Environment for Development Initiative (EfD-Mak Centre) Uganda on 14^th April 2022 inaugurated its Advisory Board to guide the operations of the Centre.

The Board inaugurated at the Centre’s Conference Hall at Makerere University, is chaired by the Deputy Vice chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs, Assoc. Prof. Umar Kakumba.

While inaugurating the Board, the Director, EfD-Mak Centre,  Prof. Edward Bbaale said everyone  in Uganda  has been affected by the environment hence the need for joint efforts to address environmental challenges.

Prof. Bbaale applauded the Vice Chancellor Makerere University for appointing Assoc. Prof. Umar Kakumba to be the main driver of the Advisory Board saying, this is a sign that the Centre is heading in the right direction.

“I wish to also applaud the different government entities for having entrusted us with their officers to be part of the Advisory Board, “he said.

The  Advisory Board is constituted by representatives  from  government Ministries, Departments and agencies including the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE), National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), National Planning Authority (NPA), Ministry of Finance Planning and Economic Development(MoFPED), Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industries and Fisheries (MAAIF), Wakiso District Local Government (DLG) Parliament, ACODE, Swedish Embassy and the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) Makerere University.

Prof. Bbaale said,  the Board  is aimed at helping in realizing the Centre’s missions, vision and goal and is key in providing and steering strategic direction with guidance from the strategic plan.In order to realize these, the board will sit once every Quarter but the frequency may be adjusted in case of need and urgency of the business.

He highlighted that the board will be responsible for visualizing the EfD-Mak Centre, mobilizing resources and popularizing the centre for Sustainability. It board will  establish a roadmap for the centre, building from the Global hub efforts and financial support.

The Board will also   play an oversight role in terms of planning and guidance in the implementation of the centre’s activities, set the agenda for each meeting and ensure that agendas and supporting materials are delivered to members in advance of meetings.

In addition, the board is responsible for checking that the Centre is aligned with the National Public Investment Management and other development strategies as well as policies and directions across government and actively participate in meetings and review of minutes, papers and other steering committee documents.

The Principal College of Business and Management Sciences, Assoc. Prof.  Eria Hisali observed that since the inception of the Centre, there has been a number of achievements recorded.

“This is a center which is already vibrant and committed to doing a lot related to environment conservation and policy direction. You can continue asking for our full support now that you have a strong team led by an advisory Board.

We now have a chance to benefit from a number of senior colleagues and we look forward to exploiting you to the fullest”, he said.

Assoc. Prof. Hisali called for integration of the centre in activities related to the review of the environmental policies to enhance sustainability.

The interim Board Chair Assoc. Prof. Umar Kakumba, said the Board intends to foster the strategic objective of the Centre as a research, knowledge and innovation hub on issues to do with environmental research, environmental advocacy and environmental policy.

“As you are aware, environment is something that can never be ignored by any economy. Environmental degradation and vagaries of climate change and variability has affected the economies of the world so much in terms of agricultural food production, but also in terms of creating health disasters which have led to a lot of emerging infectious diseases and other environmental dangers.

As a Board, our role is to provide oversight, continue to grow the confidence of the international partners like the SIDA that has supported the centre to run various activities related to research, capacity building and training for governmental, local authorities and middle level officers.

We also want to show how research can create solutions and policies that can help to protect and safeguard our environment in addition to fostering institutionalization”, Dr. Kakumba explained.

Members speak out on the launch

The Deputy Director, EfD-Mak Centre  Prof. Johnny Mugisha who attended virtually said, the Advisory Board was long overdue and expressed happiness that despite the challenges, it was achieved.

Wakiso District Environmental Officer Ms. Rebecca Sabaganzi observed the need to embed the Centre to the National Development Plan III and make the strategic plan measurable to holistically address issues of environment.

She implored the Centre Secretariat to integrate the private sector into their day-to-day operations saying, this will enhance quick customer responsiveness.

“As government we are slow in acting but the private sector is very first. So, including them would make a very big impact,” Sabaganzi said.

The Assistant Commissioner Statistics Macroeconomic Policy Department in the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Dr. Sam Mugume Koojo, expressed the need to institutionalize the center in order to make it more relevant and attract government support.

The Assistant Commissioner wetlands in the Ministry of Water and Environment Stephane Mugabi, expressed the need for advocacy for sustainability if Environmental conservation and protection is to be realized.