Business & Management
Government encouraged to provide tax exemptions and incentives to SMEs
The research findings of the project titled “Embracing Social Entrepreneurship as a catalyst to sustainable business growth in Uganda” were disseminated on Wednesday 8th December 2021 at the CoBAMS Conference Room at the School of Business. The purpose of the study was to examine social entrepreneurship as a strategy that could promote sustainable business growth in Uganda.
Assoc. Prof. Peter Turyakira, the Principal Investigator of the project shared findings which revealed that social entrepreneurship is perceived as a business strategy that is intended to solve community-based problems while making some profits to sustain business activities. He also noted that according to their study, women are more likely to get involved in voluntary activities than men; while men and women differ in the nature of social enterprises that they initiate.
While presenting his research, Assoc. Prof. Turyakira shared that social entrepreneurship significantly affects sustainable business growth. However, the high cost of operating a business significantly constrains sustainable social enterprises’ growth in Uganda.
The study recommended that the government of Uganda build a financial spectrum that could enable social entrepreneurs access grants for incubation. The study also recommended the provision of preferential funding to social enterprises as well as the provision of tax exemptions, incentives and an enabling legal and regulatory framework to further encourage the establishment and growth of MSMEs.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Trade and Cooperatives, Ms. Geraldine Ssali, commended the team upon bringing to light findings that show the importance of social entrepreneurship to our country. She further stressed the importance of having courses and curriculums that focus on skills that are relevant for use in the workplace with entrepreneurship and business being at the forefront of all. Ms. Ssali discouraged members present from cocooning themselves to employment only, because there are no jobs. Rather, she encouraged them to start their own businesses and to use their jobs to get capital to invest into their businesses.
In his remarks at the dissemination workshop, the Principal of CoBAMS, Assoc. Prof. Eria Hisali congratulated the study team upon their achievement and encouraged them to publish their findings in an international journal and integrate them into the teaching curriculum.
Dr. Eric Nzibonera, speaking on behalf of Assoc. Prof. Godfrey Akileng, the Dean School of Business, CoBAMS, congratulated the principal investigator and research team for the good work done. “As a school we are happy that the team has managed to attract funding for this research and also do the work” he said, “These research findings are very critical because they address issues of job creation and issues of sustainable growth of SMEs, because there is no country that can grow without small and medium businesses.”
The “Embracing Social Entrepreneurship as a catalyst to sustainable business growth in Uganda” project was funded by the Government of Uganda through the Makerere University Research and Innovation Fund (Mak-RIF).
Speaking on behalf of Prof. William Bazeyo, the chairperson of Mak-RIF, Dr. John Mutenyo (representative of the research grant management committee) expressed his gratitude to the Government of Uganda for providing the funding to this research and other projects in the University that fall in line with the National Development Plan (NDP) III. Dr. Mutenyo commended the Government for the continued funding to research despite the challenges brought about by the COVID pandemic.
The Public Investment Management (PIM) Centre of Excellence has commenced a three-day refresher training for members of the Development Committee (DC) of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. The training, which began today in Jinja, aims to enhance the analytical and technical skills of committee members who are tasked with reviewing government projects submitted by various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
The training was today February 19, 2025, officially opened by Dr. Hennery Ssebukeera, who represented the Director of the Budget Directorate. In his opening remarks, Dr. Ssebukeera emphasized the importance of the refresher course in enabling the Development Committee to effectively conduct quality reviews and fulfill its mandate as a key gatekeeper of the Public Investment Plan. He noted that the training would improve the participants’ ability to appraise and implement public investments in line with the Public Investment Management System (PIMS) framework.
Speaking at the same event, Prof. Ibrahim Mike Okumu, representing the Centre Director, Prof. Edward Bbaale, expressed the Centre’s gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to Uganda’s PIM cycle. He highlighted the importance of the training in harmonizing the relationship between the MDAs that draft project proposals and the analysts who review them. Prof. Okumu reiterated the Centre’s commitment to building the capacity of government officials in Public Investment Management, thereby supporting the country’s development aspirations.
The need for this training was identified during the Development Committee retreat held in 2024, which revealed limited capacity among DC members in project appraisal, specifically in reviewing prefeasibility and feasibility reports, Dr Ssebukeera noted. In response, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, in collaboration with the PIM Centre of Excellence, organized this refresher course to strengthen the participants’ technical and analytical skills.
DC is a statutory committee of government that evaluates the viability of public investment projects. Its statutory composition includes: Office of the President, Office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, National Planning Authority, Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA), Office of the Solicitor General, Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development, National Environment Management Authority, Equal Opportunities Commission, Ministry or Work and Transport, Ministry of Water and Environment, Public Private Partnership Unit. The PIM Center of Excellence was recently admitted to the Development Committee as a non-voting member.
The training will cover a wide range of topics, including the role of PIMS in the country’s development goals, the logical flow of project profiles, costing, and the interpretation of interconnections between prefeasibility/feasibility reports and financial models. Additionally, participants will explore the role of public-private partnerships in national development.
Dr. Ssebukeera encouraged participants to actively engage in discussions, share their expertise, and apply the knowledge gained from the training. He noted that this engagement would empower the Development Committee to effectively perform its role in reviewing and approving public investment projects, ensuring they align with national priorities and deliver value for money.
The Public Investment Management Centre of Excellence, established by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development in partnership with Makerere University School of Economics, continues to play a pivotal role in building the capacity of MDAs in managing public investments. To date, the Centre has trained over 300 officers and produced several research papers, reflecting its commitment to enhancing public investment management in Uganda.
The training in Jinja is expected to enhance the participants’ capacity to effectively review government projects, thus supporting the effective implementation of Uganda’s Public Investment Plan.
Business & Management
Somali Officials Complete Executive Training in Infrastructure Asset Management at CoBAMS
Six Somali government officials have successfully completed a three-day Executive Training in Infrastructure Asset Management, held at Makerere University’s Public Investment Management Centre of Excellence (PIM CoE). The training, funded by the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), took place from January 27 to 29, 2025, and aimed to enhance regional capacity in infrastructure planning and management.
The training brought together senior civil servants and policymakers from Somalia, equipping them with practical knowledge and strategies for sustainable infrastructure asset management. It also fostered valuable cross-border collaboration, facilitated by UNCDF Uganda, which played a crucial role in connecting Makerere University with the Government of Somalia.
The program was delivered by experienced faculty from Makerere University’s College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), alongside experts from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED) and the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA). A special session was also led by the Makerere University Bursar, offering practical insights into financial management in infrastructure projects.
Speaking at the opening of the training, Mr. Ncube Mkhululi, the Regional Technical Advisor for UNCDF emphasized the importance of infrastructure asset management in driving sustainable economic growth. He highlighted UNCDF’s commitment to supporting capacity-building initiatives in developing economies, noting that effective infrastructure planning and management are critical to national development. He also expressed confidence in Makerere University’s expertise in delivering high-impact executive training programs for government officials.
During the closing ceremony, Prof. Bbaale Edward, the Principal of the College of Business and Management Sciences expressed gratitude to all partners, including UNCDF, Makerere University management, and the PIM CoE faculty, for their commitment to making the training a success. He emphasized Makerere University’s ongoing efforts to internationalize its research-led agenda, positioning itself as a hub for regional knowledge exchange.
UNCDF Program Manager, Mr. Joel Mundua, the commended the participants for their dedication and encouraged them to share the acquired knowledge with fellow officials in Somalia. This was reaffirmed by one of the participants, who pledged to apply and disseminate the learnings within their respective departments.
Mr. Sunday Denis Aliti, the Program Officer at UNCDF highlighted the importance of ensuring that infrastructure asset management strategies are practical, adaptable, and aligned with national development goals. He commended Makerere University for its leadership in knowledge transfer and regional training and encouraged continued collaboration between universities, governments, and international development partners to strengthen institutional capacity.
Dr. John Sseruyange, Manager of the PIM CoE, applauded both the participants and the expert trainers who contributed to the program. He reiterated the Centre’s commitment to advancing infrastructure asset management through continued training and collaboration with regional stakeholders.
As the training concluded, participants departed with valuable insights and practical tools to improve infrastructure management in Somalia and beyond. The success of this initiative highlights Makerere University’s role as a leading institution in public investment management, fostering capacity-building efforts that drive sustainable development across Africa.
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