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.
Business & Management
PIM Centre Awards Certificates to Over 35 Officials Trained in Essentials of Public Investment Management
The Public Investment Management (PIM) Centre of Excellence at Makerere University has awarded certificates to more than 35 public officials who successfully completed a three-day training in the Essentials of Public Investment Management (PIM).
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).
“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.
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.
Business & Management
PIM Centre Makerere, Graduates Second Cohort of Certificate in Financial Implications – Integrated Regulatory Cost-Benefit Analysis
Jinja, September 5, 2025
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.
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, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mr. Ashaba reaffirmed MoFPED’s commitment to working closely with the Centre to strengthen Uganda’s public investment capacity.
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 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.
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