Eng. Irene Batebe and Prof. Eria Hisali (Centre) with other officials and delegates from Ministries, Parliament, OWC and the Private Sector at the 2nd National Oil and Gas Symposium, 9th December 2021, CTF2 Auditorium, Makerere University.
The Government of Uganda has drafted the National Local Content Policy in an effort to encourage participation of the private sector in the oil and gas exploration. This was revealed by the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa, during the second annual National Oil and Gas symposium held on December 9, 2021 in the CTF 2 Auditorium, Makerere University. The symposium was run under the theme “National Content and Sustainability of Uganda’s Oil and Gas Sector”.
The Minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, Eng. Irene Batebe, said the government is engaged in skilling Ugandans because the oil and gas sector will create employment for the population directly, indirectly and by induction. She said the government had strengthened vocational training as well as training of farmers and SMEs to ensure they can compete in the industry.
The Permanent Secretary, Eng. Irene Batebe represented the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Hon. Ruth Nakabirwa at the 2nd National Oil and Gas Symposium.
“We have partnered with the German Government, Stanbic Bank and African Development Bank to train our SMEs and ensure they meet the environmental, health and safety standards required by the industry. With this we hope to see more Ugandans participate in the industry,” the Minister said. Because the oil and gas industry is a capital intensive sector, the Minister revealed that they are working with the Ministry of Finance to start a Local Content development fund with the aim of providing seed capital to SMEs and farmers to enable them supply goods and services to the oil and gas industry.
The Minister said the MEMD is training suppliers in an effort to equip them with knowledge of the required standards which will enable them participate in the oil sector. She added that the ministry is undertaking additional work of intensive exploration and a second licensing round with two companies, one of which is Uganda National Oil Company(UNOC), to run key projects such as developing oil fields and constructing supporting infrastructure. “With this, we hope to discover additional oil wells that will sustain the infrastructure we are putting in place,” she added.
The Principal CoBAMS, Prof. Eria Hisali represented the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe.
In his remarks read for him Prof. Eria Hisali the Principal College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, emphasized that the Symposium is very timely as it will help the stakeholders to understand how to participate in the development of the oil sector.
“Investments have started to flow into the country and will increase for the next three years. This provides an opportunity for our businesses to make money and build capacity which can be used beyond Uganda,” he said.
The Chief Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation Gen. Caleb Akandwanaho who participated online in his opening remarks said, “In the next 5 years, over 10 billion Dollars will be invested in the Albertine region”. He however asked pertinent questions “How are our food, security, logistics, engineering and consultancy companies prepared for the massive investment going to take place in the Albertine region?”
A screenshot of the Chief Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation, Gen. Caleb Akandwanaho delivering his remarks.
The investment in the region according to the Minister includes 14 fields under development, 6.4 billion barrels of oil and 5 billion cubic feet of gas.
The minister said the Ministry continues to support farmers’ associations in the Albertine region through training in areas of market access and optimization and a needs assessment will be done to underscore if they can supply the pipeline food needs. Responding to the main challenge of access to affordable financing the Minister assured the stakeholders of the planned discussion with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development so that a Local Content Development Fund is set up in effort to reiterate Government’s commitment in fostering local content and local participation.
Victoria Namusoke Kayemba, Sector Head, Oil & Gas, represented the CEO Stanbic Bank Uganda Limited Anne Juuko.
Hon. Dr. Emmanuel Otaala, the Chairperson for the Energy and Resources Committee of Parliament resounded the passing of the Oil and Gas bill saying when passed, the bill will offer opportunities to local suppliers. Dr. Otaala tasked the Ministry of Energy to expedite the proposal and process of the National Content Fund to allow Ugandans participate in the Oil and Gas sector by building skills and being able to financially stand on their own. He concluded by assuring the stakeholders of Parliament’s support.
“Parliament will stand with the public by passing the necessary legislation which will allow Ugandans to participate in the oil and gas sector and we want the development of the Pipeline to be in tandem with the development of the refinery,” he said.
The symposium was attended by companies in the oil and gas sector, private sector, banking sector, security sector, academia, government ministries and SMEs.
Betty Kyakuwa is the Principal Communication Officer, CoBAMS
The training, held from September 23rd to 26th, 2025 at the College of Business and Management Sciences, aimed at strengthening the capacity of government officials to effectively identify, prepare, and implement public projects.
The closing ceremony was officiated by Ms. Belinda Bisamaza, who represented the Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Treasury (PS/ST). In her remarks, Ms. Bisamaza commended participants for their commitment, noting that the training had offered a solid foundation in the entire PIM cycle — from project conceptualization and profiling, through monitoring and evaluation (M&E), to the use of the Integrated Bank of Projects (IBP), Environmental and Social Risk Management, and Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).
Prof. Eria Hisali
“With these skills, you can contribute meaningfully to improving the quality of proposals submitted to the IBP, ensure better risk management, and enhance implementation through robust monitoring frameworks,” she said, adding that participants were now better prepared for advanced modules on financial appraisal, risk analysis, and stakeholder engagement.
Representing the PIM Centre, Prof. Eria Hisali highlighted the need for well-prepared projects that directly contribute to economic growth. “We must move away from the practice of developing projects only when funding is required. Instead, we should create a strong bank of quality projects from which government can easily draw,” he said.
Training participants in session.
The Manager of the PIM Centre, Dr. John Sseruyange, expressed gratitude to the participants and trainers for their dedication. He noted that the facilitators were drawn from Makerere University, the National Planning Authority (NPA), and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED). Dr. Sseruyange also revealed that the Centre would be rolling out further in-depth training modules and creating opportunities for alumni to engage in consultancy and research work. The PIM Centre hosts the training as part of broader efforts by Makerere University, MoFPED, and NPA to strengthen Uganda’s public investment management systems, ensuring value for money, improved service delivery, and sustainable economic development.
Thirty-one government officers from Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) have successfully completed a two-week intensive training in the Certificate of Financial Implications (CFI) – Integrated Regulatory Cost-Benefit Analysis. The certification ceremony was held at the Pearl on the Nile Hotel, Jinja, marking another milestone in Uganda’s efforts to institutionalize evidence-based and fiscally responsible policymaking.
The training, delivered by the Makerere University Public Investment Management (PIM) Centre of Excellence in partnership with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED), and National Planning Authority equipped participants with practical skills to evaluate policy and legislative proposals for their financial, economic, and social implications.
Mr. Paul Mwanja.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Mr. Paul Mwanja, Commissioner for Infrastructure & Social Services at MoFPED, who represented the Permanent Secretary, commended the officers for their commitment at a time when government institutions are finalizing the Auditor General’s audits, implementing the FY2025/26 budget, rolling out the National Development Plan IV’s tenfold growth strategy, and preparing for the 2026 General Elections.
“Your participation affirms a collective commitment across Government to strengthen the quality, transparency, and credibility of public policymaking in Uganda,” Mr. Mwanja said. He urged graduates to return to their institutions as champions of reform, share their knowledge with colleagues, and drive the change needed in Public Finance Management. He also announced that the next cohort of the training will take place in January 2026.
Prof. Ibrahim Mike Okumu.
Prof. Ibrahim Mike Okumu, Dean of the School of Economics at Makerere University, delivered the graduation address, highlighting the certificate’s importance in addressing Uganda’s triple challenge of scale, scarcity, and speed.
“This program does something unique. It teaches you not only to ask whether a policy or project is beneficial, but also whether it is affordable and resilient under real fiscal constraints,” Prof. Okumu noted. He challenged graduates to apply their skills at project, portfolio, and policy levels—ensuring value for money and enhancing public trust in government spending.
Participants make a group presentation.
He further emphasized that Uganda’s pioneering approach to integrated CFI-CBA positions the country as a leader in Africa and beyond: “You, Uganda’s first CFI-CBA graduates, are now part of a global brain trust. Your work will speak to investors, parliaments, development partners, and above all, the Ugandan people.”
Dr. John Sseruyange, Manager of the PIM Centre of Excellence, expressed appreciation to participants for their active engagement throughout the training and thanked MoFPED and the faculty drawn from Makerere University, the National Planning Authority, Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Energy for their technical support.
Dr. John Sseruyange.
The Certificate of Financial Implications – Integrated Regulatory Cost-Benefit Analysis was introduced following the Revised Guidelines for Financial Clearance, effective July 1, 2025. The guidelines require MDAs to prepare their own financial implications statements, subject to rigorous cost-benefit analysis, thereby strengthening linkages between fiscal responsibility and regulatory impact assessments.
With the successful completion of the second cohort, Uganda is steadily building a critical mass of professionals capable of embedding cost-benefit thinking across government, ensuring every shilling delivers maximum impact for citizens.
A female participant receives her certificate.A male participant receives his certificate.
The Public Investment Management Centre of Excellence (PIM CoE) at Makerere University held its Steering Committee meeting on 4th September 2025 at Mestil Hotel in Kampala. The session, attended by all members, focused on reviewing progress, reflecting on achievements from the past financial year, and charting the way forward for the Centre.
About the PIM Centre of Excellence
The PIM CoE was established in March 2022 at Makerere University’s College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), in partnership with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED). Its purpose is to strengthen Uganda’s public investment management system through training, research, and advisory services.
The Steering Committee plays a critical role in oversight, review, coordination, and advisory functions, guiding the Centre’s work and ensuring that public investment processes align with national development priorities.
Dr. Joseph Muvawala.
Highlights from the Meeting
Speaking at the meeting, Dr. Joseph Muvawala, the Executive Director of the National Planning Authority, praised the October 2024 Annual PIM Conference for expanding perspectives on project design and delivery. He emphasized the importance of shifting from theory to practice in training, advocating for students and officials to engage with real-world projects. He also underscored the Centre’s new autonomy—transitioning from a subvention to a vote—which gives it greater independence but also demands stronger financial accountability. Dr. Muvawala further called for a permanent physical home for the Centre, noting that sufficient resources are available to make this possible and that negotiations with government are underway.
Mr. Ashaba Hannington, Director Budget at MoFPED, shared key achievements from the 2024/25 financial year. He noted that the Annual PIM Conference, organised jointly by MoFPED and the Centre, provided a vital platform for stakeholders to reflect on progress in public investment management.
Steering Committee Members and part of the Secretariat at the meeting.
Mr. Ashaba reaffirmed MoFPED’s commitment to working closely with the Centre to strengthen Uganda’s public investment capacity.
Prof. Eria Hisali (Left) and Mr. Hannington Ashaba (Right).
Prof. Eria Hisali, Co–Principal Investigator of the PIM CoE, outlined strategies to increase the Centre’s vibrancy and impact. He emphasized direct project engagement, advisory services, and peer reviews as ways to bridge the gap between theory and practice. Looking ahead, he revealed plans for a Master’s program in Economic and Investment Modelling, a Training of Trainers (ToT) initiative, and deeper practical capacity-building efforts.
Prof. Hisali also noted several successful trainings from the past year, including:
46 staff from MDAs trained in Essentials of PIM.
59 participants across two cohorts trained in Financial Appraisal and Risk Analysis.
25 participants trained in Economic Appraisal and Stakeholder Analysis.
He proposed the introduction of a “trailer feasibility test” to evaluate whether completed projects deliver benefits as projected and to address optimism bias in project planning.
Dr. John Sseruyange (Centre) with Prof. Tonny Oyana (Left) and Ms. Alice Nakimbugwe (Right).
Dr. John Seruyange, Manager of the PIM CoE, highlighted the Centre’s growing regional footprint. Beyond Uganda, six central government officers from Somalia have been trained in Infrastructure Asset Management, generating further interest in advanced training from Somalia, Zimbabwe, and Somaliland. To position itself as a regional hub, the Centre is preparing a prospectus to market its courses across Africa and beyond.
Why It Matters
The Steering Committee reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that the PIM CoE remains a leading think tank and capacity-building hub for government and regional partners. By improving the appraisal, financing, and implementation of public projects, the Centre is strengthening accountability, enhancing service delivery, and contributing to Uganda’s broader development goals.