Business & Management
Research on youth unemployment launched
According to the World Bank, Uganda has one of the youngest and most rapidly growing populations in the world. Although the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development emphasizes productive employment and decent work for youth, it remains unclear of what works to support the youth in the labor market.
A research study, led by Dr. John Mutenyo, a Senior Lecturer of Economics in the Department of Economic Theory and Analysis, CoBAMS, seeks to find the most effective interventions for boosting productive employment for the heterogeneous groups particularly, the rural/urban, male and female. The research also seeks to discover factors underlying youth’s access to employment opportunities.
This research study, entitled: “Youth unemployment, education mismatch and potential growth sectors” was launched at 9:00am on Friday 4th March 2022 at function took place at the School of Business Conference Room.
Prof. Eria Hisali, the Principal of the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) thanked Dr. Mutenyo and his team of researchers for the important research they are undertaking. “The research will provide evidence-based information to policy makers and implementers where jobs can be created” he said.
Prof. Hisali noted that the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) collects and provides employment information but there are gaps in the information provided. He said that UBOS used to survey newspaper jobs advertised, provide analysis about them but the survey has been stopped. According to UBOS Uganda’s unemployment rate stands at 9% and the underemployment rate is recorded at 37%.
“A job diagnostic centre will tell us where the jobs are. They will release employment numbers frequently and juxtapose it to other trends in the economy. This could answer the question of the job mismatch,” Prof. Hisali noted. He called for an enhancement in productivity in the labour market and the entire economy. “Productivity in the labour market is low.
Dr. John Mutenyo, in his presentation at the launch of the research referred to the problem of youth unemployment as a “ticking time bomb”. He noted that in some countries, youth unemployment has led to insecurity. “Youth unemployment is something that government must consider. The youth need to have a sensible life and not just survive. About 53% of Uganda’s population is 15 years and below higher than the Sub-Saharan average of 43.2%. 64% of the unemployed in Uganda are aged 24 and below.
In his remarks, Martin Wandera the Director of Labour, Employment and Occupational Safety and Health at the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, said that unemployment is one of the biggest problems in Uganda. “At every home the question is how do I find a job, how do I keep my job?” Wandera said. He said evidence shows that there is economic growth without creating jobs. He noted that some economists believed that when you have economic growth you would have jobs. That, sadly has not happened.
He explained that the labour market has issues of welfare, minimum wage which are different from products and so solving unemployment problems requires attention to human rights and welfare.
He noted that investment policies affect employment and having a liberal market that allows free entry of investors can impact the local investors. “We are interested in school to work transition, where are the graduates, are they satisfied, tracer studies are needed on where graduates are going. There is thinking that those who study sciences get satisfactory jobs and we need evidence,” Wandera hinted.
The study will involve representatives of all relevant stakeholders to ensure that the findings of the study guide policy formulation. The research team is expected to conclude and present its findings by June 2022.
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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