Business & Management
Govt. urged to integrate parent-child communication in sexual reproductive health programs
The government has been asked to integrate parent-child communication into sexual reproductive health programs in an effort to reduce teenage pregnancies.
The call was made by a team of researchers from the Department of Population Studies (DPS), College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), in collaboration with a team from Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development.
The group was presenting research findings of their paper titled “Parent-Child Communication on Sexual and Reproductive Health in border districts of Eastern Uganda”.
During a dissemination workshop held on March 10, 2022 in Kampala, Dr. Stephen O. Wandera, the principal Investigator, said research revealed that both parents and children were afraid of talking about sexual reproductive health issues. The study showed that 79% of the parents and 61% of the children reported discussing sexual reproductive health issues.
“Parents feel like things to do with sexual health should not be discussed between a parent and a child. It is considered a taboo,” Assoc. Prof. Betty Kwagala, a member of the research team said.
The research also showed that good quality of parent-child relationships, close monitoring and keen interest in children and their behaviours facilitate good Parent-Child Communication (PCC). Support from religious leaders and Institutions was identified as a facilitator of PCC.
Dr. James Wokadala, the Dean of the School of Statistics and Planning (SSP) remarked that “Issues of health are very strongly emphasized in the National Development Plan III and the results of this research will inform not only knowledge and skills but also will guide policy engagement and policy direction, particularly on issues of sexual and reproductive health in Uganda.” Dr. Wokadala also thanked the research team, led by Dr. Stephen Wandera for the wonderful work done and appreciated the Ministry of Health for joining the research by providing the technical eye from the Ministry.
“This is an appetizer for us moving forward.” Dr. Wandera said. “It will pave the way for the monthly seminar series such that output like this can be shared country-wide and provide an opportunity for us to receive feedback from stakeholders so we can improve on our research outputs.”
Assoc. Prof. Eria Hisali, Principal of the College of Business and Management congratulated the study team for winning the grant and also for being able to successfully execute the work in a timely manner. He also appreciated the Government of Uganda through the Research and Innovation Fund for supporting the research work. Prof. Hisali noted that there has been a considerable breakdown in the structures of society today. In the past, the responsibility of raising a child wasn’t for only the nuclear family, but rather was the responsibility of a larger community. He called for the researchers and guests to reflect on the past, looking at the practices in raising children and adopt the good, neglecting the bad in them.
Dr. Sabrina Kitaka, Senior Lecturer of Paediatrics and Child Health, who represented the Chair of the Grants Management Committee of the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF) congratulated the research team on their dissemination.
“As a paediatrician and as an adolescent health expert, this topic is pertinent to me. Many girls got pregnant during the COVID-19 lockdown and one of the studies we conducted in the districts of Kamuli and Wakiso showed that many of the girls who got pregnant had very poor parent-child communication,” Dr. Kitaka said.
“As an adolescent health expert, one of the things that children always tell me is that they would like parents who have a very small mouth and big ears- parents that talk less and listen more to their children.”
Young adolescents in developing countries prematurely experience a host of sexual and reproductive challenges. These include early sexual debut, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), unsafe abortions and childbirth with detrimental sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and socio-economic consequences. This project assessed children and parents’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) and the determinants of PCC about SRH in in the boarder districts of Busia and Tororo in eastern Uganda.
Recommendations
Mr. Fred Ngabirano, the Commissioner, Children and Youth Affairs at the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development presented the recommendations of the research. He explained that, according to the research, Government should develop and implement a “Responsible Parenthood” programme for parents. The study also recommended that the government develops age appropriate, and contextualized SRH information, education, and communication (IEC) package and approaches.
Mr. Ngabirano, also a researcher on this project also explained that according to their findings, government should recruit and equip parent peer educators and promote shared/community parenthood and should also strengthen child protection mechanisms at various levels and address the gaps in the enforcement of child protection laws.
Dr. Wandera appreciated the study participants, children, adolescents and parents for giving the team valuable feedback and input, through a very engaging process. Dr. Wandera also appreciated the research team, which was composed of Assoc. Prof. Betty Kwagala, Dr. Patricia Ndugga, Dr. Peter Kisaakye, Dr. Martin K. Mbonye, Mr. Fred Ngabirano and himself. He thanked them for the amount of effort and dedication put into seeing the study to completion. “Let this be the start of conversations about parent child communication, regarding sexual reproductive health. Let’s not close the conversation” I am very glad for the opportunity we had to conduct research together with government. This has been a day where policy makers, researchers and programmers have met to dialogue on critical issues that affect the country.
The dissemination workshop was attended by officials from the Ministry of Health, representatives from the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, representatives from Civil Society, religious leaders and the press.
The two-week training programme aims to equip government officers with practical skills to assess project viability, manage investment risks and ensure public resources deliver value for money.
The Public Investment Management Centre of Excellence (PIM CoE) is strengthening the capacity of government officers to undertake financial appraisal and risk analysis of public investment projects through a two-week training programme designed to improve the quality of project preparation, appraisal and decision-making in Uganda.
The training, which started in Fort Portal on October 19, 2026, brought together participants from various government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), alongside facilitators from Makerere University, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Cambridge Resources International (CRI), the National Planning Authority and the Uganda Development Bank.
Officially opening the training on behalf of the Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Treasury, Ms Esther Ayebare, Acting Assistant Commissioner in the Project Analysis and Public Investment Department of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, emphasised the importance of rigorous project appraisal in strengthening Uganda’s public investment management system.
She noted that projects admitted into the public investment plan must be aligned with national priorities, technically sound, financially viable and capable of delivering value for money.
“Government must be able to compare investment alternatives and ensure that only viable projects proceed through the public investment process,” she emphasised.
Ms Ayebare explained that sound appraisal enables government to make informed investment decisions, maximise returns on public expenditure and ensure that limited public resources are directed towards projects with the greatest potential to deliver development outcomes.
Building practical skills for better investment decisions
The training builds on the Public Investment Management course conducted in June, which introduced participants to Uganda’s public investment management framework, including project conceptualisation, stakeholder analysis, project costing, implementation action plans, the Integrated Bank of Projects, and monitoring and evaluation of public investment reforms.
The current programme advances this foundation by equipping participants with technical competencies in financial appraisal, financial modelling and risk analysis.
Participants will explore integrated investment appraisal, alternative investment criteria, cash-flow statements, inflation and exchange-rate movements, asset valuation, project financing, project scale and timing, risk-sharing arrangements and cost-effectiveness analysis.
Through practical exercises and case studies, participants will apply these concepts to investment scenarios in sectors such as roads, health, education and water. The programme will also examine how climate change, social considerations and other risks can be integrated into project preparation and appraisal.
Ms Ayebare encouraged participants to engage actively with the facilitators, question the practical application of the tools and consider how the skills acquired could improve investment decisions within their respective institutions.
She also reminded participants that the programme includes an examination and that certification requires more than attendance. Participants are expected to demonstrate an understanding of the concepts and acquire practical skills that they can apply in their work.
Reducing dependence on externally prepared studies
A key objective of the training is to strengthen the ability of government institutions to undertake high-quality project appraisal studies using their own technical teams.
Ms Ayebare observed that many studies submitted to the Development Committee have traditionally been prepared by external consultants, often at considerable cost. Building the capacity of public officers to conduct these studies independently can help institutions strengthen their technical expertise and improve the quality of project proposals presented for consideration.
She urged participants to take full advantage of the facilitators’ expertise and return to their institutions equipped to undertake sound financial appraisals and provide evidence-based advice to decision-makers.
She further emphasised that project approval requires thorough preparation, analysis and justification, rather than simply identifying available funding and proposing a project to utilise it.
Strengthening public investment management through capacity development
In his remarks, Prof. Edward Bbaale, Director of the PIM CoE, thanked the Ministry of Finance for its financial support and for identifying participants from government institutions. He also recognised the contributions of the facilitators and partner institutions in delivering the programme.
Prof. Bbaale noted that the Centre’s work extends beyond training to include research and advisory services aimed at improving public investment management practices. He encouraged continued collaboration with government institutions and other partners to advance research, knowledge sharing and capacity development.
Speaking during the training, Dr John Sseruyange, Manager of the PIM CoE, highlighted the importance of commitment, active participation and punctuality throughout the programme. He encouraged participants to engage with the facilitators, ask questions and apply the knowledge gained to the projects they support.
Dr Sseruyange also acknowledged the Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, for financing the training, and appreciated Cambridge Resources International for its continued support towards improving public investment preparation and analysis in Uganda.
The training reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen Uganda’s public investment management system by equipping public officers with the knowledge and practical competencies needed to assess projects rigorously, identify potential risks and make informed investment decisions.
By developing in-house expertise across government institutions, the programme seeks to contribute to better-prepared projects, more efficient use of public resources and improved delivery of Uganda’s development priorities.
Business & Management
Makerere University Signs MoU with World Association of Noonomy: Sets pace for the African Centre of Excellence
By Ritah Namisango and Monica Meeme
Makerere University has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the World Association of Noonomy, setting the pace for academic collaboration, research and the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Noonomy in Africa.
On behalf of Makerere University, the MoU was signed by Professor Sarah Ssali, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), during the World Congress on Noonomy held in Rome, Italy, from 16th-19th September 2026, paving the way for the establishment of a dedicated institute of Excellence for Noonomy at College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS).
Uganda was the only African country represented at the World Congress on Noonomy, with a Makerere University delegation including Prof. Sarah Ssali-Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Prof. Edward Bbaale-Principal College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Dr Peter Babyenda-Lecturer at the School of Economics and Policy Engagement Coordinator, College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), and Mr. Tonny Mayambala Sebbaggala, a Ugandan Economist based in Russia.
Commenting on the development, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe said, “By signing this MoU, the African Centre for Noonomy has been established at Makerere University. This adds to the growing number of African continental research centres that are coordinated by Makerere University. Makerere is clearly a leader on the Continent.”
The MoU signed on 19th September 2026 in Rome-Italy, builds on the inaugural conference on Noonomy, held in Uganda on 20th August 2026 at Makerere University under the theme, “The Theory of Noonomy and its Role in Resolving Modernity Issues: Pathways to Sustainable Social and Economic Transformation.”
At the Global Congress of the World Association of Noonomy, the scholars from Makerere University delivered three (3) presentations focusing on Noonomy and development challenges in East Africa, the transition from informal to formal employment, and the role of universities in advancing Noonomy.
About the Theory
The Theory of Noonomy is an emerging theoretical approach developed by Professor Sergey Bodrunov, Director of the S.Y. Witte Institute, which examines the changing relationship between knowledge, technology, production and human development. The theory places emphasis on knowledge and human potential as important drivers of development, while highlighting humanistic values and solidarity in shaping economic and social progress.
Advancing Alternative Economic Thought in Africa
Speaking at the Annual gathering in Rome, Prof. Sarah Ssali described Makerere University’s partnership as a great honour, highlighting the importance of creating space for broader theoretical perspectives on political economy and the global economy.
Reflecting on the evolution of political science and political economy studies, Prof. Ssali noted that following the era of Glasnost and Perestroika, free-market ideology and neoliberalism became increasingly dominant in global economic thinking.
“This dominance created a need for scholars to critically examine both the opportunities and limitations of market-based approaches,” she said.
She welcomed the opportunity to explore alternative ways of understanding the world, including not only the material relations of production, but also the material relations of consumption.
Prof. Ssali also acknowledged the Witte Institute for initiating the initiative and for choosing Makerere University as a key partner on the African continent.
She said Makerere University plans to establish a dedicated centre focused on the emerging area of study, with the institution aiming to launch the centre in February 2027.
“We hope the centre will become a leading African platform for research, teaching and dialogue on these issues,” she asserted.
Prof. Ssali noted that the ideas emerging from the Kampala meeting (held on 20th August 2026) are already being incorporated into Makerere University’s theoretical classes, with plans to substantially expand the initiative following the establishment of the centre of excellence.
She reaffirmed Makerere University’s commitment to the partnership and to expanding scholarly engagement on alternative approaches to political economy.
Call for Growth that Advances Social Welfare
Delivering the presentation titled: “The Role of Noonomy in Addressing Development Challenges in East Africa,” Prof. Edward Bbaale, Principal of the Makerere University College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), explored the potential of Noonomy as an alternative framework for understanding and addressing persistent development challenges in East Africa.
Prof. Bbaale noted that the approach contributes to emerging academic discussions on how economic systems can better connect economic growth with social wellbeing and inclusive development outcomes in the region.
“The study contributes to emerging academic discussions on how economic systems can better link economic growth with social wellbeing and inclusive development outcomes in the region,” he said.
The paper was co-authored with Dr Peter Babyenda and formed part of the scholarly contributions presented at the World Congress on Noonomy in Rome, Italy.
Prioritizing Human-Centred Development
Dr Peter Babyenda said Makerere University’s participation in the World Congress on Noonomy in Rome marked an important step in the University’s international engagement with the Theory of Noonomy.
“The engagement paves the way for establishing a Centre of Excellence for Noonomy at the School of Economics, under the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS),” he stated.
Dr Babyenda explained that the Theory of Noonomy places human welfare at the centre of development, arguing that development should be assessed not only through productivity and infrastructure, but also by how it improves people’s wellbeing.
He said consumption, knowledge transfer and solidarity are important considerations, including in the application of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence.
Dr Babyenda revealed that Uganda has been offered an opportunity to host an upcoming World Congress on Noonomy, which he said could bring together participants from more than 55 countries and create opportunities for academic exchange, industry engagement and international visibility for Uganda.
He called upon the academia and industry to collaborate with Makerere University in advancing its engagement with the emerging field.
The Signing of the MoU at the Global Congress of the World Association of Noonomy marks a milestone in Makerere University’s efforts to contribute to international scholarly discussions on alternative approaches to understanding economic systems and development.
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