General
Makerere Inducts the 2nd Cohort of IGE Fellows for Uganda
Makerere University recruited the first Inclusive Green Economy (IGE) Cohort 2021 in December 2020 and subsequently launched the program in June, 2021 with six (6) senior public servants nominated from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Ministry of Water and Environment, the National Planning Authority (NPA) and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).
This first cohort 2021 has undergone a full year capacity building and is slated for graduation and crowning with the title, “IGE fellows” to become IGE change agents and trainers in their different Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
“Makerere University IGE in Practice” is a collaborative programme between Makerere University’s Environment for Development Initiative (EfD-Mak) Center and the University of Gothenburg, Sweden fully funded by Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). Other participating countries are Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda.
The program is aimed at strengthening Uganda’s capacity for transformation towards an Inclusive Green Economy largely under the United Nations SDG 8 that focuses on promoting sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.
The program focuses on the use of environmental policy instruments, and specifically economic instruments such as environmental taxes, pollution fees, subsidies or subsidy reduction and other types of fiscal incentives for societal development in line with the Global Agenda 2030.
On 17th March 2022, EfD-Mak center organized a Training of Trainers workshop as the final activity for the pioneer IGE Cohort 2021 and a platform to share lessons learnt and what they have done in National Policy Reviews in the previous year with the new IGE cohort 2022.
The blended workshop held physically and online was graced by IGE program leader from the EfD Global Hub at the University of Gothenburg Sweden Prof. Anders Ekbom and the co-programme leader Emelie César. It was also attended by graduate students from Makerere.
Makerere University IGE Program Policy Engagement Specialist Peter Babyenda said the workshop was the last for the IGE fellows 2021 who had been taken through the IGE principles, policies and what to do to achieve the IGE goals.
Babyenda said the pioneer fellows were trained online due to COVID-19. The program also held a grand workshop at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Uganda where all participating countries joined to present their national environment and natural resources-related policies for review.
“We also did a review of all existing IGE policies in Uganda and today our IGE fellows have been disseminating to us and the new fellows what they have learnt from forestry sector, urbanization, energy and the agricultural sector” he said.
The workshop inaugurating the new cohort 2022 was officially opened by the Principal, College of Business and Management Studies (CoBAMS), Assoc. Prof. Eria Hisali on 17th March 2022 at the EfD-Mak Conference room in the Central Teaching Facility Two at Makerere University.
Dr. Hisali congratulated the IGE Cohort 2021 upon their resilience to work in an environment which combines office work and training, expressing hope that they will put into practice everything they have learnt.
“We are still having a challenge in this country that the concept of Inclusive Green Economy and inclusive green growth generally still has a very limited audience. There are very many people in the private sector and government and elsewhere who have limited knowledge on what this inclusive green economy is”, Dr. Hisali said.
Hisali congratulated and challenged the IGE pioneers to integrate what they learnt into the workplace and implored them to support the university whenever called upon to give guest lectures and undertake joint research.
The Principal hailed the program facilitators for the good work done in capacity building even during the COVID-19 lockdown, and thanked Sida for the continued support to Makerere University programmes.
Dr. Hisali welcomed and congratulated the new IGE Cohort 2022 assuring them that they were in the right place. He highlighted a number of issues that the cohorts should be interested in answering as they embark on the journey.
“Our growth of Uganda’s economy has been largely driven by unsustainable use of natural resources. What interventions then, are we going to put in place as a country to enhance productivity of our resources so that we see growth coming in from increased productivity and less on unsustainable use of natural resources”, Dr. Hisali asked.
The other challenge that IGE fellows ought to take note of according to Dr. Hisali is how to go about the income inequality and high population growth rates accompanied by the fact that many of the people are clustered around the poverty line with about 40-42% living on less than 1.9 dollars a day. These, he said, will intuitively resort to exploitation of natural resources.
Dr. Hisali also observed that Uganda has a number of IGE projects spread across the private and public sectors involving many individuals, but with very limited synergies because they are scattered and isolated.
“The other challenge is that we are focused on pursuing a private sector led growth which in its self is not a problem, but in my own view, has a number of disadvantages .The challenge with respect to Inclusive Green Economy is that many private sector actors may not give enough attention to the issue of sustainable growth. They may be driven in the short term by the profit, motive to maximize the returns on their investment, and the situation is made worse because of the weak regulatory framework.” Hisali decried
Program objectives
Speaking online, the IGE Programme leader from University of Gothenburg, Prof. Anders Ekbom said the Inclusive Green Economy (IGE) in Practice is Capacity Development Programme for Senior Civil Servants and Policy makers.
Prof. Ekbom explained that besides strengthening research –policy interface, the IGE program is to strengthen countries’ capacity for transformation to an Inclusive Green Economy (IGE) – through increased knowledge and application of economic and environmental policy instruments, organizational change, and strengthened national systems for inclusive and sustainable economic development.
He further said the countries’ capacities are strengthened at three levels namely Individual, organizational and system level.
”At individual level, the objectives include increased understanding of IGE and the application of environmental economic instruments, increased knowledge of organizational changes and expanded international, regional and national networks.
At organisational level, the aim is increased capacity for IGE and application of economic instruments, increased priority on IGE and economic instruments and IGE projects and support for ongoing IGE work and processes.
And at system level, the program objectives include improved cooperation between organizations and sectors in the country and region, strengthened IGE system and transformations towards IGE and application of useful environment economic instruments”, Prof. Ekbom explained.
The Director EfD-Mak Centre Prof. Edward Bbaale commended the the centre staff and Makerere University Management for supporting and providing an environment that is conducive for the IGE program to thrive.
Prof. Bbaale welcomed the students, as well as IGE 2021 and 2022 cohorts to the workshop.
”It is an exciting opportunity having the IGE 2021 fellows building capacity of their fellow workers and even for ourselves on what they have done and learnt for the year on Inclusive Green Economy training for senior public servants. This is a great opportunity and moment”, he said.
Bbaale thanked all the stakeholders from different Ministries, Departments and Agencies for considering IGE program as a great opportunity and nominating the senior colleagues to participate in the training program.
The Director thanked the Global hub for organising the program and meeting on the mandate despite the COVID-19 challenges.
Bbaale extended gratitude to the Sida and the EfD Global hub for financing the program and expressed the centre’s commitment to deliver on her mandate.
Participants speak out on the training
Aloo Steven doing Masters of Arts in Economics, Policy and Planning Makerere University said he learnt about how to incorporate issues of environment in development, and how to have a smart city.
” I wish this kind of training continues. I have seen the training is on the higher level and I wish it can be brought to the lower level to bring students to cause a mindset change among the young people on how to keep the environment green”.
Ronald Kagwa, a pioneer IGE fellow from the National Planning Authority (NPA) said, ”This is a very good way to begin a new program. The second lot of IGE fellows have learnt the lessons we picked from the second program, what they need to do and I think they have got a better understanding of the program, is to come up with policies relevant to combating the sustainable development challenges of the country, the need for partnerships and they should come up with policies that address the national objectives.”
Racheal Nabasirye is an IGE Cohort 2022 Fellow and a planner in the Directorate of Policy, Research and Innovation, NPA. She said, ”The IGE workshop was very insightful. I learnt a lot about the environment, how we can make our economy green through the different sectors, agriculture, transport and I think we need to push it to the private sector as one of the major players as well as strengthen our institutions to further this course”.
Robert Chuchu, the Ag.Director Strategy at Kampala Capital City Authority and also an IGE Cohort 2022 Fellow said he found the training very interesting, engaging and worthwhile.
’The IGE programme has a lot to contribute to improve our country and as we bring together experts and building skills and capacities of the different civil servants, policy makers and other players in the development of our city, it is critical as we deliberate on issues that concern the environment and the green economy. Green economy is the future in every aspect because it is crosscutting in all our lives and we must be able to appreciate these principles and how to promote them”.
Jane Anyango, EfD-Mak Centre
General
Makerere University and Xiangtan University Advance Strategic Partnership in Chemical Engineering
Makerere University and Xiangtan University are set to update their close to 20-year academic partnership, with a new focus on launching a joint Master’s degree program in Chemical Engineering and expanding student and staff exchange initiatives.
The commitment was reaffirmed during a recent visit by a delegation from Xiangtan University to Makerere University headed by Professor Dingyu Ou, in the company of Mr. Tang Fei and Professor Gilbert Gumshabe, the Chinese and Ugandan Directors of the Confucius Institute at Makerere University respectively.
While addressing the delegation, Professor Nawangwe highlighted that this initiative is part of a broader strategy to diversify academic offerings and contribute to national development through training in Chemical Engineering. Through this new initiative, the University will better prepare graduates for the petrochemical industry and support the country’s industrial growth.
The Vice Chancellor appreciated that the proposed collaboration aims to address Uganda’s growing need for industrial expertise, particularly as the country develops its petroleum sector. The two universities here are working toward a 1+2 training model, which will enable Makerere students to gain practical experience and access advanced laboratory facilities at Xiangtan University.
Professor Nawangwe further reiterated that “our relationship with the people of China, not just for Makerere but also for a big part of Uganda, has been opened wider by the establishment of the Confucius Institute, considering that many other collaborations like one being discussed now have come through this collaboration.”
The head of the Xiangtan delegation, Professor Dingyu Ou, expressed appreciation for the meeting, and acknowledged the history between the institutions. “As mentioned, we have a very long relationship and a very stable friendship between our two universities.”
Professor Ou extended appreciation for the support provided to the Confucius Institute at Makerere, the care shown to his colleagues, and looked forward to the successful start of the Chemical Engineering collaboration.
Assuring the delegation of Makerere’s readiness for the collaboration, Ms. Hawa Ndagire Kajumba the Lead, Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement, Makerere University Advancement Office, aligned with the Vice Chancellor’s emphasis of University goal to have both theory and practice imparted to the students.
She said “the curriculum of the university and Uganda as a whole is moving towards competence-based education training to ensure students are equipped to demonstrate those skills in the actual field, particularly regarding petroleum exploration.”
Ms. Ndagire Kajumba also emphasised a shift in strategy for the partnership office, saying, “we are moving away from just signing MOUs that collect dust, and moving towards those that are more collaborative to benefit our faculty and students, just like this one.”
Professor Gilbert Kumushabe aligned his remarks with those of the Vice Chancellor and Ms. Ndagire Kajumba, and described the method used at Xiangtan University as “actually competence-based teaching.”
Based on his recent visit, Prof. Gumoshabe shared that students in China are divided into groups with dedicated teachers to perform practical, hands-on work beyond the theoretical lecturers. He expressed gladness that the same was being adopted for the Ugandan context.
Both institutions are now working to finalise the specific agreements for the joint degree and exchange programs. Beyond academic training, the collaboration will advance cultural and professional exchange.
Makerere University on October 8, 2026 commemorated Nkrumah Day with a Public Lecture at the Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium. The Lecture gathered students, academics, historians and distinguished guests to discuss Kwame Nkrumah’s contribution and its relevance to Africa.
Organised by Nkrumah Hall under the theme “Leadership, Self-Reliance and Transformation: Reimagining Nkrumah’s Vision for the 21st Century African Youth,” the lecture explored how Nkrumah’s ideals of Pan-Africanism, self-reliance and African unity can guide the continent beyond political independence.
Endorsing Nkrumah’s Vision of Investing in Africa
The First Deputy Prime Minister and Chancellor of Makerere University, Rt. Hon. Dr. Crispus Walter Kiyonga, was the chief guest.
In remarks delivered on his behalf by Dr. Charles Kahigiriza, Dr. Kiyonga said the day was a moment to reflect on Nkrumah’s views on Pan-Africanism and the lessons on self-reliance still held for Africa today and emphasised the importance of keeping Africa’s young talent at home (in Africa).
He then discussed ways of encouraging young people to achieve Nkrumah’s vision, pointing out that Africa is losing skilled people to brain drain as many go abroad to work.
He encouraged young Africans to stay and contribute to the continent’s growth, describing Africa’s potential as a promising asset.
Transformation Requires Discipline
The keynote address was delivered by Prof. Gerald Karyeija, a political analyst and Head of Quality Assurance at the Uganda Management Institute (UMI).
He discussed Nkrumah’s role in championing Pan-Africanism and the formation of the African Union. He acknowledged that “his legacy was also very complex” due to a number of challenges.
Regarding leadership, the professor argued, “leadership does not begin with the title. It begins with responsibility,” adding that “leadership is not only about power, privilege, entitlement, or status. It’s about service. It’s about stewardship.”
He encouraged attendees to emulate Nkrumah by using their knowledge and power for good.
“Don’t get the intellectual power from Makerere to become evil,” he cautioned, stressing that transformation requires discipline.
Universities Turn Knowledge into Action
Associate Professor Gorettie Nabanoga, the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, represented Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University.
She aligned herself with the previous speakers and urged participants to move beyond simply celebrating Kwame Nkrumah’s memory and begin implementing his vision.
She called for practical action, urging the mobilisation of Pan-Africanism beyond slogans. “Perhaps the Pan-Africanism of this generation must therefore move from solidarity to capacity, from rhetoric to institutions, from potential to production, and from aspirations to implementation,” she said.
On the role of universities, she reiterated that Makerere University is a hub for innovation rather than just a degree-granting institution.
“We are building for the future when we develop people who can think critically, when we generate knowledge, when we challenge perceived knowledge and wisdom, and when we innovate,” she said.
Addressing the students present, she said, “You are not simply the leaders of tomorrow; you are citizens of Africa today. The opportunity you enjoy at Makerere University comes with responsibility.”
Dr. Winifred Kabumbuli, the Dean of Students at Makerere University, set the tone at the 2026 Nkrumah Day Public Lecture.
She revealed that this lecture organised under Nkrumah Hall highlights its significance as a symbol of Makerere University‘s commitment to Pan-Africanism. “The name Nkrumah Hall has stood the test of time and sounds like a horn beautifully over the African continent and beyond,” she said.
She elaborated on the lecture’s theme of leadership, self-reliance and transformation, noting its alignment with the university’s mission to nurture future leaders.
Direction of Pan-Africanism
During a panel discussion, speakers questioned how far Africa has come. Associate Professor Zahara Napeewo, Deputy Dean of the School of Law at Makerere University, stated that the continent was still lagging behind the progress Nkrumah would have wanted.
She shared that while educational institutions provide knowledge, they must go further and encourage graduates to become problem-solvers who can create employment for themselves rather than wait to be employed.
Dr. Zaid Sekitto, a Lecturer in the Department of History, Archaeology and Heritage Studies at Makerere, added that the structures of colonialism that Nkrumah fought against were still in place. “They must be addressed”, he said, or Africa would remain trapped in colonialism and lose sight of Nkrumah’s vision.
The Youth and the Unfinished Struggle
The students also had an opportunity to share their perspectives on the unfinished struggle for Pan-Africanism.
Nkrumah Hall Chairperson Joseph Sekabira noted that the Africa Nkrumah fought for was not the Africa that exists today.
He urged young people to take up leadership now rather than wait until they were older.
Mark Kwikiriza, a final-year Bachelor of Arts in Music student and resident of Nkrumah Hall, said Nkrumah’s legacy remained relevant because the problems he faced in Ghana were similar to those society faces today.
He recommended that society could rejuvenate the spirit of “Osagyefo,” the title meaning “redeemer” by which Nkrumah was known.
Honouring 13 Years of Service
The event also recognised Mr. John Kamya for his 13 years of outstanding service as Warden of Nkrumah Hall, a position he held from 2007 to 2020.
He received an appreciation award presented by the Chief Guest’s representative in the presence of the Hall Chairperson and other dignitaries.
In his acceptance remarks, Mr. Kamya noted that the 2018 visit to the Hall by Kwame Nkrumah’s daughter, Ms. Samia Yaba Nkrumah, was one of the fondest memories of his time in office. He thanked Makerere for the opportunity to serve the University community and its stakeholders.
At the peak, the event concluded with tree planting and cake-cutting activity in front of Nkrumah Hall. The audience was left contemplating one message of Kwame Nkrumah’s vision of a united, self-reliant Africa, freed first in the mind, that remains unfinished and in the words of some speakers, has been handed to the current generation as a task to accomplish.
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