The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (4th R), Director EfD Global Network Assoc. Prof. Gunnar Kohlin (4th L) and Principal CoBAMs-Prof. Eria Hisali (3rd L) with Swedish and Mak teams after the meeting in the Vice Chancellor’s Office in CTF1 on 22nd November 2021.
A delegation of Swedish environmental economists on 22nd November 2021, visited Makerere University to discuss collaborative academic and research initiatives in environment and sustainable development.
The delegation was led by the Director EfD Global Network Assoc. Prof. Gunnar Kohlin from the University of Gothenburg.
The team paid a courtesy call on the office of the Director of Graduate Research and Training, the Office of the Vice Chancellor, Office of the Principal College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS). The team also held a meeting with EfD-Mak research fellows during which the Director, EfD-Mak Centre Prof. Edward Bbaale addressed the guests and participants virtually from Ghana.
The Swedish team was in Uganda to attend the three-day IGE cross-country National Policy Review and Training Workshop in Speke Resort Munyonyo Hotel, from November 23-25, 2021.
Director EfD Global Network Assoc. Prof. Gunnar Kohlin (2nd R) and his team are received upon arrival at CoBAMS by the Principal-Prof. Eria Hisali (2nd L) and the EfD-Mak Team
The function is being organized by the EfD-Mak Centre, Uganda in collaboration with University of Gothenburg, as part of the activities of the Inclusive Green Economy (IGE) capacity building programme for senior civil servants and policy makers sponsored by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).
The purpose of the National Policy Review (NPR) training is to strengthen cross-country peer learning by conducting an analytical review of their neighboring country’s NPR, and strengthen networks on Inclusive Green Economy in the region.
The visit by the Swedish team was also in preparation for the EfD Global Annual conference to be hosted by EfD-Mak-Centre at Makerere University next year 2022.
Prof.Gunnar met with the university top officials including the Director Graduate Research and Training Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, the Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Principal College of Business and Managemnet Sciences Assoc. Professor Eria Hisali before meeting the EfD-Mak research fellows.
The EfD Team during their meeting with the Director DRGT-Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi (3rd R) in his office.
Prof. Gunnar Kohlin who was making his maiden visit to Uganda and Makerere University since the inception of the centre in 2019, commended the EfD-Mak Centre for being active and progressive in implementing the activities across the country including policy dialogues, training researchers and civil servants.
Prof. Gunnar appreciated the collaborative efforts between the School of Agricultural Sciences in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and the School of Economics in the College of Business and Management Sciences for nurturing the EfD-Mak-Centre and implementing a number of activities.
In different meetings with university officials Prof. Gunnar discussed ideas of how to move the EfD research agenda forward.
“The clock is ticking and we have just started a decade to move the global Agenda 2030 and to deal with the implementation of the Paris Agreement to address many challenges such biodiversity loss, climate change, deforestation among others”
Assoc. Prof. Gunnar Kohlin (2nd L) and his team during their interaction with Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi.
Prof. Gunnar emphasised the need for the academia to join the global efforts to implement the conventions and commitments. Academia in the past choose to stand aside and not actively join the policy discussions but now, given the urgency of the global challenges academia needs to be brought on board and commit to the implementation of national and international agreements.”
Prof. Gunnar said this can be done through intensification of research, building academic programs and forming multidisciplinary research teams to conduct joint research to effectively solve the problems.
Other strategies discussed include the development of short term and full-blown academic training programmes tailored to the country’s need, integrating short and long term training programs in the university curriculum, having new standalone programs and expanding the needs assessment on what capacities are needed to deliver.
Prof. Gunnar and the university officials agreed on the need to institutionalize the EfD-Mak Centre beyond just being a project, bringing on board more international funding
Part of the institutionalization and sustainability efforts discussed included the move to engage government to take over the EfD initiative and streamlining it in the budgeting process, integrating the center activities within the university curriculum and research.
Research Fellows pose for a group photo with the Swedish delegation after their interaction in the EfD-Mak Centre, Central Teaching Facility 2 (CTF2), Makerere University.
The other idea is integrating the center activities in the college and unit levels for instance formulating policy labs, and developing a student internship model and to equip students to be able to them conduct outreach and advocacy activities on environment in communities.
It was also suggested that besides international funding, there is need for university commitment to create and integrate the EfD initiatives into the university financial system so that the center is part and parcel of the university.
Researchers were also called upon to leverage institutional support from EfD secretariat to bring in more international funding to the university. Key priority areas of focus in the Swedish collaboration with Uganda according to Prof. Gunnar are Human Rights, democracy and rule of law, gender equality, and environment. Climate change, inclusive economic development, quality health and reproductive rights.
Prof. Gunnar applauded Makerere University for ensuring interdisciplinary approach in implementing the activities of the center saying, this EfD is not a project to take away but to build institutions saying, the Global hub was focusing on building capacity and ready to support this.
Makerere University, through the Institute of Gender and Development Studies in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), on 20th August 2025 commenced a training program focusing on procurement and business development for women in business. The two sessions, which brought together women from diverse business sectors, were held at the Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility. The training covered critical areas such as business requirements and strategic positioning, access to credit—particularly the Women in Business initiative by Stanbic Bank—and navigating procurement processes in the public service, among other vital aspects.
In his remarks, Mr. Paul Agaba, Director of the Procurement and Disposal Unit (PDU) at Makerere University, outlined relevant laws and shed light on reservation schemes for women-owned businesses. He detailed the requirements for companies to participate in procurement reserved for women, the necessary qualifying documents, and the benefits associated with such schemes. Mr. Agaba referred to the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets (PPDA) Act of 2003, a law aimed at regulating procurement processes while enhancing service delivery and ensuring value for money. He noted that the Act has undergone several amendments to address emerging issues and reinforce principles of fairness and inclusivity, including measures to integrate previously marginalized groups—women, youth, and persons with disabilities—into business opportunities.
He further emphasized that reservation schemes are designed to provide incentives for women-owned businesses. To qualify, a business must be registered with the appropriate authorities, with at least 51% of its shares owned by one or more Ugandan women. On specific requirements, he highlighted the need for registration with the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), annual registration with the PPDA to be listed among providers, and documentation proving 51% female shareholding. However, Mr. Agaba noted that more effort is needed to actualize some provisions, such as ensuring that 15% of every procurement plan in public institutions and all procurements below UGX 30 million are reserved for women.
Representing UNDP, Ms. Beatrice Nabagya Mugambe, whose organization funded the training, underscored the importance of the program, describing it as a response to critical gaps identified through organizational assessments and surveys. She observed that despite ongoing efforts in gender-responsive procurement, women’s participation in procurement processes remains limited—a challenge not unique to Makerere but also evident across other agencies. She pointed to barriers such as lack of capital, insufficient information about bid opportunities and procedures, perceptions that bid amounts are beyond their reach, and limited business networks that could otherwise facilitate collective bidding. She stressed that such limitations can be overcome through collective action.
Addressing the topic of access to credit, Mr. Joel Mukasa, Relationship Manager at Stanbic Bank, highlighted opportunities available to women-owned businesses through the bank. Drawing from over seven years of experience, he noted that women tend to be better business managers, with 90% of loans disbursed to women being repaid, compared to less than 50% among men, attributing the gap to men often diverting business funds for personal use. Mr. Mukasa explained that Stanbic Bank has established several initiatives tailored for women, including the ‘Grow Project’ in partnership with the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) and the government, and the ‘Stanbic for Her’ program. He clarified that the ‘Grow Project’ does not provide free money but rather credit facilities designed for active women entrepreneurs. To qualify, businesses must be registered as sole proprietorships headed by women, companies with at least 51% female shareholding, partnerships led by women, or formal/informal savings groups composed entirely of women. Applicants are also required to have an operational account with Stanbic Bank for at least six months, which eases qualification without the need for audited books.
Prof. Sarah Ssali, Head of the Institute of Gender and Development Studies, reaffirmed Makerere University’s commitment to gender equity and justice as central pillars of its operations. She noted that Makerere is the first public institution globally to apply for the UNDP’s Gender Equality Seal, with the process beginning in 2022. As part of this commitment, the university is evaluated on gender parity in student enrollment. Since 1991, initiatives such as the 1.5 scheme, the establishment of a gender institute, and other affirmative action programs, including those addressing disability and inclusion, have been implemented to promote gender balance among students.
She added that as a gender-responsive employer, the university emphasizes women’s representation in its workforce, particularly in leadership and staffing. Makerere has a comprehensive Gender Equality Policy and Framework supported by affirmative action, which has significantly increased women’s representation in both employment and leadership roles. However, Prof. Ssali acknowledged that challenges persist in the area of procurement. Bound by the PPDA Act, the university cannot impose gender quotas since bidding is based on merit and fair competition. Low participation of women in bids is often due to their operation at a micro-level, lack of familiarity with the PPDA Act, and insufficient capital to handle large contracts.
To address these challenges, Prof. Ssali said Makerere is exploring lawful strategies to promote gender parity in procurement. The main focus is to strengthen women-owned businesses so they can compete effectively for large contracts, while also supporting small and medium women entrepreneurs as they scale up. She explained that the current workshop was deliberately designed for women in business, with participation restricted to women-owned companies. Its primary goal was to build competitiveness by equipping participants with knowledge of pre-qualification, bid submission, assessment, appraisal, and selection processes—ensuring women-owned businesses are fully integrated into Makerere’s procurement activities as part of the university’s broader gender inclusivity agenda.
Ms. Sara Nakibuuka, a practicing procurement professional at Makerere University, stressed the importance of such initiatives in supporting women entrepreneurs. She encouraged women to take full advantage of provisions under the existing Acts of Parliament to expand their business opportunities and strengthen their market presence.
The Women in Business Training 2025 was moderated by Donna Keirungi, a member of the Makerere University Gender Equality Seal implementation team.
The Makerere University Innovation Pod is thrilled to announce the launch of the E-Mobility Skilling Programme: Cohort 2, in partnership with Kiira Motors Corporation and UNDP Uganda! This immersive one-year program offers exceptional Bachelor of Science and related discipline students (2nd-3rd year) the opportunity to gain cutting-edge skills in electric vehicle technology.
We are seeking motivated individuals from Physics, various Engineering fields, Industrial Art, Architecture, and Business (Marketing) with a strong academic record. Participants will engage in hands-on training, industrial immersion at Kiira Motors, and contribute to the development of the “Moonshot Project.”
Apply by September 1, 2025, to be part of this transformative skilling initiative. Female students are strongly encouraged to apply.
Invitation to bid for Consultancy Services for Midterm Review of The Embassy of The Kingdom of Netherlands Funded Project; Securing Refugee-Host Relations Through Enhanced Protection, under Refugee Law Project, School of Law, Makerere University. Proc. Ref. No. MAK/SRVCS/2025-26/00013
The Makerere University under Refugee Law Project has allocated funds to be used for the acquisition of Consultancy Services for Midterm Review of The Embassy of The Kingdom of Netherlands Funded Project; Securing Refugee-Host Relations Through Enhanced Protection, under Refugee Law Project, School of Law, Makerere University.
The Entity invites sealed bids from eligible bidders for the provision of the above consultancy services.
Bidding will be conducted in accordance with the open domestic bidding procedures contained in the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act, 2003, and is open to all bidders.
Interested eligible bidders may obtain further information and inspect the bidding documents at the address given below at 8(a) from 8:00am to 5:00pm.
The Bidding Documents in English may be purchased by interested bidders on the submission of a written application to the address at 2 above and upon payment of a non-refundable fee of UGX. 100,000/= (One Hundred Thousand), only. The method of payment shall be cash payment after downloading Application Advice Slip from https://payments.mak.ac.ug/ and thereafter obtain a receipt from the bank before picking the document.
Proposals must be delivered to the address below at 8(c) at or before 10:00am on Wednesday 20th August 2025. All proposals must be accompanied by a proposal securing declaration which must be valid until 28th February 2026. Late proposals shall be rejected. Proposals will be opened in the presence of the consultants’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below at 8(a) at 10:15am on 20th August 2025.