General
Uganda’s IGE Fellows discuss Draft National Peer Review document on fossil fuel, plastic pollution & forest loss
Uganda’s Inclusive Green Economy (IGE) Fellows have called for national policy instruments that are clear with objectives and implementation plans.The need for reliance on information-based instruments has also been emphasized to contribute to the information disclosure and mindset change.
These came up during the In-country National Policy Review Workshop organized by the IGE support team at the Environment for Development Initiative Centre at Makerere University on 1st June 2022.
The New IGE Cohort 2022 was launched in Naivasha Kenya followed by an online training and is now conducting National Peer Review exercises.
The overall objective of the workshop was to strengthen the collaboration between the academia and practitioners for increased evidence-based policy making for the Inclusive Green Economy.
Specifically, the workshop reflected on the IGE Vision, strategies and programmes to expose the gaps in the National Peer Review document relating to policy instruments.
The Director EfD-Mak Centre Prof. Edward Bbaale said, the IGE programme at the Centre focuses on training, peer learning and exchange of ideas.
“Policy review in this context looks at the existing instruments in the country to address environmental issues. We normally focus on literature review and taking stock on environment”. Prof. Bbaale explained.
Participants observed that the National forest cover has been damaged in many aspects from human activities but not well researched.
“Environment and Environmental resource economics has not been studied well in many of the universities across the globe.
This means environmental economists have to care so much on the environment and thus IGE fellowship addresses much of the environment related tasks”, Fulbright Scholar and Research fellow at the EfD-Mak Centre, Dr. Nick Kilimani observed.
The draft NPR document on the three themes: fossil fuel, forest loss and plastic pollution in the country was presented and discussed by the IGE fellows. See attachment for the details of the different themes, discussions, observations and recommendations.
IGE Fellows’ NPR discussions on Fossil fuel, Forest loss and Plastic pollution
| Theme | Observations | Recommendations |
| 1. Fossils A ban on importation of used vehicles aged 15 years and above. Subsidizing on manufacturing of electric vehicles. Subsidizing on solar energy. A 45% subsidy on solar panels in 2007. Establishment of non-motorized transport corridor. Encouraging use of public transport. Reduce cost of inspection for electricity. | Policies have been majorly affected by government in many departments thus civil disobedience of the policies. Need to review, terminate or pick up a new policy. Age of a car does not qualify a policy if not respected by the implementer. Instrument on solar energy is goo but costs still remain high in rural areas in terms of accessibility, affordability and inclusiveness. People will prefer staying with old cars rather than a new purchase which is more expensive. Information on Kiira electric motors missing Solar subsidies have not been able to impact to the end user. Public transport will be on demand rather than private cars. Inspection costs of electricity still remain higher. | Recruit a research officer in key ministry to address specifically policy issues. Give power subsidy up to the end user to encourage use of cleaner energies including LPG and hydroelectricity. Institute a policy mix in executing instruments. Evaluate identified policy instruments in terms of performance, impact and what needs to be done for robust results. Use of train as an alternative. Provide Information on Kiira electric motors and include walk -ways information in the write up. Include plans for geothermal. |
| 2. Forest loss Providing good quality subsidized seedlings. Subsidizing firms that produce clean energy saving stoves. Continuous planting of trees by NFA. Resurveying, demarcating all forest reserves. Eviction from forest reserves. In 2020 about 200 land titles were cancelled in Mukono and Wakiso districts. | Lack of training for Tree seedlings provision and maintenance. Green economy concentration in greater Kampala. Tree planting does not cater for management. Inadequate monitoring of forest resources. Lack of initiative to track Green jobs. Inadequate financing to local governments. Information on local instruments missing. Supply – demand missing link | Focus training on tree seedling management and integrate tree seedlings into fruit trees. Adopt Clean energy as multiple tool for green economy. Diversify green economy outside greater Kampala. Digitalize monitoring of forest resources. Track green jobs. Increase financing to local governments. Provision of information on instruments. |
| 3. Plastic pollution A ban on all plastics with a provision on recycling and extended producer responsibility and product storage. Disposal of plastic wastes | Lack of strong information models. Low involvement of the private sector. Public mindset on dangers of plastics still low. De-link is from the housing sector and wiring system Local government involvement in pollution control still wanting. Implementation plan not clear. | Strengthen information based instruments to model behavior and alternatives. Compounding private sector efforts. Task the local governments on pollution control. Policy instruments should come out clearly with implementation structure. Need for more reliance on the use of information-based instruments. |
Makerere University, through the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) and the Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC), has signed an open Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). This MoU is one of several initiatives aimed at strengthening the university’s global collaborations and research partnerships.
In his remarks, Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe highlighted Makerere’s recent centenary celebrations as a testament to its long and influential history in Africa. He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to serious, research-driven collaboration, noting Makerere’s aspiration to become a leading student-centered research university that develops solutions to regional challenges.
Prof. Nawangwe emphasized that Makerere’s research addresses critical issues such as widespread poverty, high youth unemployment, the devastating effects of climate change on agriculture, rapid population growth, and political interference in production. These challenges, he explained, call for climate-resilient agriculture, stronger health systems to address emerging diseases, and more inclusive governance. He further observed that Africa’s ambitious goal of producing one million PhDs in the next decade remains constrained by inadequate supervision capacity across the continent, stressing that collaborations like this MoU are key to bridging that gap.
EPRC Executive Director, Dr. Sarah Sewanyana, described the signing as particularly significant for EPRC and its Board of Directors as they embark on a new five-year strategic plan (2025/26–2029/30). She explained that the plan strongly emphasizes strategic collaborations, with this partnership serving as a prime example of leveraging collective strengths to deepen impact. She underscored EPRC’s role in advancing evidence-based policymaking for national development, aligning with Uganda’s National Development Plan IV.
Prof. James Wokadala, Acting Principal of CoBAMS, emphasized that the collaboration seeks to preserve and expand vital human knowledge while strengthening partnerships between academic institutions and global research networks. He noted that these networks are instrumental in advising legal and policy professionals, as well as aligning research agendas with both national and corporate priorities. He expressed pride in the extensive efforts of the School of Economics that have expanded these activities in recent years. He pointed to significant accomplishments that have been achieved in collaboration with IGC, including hosting a 2025 high-level international conference on mobile money payment systems, which positioned Makerere University as a thought leader on critical African economic issues. He also celebrated the successful bid by the School of Economics to host the ‘Africa Meeting of the Econometric Society’ in 2027, further demonstrating its contribution to impactful scholarship and policy influence.
The Acting Principal further emphasized that the new partnership with LSE will build on these achievements, offering immense benefits such as expanding capacity-building opportunities for faculty and students, especially in research and Public Infrastructure Management (PIM). The collaboration will also provide platforms for knowledge dissemination and policy dialogue, while addressing pressing socio-economic and health challenges. Ultimately, he said, formalisation of the partnership amplifies CoBAMS’ commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and innovation.
Speaking on behalf of LSE’s International Growth Centre (IGC), Executive Director Dr. Jonathan Leape expressed delight at formalizing the long-standing collaboration with Makerere and EPRC. He highlighted current joint projects, including research on the impact of the 2020 gender-based vaccine program on women’s skills and learning, studies on reforms in STEM education, and investigations into barriers limiting business growth for entrepreneurs. He stressed that the core mission is to bring researchers and policymakers together to address pressing policy challenges with robust, reliable evidence and innovative solutions.
The event, held on 27th August 2025, was attended by several dignitaries including Dr. Richard Newfarmer, Country Director for Uganda and Rwanda (IGC); Dr. Nhial Kuch, Senior Country Economist (IGC); and Mary Teddy Nakyejwe, IGC Programme Officer. Also present were the Director of Research, Dr. Ibrahim Kasirye and other members of EPRC leadership.
Makerere University has hosted a delegation from the Ghent University Association, led by Prof. Mieke Van Herreweghe, Vice Rector of Ghent University. The delegation included representatives from Howest University and Hogent University of Applied Sciences.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe welcomed the team and highlighted Makerere University’s commitment to addressing the pressing challenges in the region. These include climate change, which continues to hinder investment, and Uganda’s rapidly growing population that has surged from 5 million in the late 1940s to nearly 50 million currently, creating socio-economic challenges such as high youth unemployment.
He emphasized that Makerere’s research agenda focuses on understanding the fast-growing population, tackling health challenges, advancing governance and human rights, and fostering peace through initiatives such as the Rotary Peace Center—the only one of its kind on the African continent. Research at Makerere also seeks to provide solutions to youth unemployment in one of the world’s youngest nations.
The Vice Chancellor further noted that Makerere University teaches and conducts research across a wide spectrum of disciplines, organized into colleges including Agriculture, Business and Management, Computing, Education and External Studies, Engineering and Technology, Health Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Veterinary Medicine. The university also hosts over 60 specialized research centers, among them Centers of Excellence such as the Regional Centre for Crop Improvement, which works to enhance food security, manage pests and diseases, and improve agricultural productivity. Another key institution is the Infectious Diseases Institute, which leads research on HIV/AIDS. With these initiatives, he added, Makerere continues to expand its research footprint while strengthening global partnerships.
Prof. Van Herreweghe provided an overview of Ghent University, founded in 1817 and ranked among the top 100 universities globally for decades. With its motto “Dare to think,” Ghent University has built a strong international reputation. It also holds the distinction of being the only Belgian, and currently the only European, university with a campus in South Korea. Established in 2014, the campus offers bachelor’s programs in applied biotechnology.
She highlighted Ghent’s joint PhD programs, which are structured as sandwich programs to support African universities. Under this arrangement, PhD candidates spend two years funded at Ghent University and another two years at their home university (such as Makerere), with joint supervision from both institutions. These programs, she noted, are a strategic way of fostering international collaboration.
During the visit, Ghent University signed a Student Exchange Agreement with Makerere University to complement the existing Memorandum of Understanding. The agreement will pave the way for more joint initiatives and strengthen collaboration in the years ahead.
The delegation also included Mr. Lieven Theys, International Coordinator for Business Management at Howest University, who explained that Howest clusters its programs into three key domains: Design and Technology, Human Well-being and Health, and Business and Organization. Dr. Robin Stevens represented Hogent University of Applied Sciences, which runs programs across nine schools including Business and Management, Computer Sciences, Biosciences, Industrial Technology, Teacher Training, and Healthcare.
The visit, held on 27th August 2025, was attended by Makerere University officials and members of various colleges, among them Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta, the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration) and Principal of the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS), Prof. Tonny Oyana-Principal College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS), Prof. Moses Musinguzi-Principal College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), Prof. Julius Kikooma-Director Graduate Training, Assoc. Prof. Yazidhi Bamutaze-Deputy Principal College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Assoc. Prof. James Wokadala-Deputy Principal College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Assoc. Prof. Richard Idro-Deputy Principal College of Health Sciences, and Dr. Cathy Mbidde, Manager of the Makerere University Innovation Pod (Mak UniPod).
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