Business & Management
Mak to Transform Refugee Communities through Entrepreneurship Training
A group of over 70 Somali refugees have today 25th October, 2021 started a three month-long training in entrepreneurship skills. The training, which took place at Lubiri High School is being conducted by Dr. Anthony Tibaingana, a Lecturer in the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS).
Dr. Tibaingana is a beneficiary of the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF). His research project is titled; Integrating refugees into Economic Activities through Mobile Entrepreneurship Skilling.
Speaking during the opening, Ms. Halima Muhammed, a refugee working with Norwegian Refugee Commission encouraged the participants to pursue their dreams of becoming successful at the businesses that they wish to start. She reminded them that they are the ones responsible for building Somalia and the skills they will get throughout the duration of the training will go a long way in helping them develop their communities. She hastened to add that customer care was key in running any business.
Dr. Tibaingana said the aim of the project is to skill refugees and aid their integration into the economy. It is hoped that this training will enable the refugees to contribute to the economic development of Uganda through paying taxes, increasing household incomes and creating employment for others.
The participants learnt that entrepreneurship in simple terms refers to seeing an opportunity and turning it into a business or enterprise. It is envisaged that at the end of the training, the refugees will know the different sources of business ideas, discuss different types of business, start a business, know where to get customers, run a successful business as well as know where to get capital investment. The participants learnt that for one to start a business, they need to identify a need. The training, was participatory in nature which allowed various people to share their ideas. The trainees shared their business ideas such as, having a sporting line, sale of Camel milk and Events Management among others.
The participants learnt that starting a business is taking a risk and therefore one needs to be ready as the bigger the risk, the bigger the return on investment and vice versa. “Do not promise your client what you can not provide because no customer likes being told a lie,” Dr. Tibaingana cautioned, adding that “the location of your business should be strategic.”
The trainees also learnt that there are three types of business ownership and therefore they need not do it alone. They can own businesses as individuals, partners and co-operatives. If a business is owned by partners or co-operatives, this allows for huge capital investments as well as spreads out the risk of the investment. The researcher also shared with them a checklist of the must-haves before starting a business, these included money/resources, Market and manpower among other things. One of the participants, Ali Muhammed hopes that he can start a successful business after this training.
This research is part of Makerere University’s core business of teaching, research and outreach. “This time we are taking the university to the vulnerable communities. These skills will enable them to make a life for themselves,” Dr. Tibaingana said. The researchers have worked with some community organizations such as Somalia Youth Action Organization (SOYA) in conducting the training. More trainings will be carried out in Kawempe, Makindye, Lungujja, Nakawa and Mengo.
Uganda is one of the largest refugee-hosting nations in the world, with over 1,400,000 refugees. The vast influx of refugees is due to several factors in Uganda’s neighboring countries, especially war and violence in South Sudan, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as well as associated economic crisis and political instability in the region. Uganda has relatively ‘friendly’ policies that provide rights to the refugees, such as rights to education, work, private property, healthcare and other basic social services. To this end, Makerere University, through her outreach programs is supporting government programs to offer the Somali refugee community an opportunity to be entrepreneurs, both here in Uganda and back home in Somalia.
The Research Team
- Dr. Anthony Tibaingana; Principal Investigator, Lecturer Department of Marketing and Management
- Dr. Faisal Buyinza; Senior Lecturer, Department of Economic Theory and Analysis
- Ms. Hanifa Nantale, Assistant Lecturer and PhD Student, CoBAMS
- Ms. Betty Tuhaise, Assistant Lecturer and PhD Student, CoBAMS
- Mr. Ronny Mulongo, Manager, Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU)
- Ms. Cathy Twongyeirwe; Business woman.
Betty Kyakuwa is the Principal Communication Officer, College of Business and Management Studies (CoBAMS)
Staff members from the Department of Population Studies, within the School of Statistics and Planning at Makerere University, have successfully completed a comprehensive three-day training on Doctoral Supervision. The training, held from June 28 to June 30, 2024, was meticulously conducted by esteemed faculty from the College of Education and External Studies, alongside experts from the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training.
The initiative, aimed at enhancing the supervisory skills of doctoral advisors, underscores Makerere University‘s commitment to academic excellence and robust research mentorship. The Deputy Principal of the College of Business and Management Sciences, Prof. James Wokadala, officiated the closing ceremony, commending the participants for their dedication and active engagement throughout the training sessions.
“We are committed to fostering a supportive and rigorous research environment for our doctoral candidates. This training is a testament to our dedication to academic excellence and effective mentorship,” remarked Prof. Wokadala in his closing address.
He said the college has got plans to improve PhD graduation levels, some of which include appointing two PhD coordinators per school. He asked the staff to exhibit high ethical standards while supervising the students.
The training program was generously funded by a grant from the Carnegie Corporation, secured by Dr. Patricia Ndugga. The grant facilitated a series of interactive workshops, case studies, and collaborative discussions, designed to equip the faculty with advanced supervisory techniques and strategies to support doctoral students effectively.
Dr. Patricia Ndugga expressed her gratitude for the support, stating, “This training is a significant step towards enhancing the quality of doctoral supervision at Makerere University. We are grateful to the Carnegie Corporation for their continued support in our quest to improve research training and mentorship.”
The participants, who included both seasoned and emerging academic staff, have expressed their enthusiasm for applying the new skills and knowledge gained to their supervisory roles, thereby enriching the academic journey of their doctoral students.
Makerere University remains steadfast in its mission to provide top-tier education and research training, continuously seeking avenues to enhance the capabilities of its faculty and the academic experience of its students.
In a key gathering at College of Business and Management Sciences’ School of Economics, stakeholders from diverse sectors convened yesterday (June 20, 24) to envision the future of economic education in Uganda. The occasion centered around the unveiling of the proposed Bachelor of Science in Development Economics, a program poised to reshape how economic challenges are addressed and opportunities harnessed in the country.
Among the esteemed speakers were Prof. Edward Bbaale, Principal of the college, and Prof. Ibrahim Mike Okumu, Dean of the School of Economics, whose shared enthusiasm for the new program underscored its potential impact. “This initiative aligns seamlessly with Uganda’s Development Goal Vision 2030 and the National Development Plan III (NDPIII),” Prof. Bbaale remarked. “Our aim is to empower students with the knowledge and skills to drive sustainable development across the nation.”
“Our aim is not only to contribute to the development of Uganda but also to impact the wider African region and beyond,” Prof. Bbaale said.
Development Economics, as emphasized by Prof. Okumu, represents a fusion of economic theory and practical application aimed at fostering inclusive growth and poverty reduction. “This program,” he explained, “is not just about classroom learning; it’s about preparing future economists to engage directly with real-world challenges and policy-making processes.”
With an emphasis on research-led teaching and innovative approaches to economic analysis, the Bachelor of Science in Development Economics aims to position graduates as thought leaders capable of driving sustainable economic growth and development.
The workshop provided a dynamic forum for stakeholders from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, as well as representatives from KCCA, CHUSS, CONAS, URA, and the private sector, to offer valuable insights. Discussions centered on curriculum design, industry relevance, and collaborative opportunities, reflecting a shared commitment to equipping graduates with the skills demanded by today’s economy.
“The Ministry of Finance recognizes the pivotal role of this program in advancing Uganda’s economic agenda,” noted a representative during the workshop. “By focusing on development economics, we are fostering a cadre of professionals capable of driving innovation and sustainable growth.”
From the private sector, there was a clear call for graduates who possess not only theoretical knowledge but also practical experience. “We look forward to collaborating with the School of Economics to ensure that students gain hands-on skills that are directly applicable to our evolving business landscape,” remarked a representative from a leading industry player.
Looking forward, the School of Economics aims to integrate stakeholder feedback into finalizing the program’s curriculum and securing necessary accreditation. With an emphasis on research and policy analysis, the Bachelor of Science in Development Economics aims to prepare graduates to become catalysts for change, equipped to navigate Uganda’s economic complexities.
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