to share perspectives and shape global discourse.
“There might be opportunities here for some of you that are interested in further increasing your knowledge on European integration, African integration, and the relationship between those two processes. You may be a student who has an idea on how to improve the relationship and looking at a particular aspect to get that idea out to the world, we can offer that destination platform for you as well,” Prof. Gustavo mentioned.
Remarks by the Dean, School of Statistics and Planning
Dr. Margaret Banga, the Dean of the School of Statistics and Planning, informed the participants, that the dialogue was a space to unite the varied disciplines and backgrounds present, all in pursuit of a shared vision for the future.
“The NEAR-ER initiative is more than a research collaboration. It is a bridge of solidarity between Europe and Africa—a platform where shared learning leads to shared solutions. It is not about the North teaching the south, but it is about learning from one another,” Dr. Banga said.
Standing as a firm believer in the transformative power of research, innovation, and youthful curiosity, Dr. Banga, underscored the importance of structure and strategy in translating ideas into impact. She encouraged the audience to treat planning as the bridge between possibility and progress. She stressed that without a clear methodology, timeline, partners, and budget, even the most brilliant ideas can fade into obscurity, but with a solid plan, those same ideas can evolve into funded projects, published policy briefs, and life-changing solutions.
To the young scholars, Dr. Banga issued a powerful call to action. “You are the thinkers who will unlock Africa’s economy,” she said. “You are the innovators who will shape climate resilience. You are the analysts and planners who will rethink development—not as something done for us, but as something shaped by us.”
With conviction and hope, Dr. Banga reminded the young scholars that they were not mere students, but emerging leaders, and agents of change. She urged them not to wait for some future moment of “expertise” before stepping up. She offered a critical reminder that every question they pose, every network they build, and every inquiry they pursue is already shaping the world, “Your research is not small because you are just starting out, your work has the power even now to improve lives and influence generations. Don’t just study the world. Change it.”
A voice from the PhD Students
Ms. Claire Cheremoi, President of the PhD Fellows at Makerere University, expressed her appreciation for the spirit of unity and collaboration fostered by the NEAR-ER dialogue. “Our voices matter. Coming together as students is powerful,” she said.
Ms. Cheremoi emphasized the value of collective engagement, stressing that such platforms were essential in facilitating the sharing of knowledge, fostering meaningful networks, and sparking critical discussions on the issues that matter most to young scholars. She stated their commitment to engaging in conversations on research funding, interdisciplinary collaboration, and broader academic partnerships.
A statement from the representative of undergraduate students
Mr. Ssozi Fahad Batte, Chairperson, Students Guild Council, College of Business and Management Sciences acknowledged the students had the zeal to learn, grow, and contribute meaningfully. In his view, the most significant outcome of such dialogues was the ability to extract value—something “to take home.”
He stated the critical role of documentation, urging fellow participants to write down their ideas, strategies, and action points in order to share them beyond the event. He also highlighted the importance of networking, stressing that connections and collaborations were central to growth in academia and beyond.
Panel discussion on Career Prospects in the EU
In a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Robert Ojambo from Kyambogo University, several international scholars shared invaluable insights on navigating academic and professional opportunities abroad—particularly for students and researchers from the Global South.
The panel discussion offered a wealth of practical insights for young scholars seeking academic and professional opportunities across borders. The panelists emphasized the importance of building trust-based networks, as well as, going beyond emails to form genuine relationships with professors, peers, and institutions.
Strategic planning emerged as a recurring theme during the panel discussion—highlighting the need to research language requirements, living costs, and cultural differences when selecting destinations. Participants encouraged scholars from the Global South to view their unique backgrounds as assets that contribute to valuable perspectives to global discourse.
Opportunities such as Intra-Africa Academic Mobility programs, and summer schools were also presented as transformative pathways that combine education, exposure, and networking. The discussion also stressed the power of initiative—actively reaching out, applying, volunteering, and making oneself visible in digital academic spaces. Importantly, career success was linked not just to passion, but to aligning one’s skills with institutional needs and being open to unpaid roles such as voluntary service that build experience and credibility. The overall message was clear: international academic success requires preparation, adaptability, and the courage to take the first step.
As participants engaged across these thematic areas, the NEAR-ER dialogue underscored the central role of universities in bridging regions, amplifying diverse voices, and generating research-driven responses to global emergencies. The NEAR-ER dialogue held at Makerere University was not just a reflection of academic solidarity—it was a declaration of shared purpose and a call to action in re-imagining a more just, peaceful, and sustainable future across continents.
Business & Management
Prudential Uganda invests UGX 135 million in Makerere’s Top 5 Actuarial Graduates
In a strategic move aimed at strengthening Uganda’s financial and insurance sectors, Prudential Uganda has awarded UGX 135 million to the top five graduates of Makerere University’s Actuarial Science program, underscoring its firm commitment to nurturing globally competitive actuarial talent within the country.
The initiative, operating under the Prudential Actuarial Support Scheme (PASS) is a transformative partnership launched in 2022 between Prudential Uganda and Makerere University, anchored in a five-year renewable agreement aimed at cultivating professional excellence in actuarial science through merit-based support. Under this scheme, the top five actuarial graduates from the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) at Makerere University are each awarded a cash prize of USD 500—a tangible recognition of academic brilliance and perseverance.
Beyond the monetary reward, PASS provides a robust framework of academic and professional support, including sponsorship for globally recognized certification exams, industry mentorship, and hands-on training opportunities. This holistic approach ensures that Uganda’s brightest actuarial minds are not only celebrated, but also empowered to thrive on the global stage.
During a press conference held on 11th June 2025, the five exceptional graduates were recognized for their academic excellence and potential to shape the future of Uganda’s financial services industry. Mr. Brendan Joseph Lule, Mr. Gordon Twinomujuni, Mr. Allan Galabuzi, Ms. Daphine Katana, and Mr. Kenneth Inyangat—each received a cash prize of USD 500 and full sponsorship for globally recognized actuarial certification exams. This award positions them on an accelerated path toward international professional accreditation.
Speaking during the press briefing, Prof. Edward Bbaale, Principal of the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), applauded the partnership between Makerere University and Prudential Assurance Uganda for coming up with an initiative that inspires students to aim higher and a clear message that their hard work is recognized and valued beyond the lecture halls.
Prof. Bbaale described the collaboration, formalized under PASS as a transformative coalition that would significantly shape the future of actuarial science education in Uganda. He emphasized the real-world value of the support offered through the scheme, noting that at least 10 students undertook professional actuarial exams under the initiative. He highlighted that the top-performing student is further rewarded with a one-year apprenticeship at Prudential Uganda—an opportunity he described a profound investment in hands-on experience and career development. He reported that at least two graduates had benefited from this prestigious placement, gaining invaluable industry exposure that bridges academic excellence with professional practice.
“The PASS is a visionary initiative that rewards academic excellence and builds professional capacity. Through this scheme, the top five actuarial science graduates each year will receive cash prizes of $500. They will also benefit from support for professional certification exams, including those offered by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries and the Society of Actuaries,” Prof. Bbaale remarked.
At the national level, Prof. Bbaale emphasized that the collaboration between Makerere University and Prudential Uganda directly addresses Uganda’s pressing need for skilled actuaries in key sectors such as insurance, pensions, and healthcare. He noted that the Prudential Actuarial Support Scheme effectively aligns academic training with industry demands, thereby enhancing the relevance of university education in the context of national development. He remarked that this alignment contributes meaningfully to Uganda’s human capital development agenda and supports the broader goal of strengthening institutional capacity in financial risk management.
The Principal commended Prudential Assurance Uganda for their visionary support and long-term commitment. He said the partnership with Makerere University College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) represents more than a financial investment, but a bold step toward professionalizing actuarial education in Uganda and preparing students for leadership and service in the financial sector. “Together, we are building a stronger, more skilled Uganda—one actuary at a time,” he affirmed.
Describing the occasion as a celebration of excellence, resilience, and the immense potential of a new generation of actuaries destined to shape Uganda’s insurance and financial landscape, Mr. Tetteh Ayitevie, Chief Executive Officer of Prudential Uganda, expressed deep pride in the Prudential Actuarial Support Scheme.
He stated that the initiative is a bold and forward-looking investment in the country’s actuarial leadership. He commended the graduates for their academic tenacity and discipline, noting that their achievements reflected not only personal merit, but also the promise of a stronger, self-sustaining insurance sector.
“You have survived the course load, and now, you are stepping into the real world ready to contribute meaningfully. We see you. We believe in you. And we are proud of you,” Mr. Ayitevie said.
He reiterated the crucial role of actuarial science in modern economies, highlighting it as the engine behind robust insurance frameworks, risk modeling, and long-term financial planning. According to Mr. Ayitevie, despite its understated visibility, actuarial work underpins the stability of entire financial systems, and Uganda must rise to the challenge of building this critical professional cadre.
“Actuarial science may not be the loudest career path, but it is one of the most vital. It’s the heartbeat of any insurance company. It’s where math meets life. It’s where you predict risks, protect people, and create sustainable financial systems,” he stated.
He also drew attention to the glaring gap in Uganda’s actuarial landscape, noting the country’s limited number of certified actuaries in contrast to its population size. He stressed the urgency of cultivating homegrown expertise rather than relying on outsourced talent, positioning the Prudential Actuarial Support Scheme as a strategic intervention to reverse this trend.
On 4th June 2025, the leadership and academic staff from the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) participated in a training workshop aimed at empowering them with knowledge and techniques on grants administration and management.
Featuring presentations on understanding the Grants Administration and Management Support Unit (GAMSU) key processes and systems, compliance and accountability, the eMakGAM (Makerere University Grants Management System), and an Open dialogue, the training workshop presented the leadership and academic staff from CoBAMS with a platform to gain a deeper understanding of this vital area.
It is envisaged that the training workshops will not only onboard members of staff to support the operations of GAMSU, but also mobilize staff to write and win grants.
Welcoming the participants, the Head of GAMSU, Prof. Sylvia Antonia Nakimera Nannyonga-Tamusuza, articulated the deliberate plan to hold continuous engagements with members of staff at different levels to position them to appreciate their role in the grants administration and management chain.
Whereas the 4th June 2025 training workshop targeted academic staff at CoBAMS, Prof. Nannyonga-Tamusuza reported that, GAMSU was scheduled to train finance managers, accountants and project managers on 7th June 2025.
Recognizing that funding accessed through grants at the national and global levels significantly contributes to the implementation of Makerere University’s core activities in the fields of research, teaching and learning, community engagements, and knowledge transfer partnerships, Prof. Nannyonga-Tamusuza elaborated that the planned engagements would provide a platform to members of staff to actively contribute to grants administration and management.
Acknowledging that grant writing and awards lead to a win-win situation for both Makerere University and the grant writer, the Head of GAMSU, called upon academic staff to embrace the capacity building sessions.
“CoBAMS has over 120 academic staff. If each member of staff committed to writing and winning at least two (2) research grants, I envision increased research at the national and global levels, increased publications, staff and student mobility, scholarships, international recognition, and improved staff welfare,’ she said.
Prof. Nannyonga-Tamusuza revealed that GAMSU will be working with some members of staff from CoBAMS who have been core in grant writing to train, onboard and mentor others in order to expand the grant profile of Makerere University.
She advised academic staff to form a research team that can compete for grants. “The formation of a team ensures that staff with different strengths, abilities and competencies are brought on board, which enhances your chances of winning the grant,” she stated.
Prof. Nannyonga-Tamusuza encouraged the leadership and staff to submit themes that they are interested in, so as to inform GAMSU on the grant calls or proposals to send their way.
Opening the training workshop, the College Principal, Prof. Edward Bbaale, who has written and won grants, emphasized the need to account for funds awarded. Referring to the binding contracts/agreements that clearly stipulate that money received through grants should not be personalized, the Principal urged academic staff and Principal Investigators to adhere to the guidelines.
The Principal notified the participants that the government has prioritized grants management. He elaborated that University leadership and Principal Investigators have been tasked by the Office of the Auditor General to ensure value for money in grants management.
In his submission, the Deputy Principal of the College, Associate Professor James Wokadala rallied academic staff to change their mindset and include grant writing among their priorities. He also advised them to overcome the inherent fear of starting to write, the failure to create time to write, and the discomfort that comes with unsuccessful attempts. He reiterated that the training workshops were aimed at strengthening the relationship among staff and GAMSU, forging linkages with experienced grant writers, and opening up networks. The Deputy Principal disclosed that the College and GAMSU would hold mindset change training workshops, and expressed the readiness of the College leadership to facilitate and support staff to gain traction in grant writing.
Presentation on grants administration and management
The participants listened to presentations from Prof. Nannyonga-Tamusuza, the Head of GAMSU and Mr. Mordecai Tayebwa, the Grants Manager at the Makerere University College of Health Sciences:
In her presentation, Prof. Nannyonga-Tamusuza emphasized the need to read every detail in the contract/award document.
Presenting the key stages supported by GAMSU namely the Pre-Award, Award, Post-Award, Audit and Close-Out, she observed that sometimes, Principal Investigators forget the Close-Out phase. Emphasizing that the Close-Out phase is a vital step in grants administration and management, she sensitized the participants to always Close-Out the program/project.
Stating the difference between grants and consultancies, she explained that GAMSU does not handle consultancies. She reiterated that the role of GAMSU is restricted to grants.
On the mandate of GAMSU, Prof. Nannyonga-Tamusuza stated that the Unit was established by Makerere University Grants Administration and Management Policy in 2020 approved by the University Council. Its mandate involves the following: Registering and renewing Makerere University’s membership on funding grants/platforms, sensitizing units about grants administration and management, sharing grant calls, linking researchers with possible funders, participating in grant negotiations after the award and during the signing of agreements, supporting grant entry on the Grants database, creating links among researchers, monitoring and evaluation of progress reports, and grant close-out.
She informed the participants that GAMSU had automated the entire grant cycle, and appealed to principal investigators, researchers and staff with grants to register them online via: https://gamsuportal.mak.ac.ug
Mr. Mordecai Tayebwa, a CoBAMS alumnus who works closely with GAMSU, underscored the need for compliance, transparency and accountability in grants administration and management. Mr. Tayebwa rallied the Principal Investigators and research teams to always hold a kick-off meeting so that each Member of the team understands and appreciates his or her role, as well as, the expectations, the do’s and don’ts , the timelines and deliverables. He advised the participants to document every step about the grant, which involves keeping every record about the grant in an organized and accessible format. He urged GAMSU and the leadership at CoBAMS to institute a support system or project administrators to document grants.
Way forward
Building on to the GAMSU trainings, some of the capacity building engagements will focus on identification of grant writers and winners at the College and pairing them with early career faculty members/researchers for mentorship. The strategies would entail strengthening the college grants management unit, conducting specialized trainings aimed at mindset change among the early career faculty/researchers, identification of GAMSU ambassadors at the College level as well as deliberate efforts to operationalize a college support team that liaises with GAMSU and the Principal Investigators.
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