Fort Portal, August 18, 2025 — The Public Investment Management Centre of Excellence (PIM CoE), in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED) and Cambridge Resources International (CRI), has kicked off a two-week intensive training on Economic Appraisal and Stakeholder Analysis for public officers from various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). The training, taking place from August 18 to 29, 2025 in Fort Portal, marks the final module of the Investment Appraisal and Risk Analysis (PIAR) II Course.

In his opening remarks, the Manager of PIM CoE, Dr John Sseruyange, welcomed participants and commended them for their commitment to completing the course. He emphasized that the training was designed to deepen participants’ skills in investment appraisal and ensure that government projects deliver tangible benefits to society. “This training is essential for understanding the impact of development initiatives on people’s welfare. I encourage you to give your undivided attention throughout these two weeks,” he noted. 

Speaking at the same event, Prof. Eria Hisali, Co-Principal Investigator of the PIM CoE, highlighted the centrality of this program to Uganda’s development agenda. He urged participants to appreciate the training not only for their personal growth but also for the wider benefit of the country. “Upon completion, you will be expected to add value by ensuring that only projects with the highest returns on investment and the greatest benefit to the economy are developed and implemented,” he said. 

Delivering the remarks of the Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Treasury (PSST), Principal Analyst-Ms. Esther Ayebare reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the Public Investment Management System (PIMS). She noted that the training would empower participants with critical tools for evaluating the economic and financial viability of projects in line with the PIMS framework.

 The PSST encouraged participants to seize the opportunity to engage, share expertise, and apply the knowledge gained in their professional roles to strengthen Uganda’s public investment outcomes.

The PIM CoE expressed gratitude to all partners for their continued collaboration and reaffirmed its commitment to building strong institutional and individual capacities for effective public investment management in Uganda.

The course content will cover a wide range of areas including:

• The role of Economic and Stakeholder Analysis in Investment Appraisal.
• Economic Analysis of Education, Human Capital, and Infrastructure Projects.
• Practical tools and frameworks for assessing the viability of public investments.

Participants will be guided by a team of expert facilitators from CRI, MoFPED, the National Planning Authority (NPA), and Makerere University, ensuring a blend of theoretical rigor and practical application. 

Makerere University, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, convened the 2^nd Public Investment Management (PIM) Conference on August 14, 2025, at the Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium.

Running under the theme “Overcoming Implementation Barriers in Public Investment Management for Fiscal Sustainability”, the conference brought together government officials, academics, development partners, and policy experts to reflect on Uganda’s investment journey, exchange knowledge, and strengthen implementation capacity across projects.

In his opening remarks, Professor Buyinza Mukadasi emphasized the importance of public investment management in driving sustainable economic growth while safeguarding fiscal responsibility. He stressed the need for large-scale, high-impact investments in infrastructure, industrialization, human capital, and social services—projects that are not only ambitious on paper but also practically implementable and measurable. Professor Buyinza also highlighted Makerere University’s role through its Public Investment Management Centre, which has trained public officials, revised government guidelines, and advanced evidence-based policy engagement. He reaffirmed the University’s continued commitment to training, research, and policy advocacy in investment planning.

Budget Director Mr. Ashaba Hannington placed the discussion within Uganda’s broader ambitions, pointing to the country’s target of expanding its economy from USD 16 billion to USD 500 billion. Achieving such transformation, he noted, requires a strong public investment management system to ensure efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability of projects. He cited the Cabinet’s recent approval of the National Public Investment Management Policy (2025), which provides a comprehensive framework to enhance efficiency across the entire investment cycle. The revised guidelines now integrate climate change considerations, enforce social and environmental safeguards, and streamline implementation to overcome bottlenecks.

Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury, Mr. Ramathan Ggoobi, reflected on challenges undermining project delivery, such as delays, cost overruns, and inefficiencies that erode public trust. He stressed the urgent need for accountability, performance-driven leadership, and stronger institutional coordination. He also underscored the role of the private sector and civil society, whose capacity and innovation can complement government efforts in ensuring effective implementation.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Donald Kaberuka, former President of the African Development Bank, placed Uganda’s challenges in a broader African context. He pointed out the continent’s persistent resource gap and urged governments to adopt smarter policies, strengthen institutions, and expand domestic revenue mobilization to reduce reliance on aid. He highlighted the importance of strategic investments in education, health, and infrastructure, while reminding participants that good policies must be not only technically sound but also politically feasible and practically implementable. Dr. Kaberuka further emphasized the need to focus on outcomes rather than outputs, optimize public spending, and seize emerging opportunities in climate resilience, digital innovation, and demographic dividends.

The conference closed with a call for renewed commitment to fiscal discipline, robust policy frameworks, and effective execution of investment projects. With Uganda’s ambitious economic aspirations, participants agreed that overcoming implementation barriers will require accountability, innovation, and collaboration between government, academia, and development partners. The 2^nd PIM Conference reaffirmed Makerere University’s role as a hub of research and capacity building in shaping the country’s investment future.

Welcoming the first year students to Makerere University, and to the College of Business and Management Sciences in particular, the Principal-Prof. Edward Bbaale said: “Prioritize your academics. I urge you to remain focused. This is your season of hard work. You are here to contribute to the transformation of Uganda and the world at large.”

The Principal made the remarks on Day One (5^th August 2025) of the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) Orientation.  Organised by the College Management and 91^st College Guild Council, the Orientation is scheduled to take place from 5^th to 8^th August 2025 at Makerere University Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility (CTF2 Auditorium).

The Principal congratulated the first year students upon joining CoBAMS-the leading training unit and supply chain of professionals in economics, business, statistics and planning fields.

“We are proud to be shaping the future economists, business leaders, entrepreneurs, policy analysts, actuaries, and statisticians who will go on to transform industries, drive public policy, and make impactful decisions globally,” he remarked.

Prof. Bbaale pointed out that the College consists of three (3) schools namely Economics, Business, as well as Statistics and Planning. Providing a brief on the leadership of the College, he mentioned the Deputy Principal-Associate Professor James Wokadala, the Dean, School of Economics-Associate Professor Ibrahim Mike Okumu, the Dean, School of Business-Associate Professor Godfrey Akileng, and the Dean, School of Statistics and Planning-Dr. Margaret Banga. With reference to the orientation programme, he informed the students that they would have specialized sessions with the Deans and staff of the respective schools on 6^th August 2025. The Principal also acknowledged Heads of Departments, and the College Management Board as key players in leadership.

Inspired by the rich and celebrated history of Makerere (established in 1922), Prof. Bbaale notified the students that the institution celebrated 100 years of excellent service to humanity in 2022, and has built a reputation that transcends borders. “The name, Makerere University is recognized, respected, and revered. I call upon you, to wholeheartedly guard and protect the institution’s name and reputation,” he said.

Tackling safety and well-being, Prof. Bbaale guided that safeguarding starts with an individual. He encouraged the students to read the Makerere University Safeguarding Policy to understand the safeguarding concerns, guidelines and responsibilities of the respective Offices. He informed the students that the College had safeguarding champions including a student representative, who have been trained to handle the safeguarding concerns, and to work closely with the students’ body to identify and report safeguarding matters.

He also cautioned the students against any forms of misconduct. “The University is committed to ensuring zero tolerance against sexual harassment, and exam malpractices. During the orientation, staff from the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate will provide a brief on the Policy and Regulations against Sexual Harassment, and the College Registrars will guide you on the academic policies.”

The address by the Principal set the pace for presentations on the following critical matters: Life at Campus, Guidance and Counselling, Makerere University Tuition Policy, Information Technology and Library resources, the Emerging Leaders Program (ELP), and a networking session with the 91^st College student leaders.

Building on to the Principal’s powerful message, the following University officials interacted and engaged students on 5^th August 2025:  Ms Juliet Mirembe Ssewankambo-Acting College Registrar,  Ms. Rose Nalwanga-Senior Counsellor,  Dr. Peace Musiimenta-Representative of the Emerging Leaders program team,  Mr. Peter Mubiru-College Bursar,  Ms. Claire Nakaseeta-from the College Library, Mr. Gilbert Nsazimaana-DICTS,  Ms. Namazzi Madrine Kayima-School of Economics Registrar, Ms. Stella Butamanya-School of Statistics and Planning Registrar, Ms. Ritah Namisango-Principal Communication Officer, and Mr. Moses Kibirango-Web Administrator.

From 6^th to 8^th August 2025, the student centered orientation features sessions on the following: Academic policies, orientation meetings with leadership of the respective Schools, understanding the responsibility of a student, health and wellness, brainteaser activities, gender mainstreaming, sensitization about the Red Cross, tour of the library and exposure to resources, as well as IT and hands-on-training.

Delighted that the first year students had turned up in big numbers, filling the auditorium to the brim, the Chairperson of the 91^st College Guild Council, Fahad Ssozi Batte, said the 2025 orientation was planned to provide a rich and rewarding experience to students, as they commence the academic year 2025/2026. In addition, Ssozi Batte noted that the information and knowledge shared would provide a firm foundation to the students about life on campus. He thanked the entire College student leadership for remaining steadfast in the advancement of student interests.