Business & Management

EfD-Mak Launches two projects on Uganda’s National Water and Forest Authorities

Published

3 years ago

October 24, 2022

Participants posing for a group photo after the meeting.

The Environment for Development Initiative (EfD) Makerere Centre has launched two new collaborative projects – on improving water bill payments in the National water authority and a quasi experimental analysis of the Forest Authority Afforestation projects. The launch is a significant achievement for the year 2021/2022.

The projects were launched during the centres seminar series held on 13^th October 2022 at the EfD Confrence room. The function was graced by the Principal College of Business and Management Scieces Prof. Eria Hisali as chief guest. It was also attended online by the EfD Global hub Manager for Research Dr. Amuakwa-Mensah, Franklin and project collaborators ,

While officially launching the projects, Prof. Hisali said as a developing country the university cannot afford to do research for the sake of doing research but research that is going to have an impact on policy, change people’s lives and have findings that are immediately useful.

Prof. Eria Hisali speaking during the event

“This does not mean that that it should not be rigorous. It should be as rigorous as possible but it should be immediately relevant to our environment and needs”, Hisali stressed.

To achieve that, the Principal expressed the need for policy makers and implementers, the researchers and the private sector to come in one room and discuss some broad thematic areas and agree on areas immediate relevancy and the biggest knowledge gaps.

The second phase according Hisali is to prepare some few background papers around the broad thematic areas that give the scope and insights of the advances of the methodological approaches and a few other things and then commission relevant studies.

“If we take that route, we are going to come with findings that are immediately useful. As researchers in this part of the world we cannot afford at all to do research for the sake of doing research. We should do rigorous research that links to the problems that we are facing as acountry and that speaks to providing solutions to the list of problems”, Hisali re – emphasized

As the leadership of the college, Hisali pledged to remain committed to working closely with patners and to continue permitting all processes required to support the colleagues doing research.

The new projects

Project one titled, “Improving Bill Payments for Water and Sanitation in Uganda” is spearheaded by Prof. Edward Bbaale as the Principal Investigator . Bbaale is also the Director EfD Mak Centre. He assisted by Co-Principal Investigators. Dr. Nicholas Kilimani (EfD-Mak & Makerere University) Dr. Rose Kaggwa (National Water and Sewerage Corporation), Dr. Nicholas Mwebaze (National Water and Sewerage Corporation) and Dr. David Fuente (EfD & University of South Carolina).

Prof Bbaale said the motivation behind the study was based on the global water and sanitation infrastructure challenge and the need to respond to the SDG 6 on the provision and attainment of “Safe and affordable water and sanitation for all by 2030” and Uganda’s NDPIII and Vision 2040- increasing access to safe water for all.

“Arrears undermine utilities financial sustainability. For Example in South Africa: households owed municipal governments 40 billion Rand (about 4 billion USD). In Nairobi, Kenya: ~60% of customers have arrears while in Kampala, Uganda (study location): 57% of residential customer accounts have arrears”, Bbaale said.

He said the study will be conducted in Kampala – National Water and Sewer Corporation (NWSC) aimed at reducing customer arrears and bill non-payment, improve financial sustainability of utilities, boost the agency’s financial position to cater for its investments and also increase the social welfare benefits from the agency’s investments

The project according to Bbaale will document pathways through which improved billing can result in better bill payment hence sustained revenue for the agency.

“Improving agency’s financial sustainability enhances its ability to improve the quality of services and the expansion of access to households who lack access to piped water and sanitation services.

There are welfare benefits associated with the improved quality and coverage of the agency’s services, i.e., improved health, increased time for productive work, increased school attendance”, He added.

Established in 1972, NWSC, is a public utility company 100% owned by the Government of Uganda and is mandated to supply water and sewerage services to 257 cities and towns across the country with a customer base standing at 711,556 accounts.

The Customer base of the NWSC currently stands at 711,556 accounts with total arrears level of Uganda Shillings 69,471,961,698 billion government arrears inclusive and 32,962,667,390 billion non-government arrears.

The project area of study that is, Kampala water area, has total customer base of 357,342 accounts. Out of these accounts 202,484 are domestic accounts with non-government arrears of Uganda shillings 10,584,626,646 billion (2.8 M USD) contributing 69% of the total non-government arrears.

Policy implications

Reduce customer arrears and bill non-payment and improve financial sustainability of utilities and ensure households maintain access to services

Documentation of the implications of an efficient revenue mobilization in harnessing resources for effective service delivery

Direct engagement of National Water in the project will increase potential for using the study’s results to inform policy and practice.

Knowledge co-production and policy engagement

The second projects titled, “ Quasi-Experimental Analysis of National Forestry Authority Afforestation Projects in Uganda”, is being led by Dr. Patrick Byakagaba of Makerere university . The Project Co-PIs are Professor Katrina Mullan (university of Montana), Professor Jeff Vincent (Duke university), Mr. John Diisi (National (Forestry Authority Uganda)and Mr. Mr. Peter Babyenda of Makerere University.

Dr. Byakagaba said Uganda continues to experience wood deficit and natural forest loss and this led to NFA and partners to invest afforestation projects

This study intends to evaluate these afforestation projects in terms of their contribution to well-being and landuse/landcover dynamics

The study sites according to Byakagaba will be villages adjacent to each reserve and control communities will be >5km from reserve within the same landscape. The selected study areas are Katugo (Nakasongola) – long history of planting (multiple harvests) and mostly planted by NFA; Kasagara (Nakasongola) – more recent planting, by many small private planters; Bujawe (Hoima)- more recent planting, small private planters and; Kachung (Dokolo) – more recent planting, single large private planter with FSC certification

“The aim is to evaluate the socio-economic and forest-cover impacts of the forest plantations but specifically to analyse the impacts of NFA afforestation programs on human well-being

and also to assess the impacts of NFA afforestation programs on land use/land cover dynamics

The proposed proxy indicators for household well-being that will be studied include; employment, income, food security, poverty” Byakaga explained adding that spatial land use/cover datasets from the National Forestry Authority will be used for assessing landuse/landcover dynamics, and, the Theory of change by SPGS will be applied in interrogating the impacts

Report by

Jane Anyango

Communication Officer

Business & Management

Call For Applications: Student Mobility – University of Padova, Italy (Oct 2026-Jan 2027)

Published

6 hours ago

April 14, 2026

Mak Editor

Group Photo of the trainers and trainees that took part in the workshop on multivariate statistics and time series analysis, held 11th-20th June 2024 between the School of Statistics and Planning, CoBAMS and University of Padova, Italy. Makerere University School of Statistics and Planning-University of Padova, Italy dynamic workshop on multivariate statistics and time series analysis, 11th to 20th June 2024, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Arising from an existing Memorandum of Understanding (until September 2028) between University of Padova, Italy (UniPd) and Makerere University (Mak), the two institutions partnered and will jointly implement the Bilateral Agreement for the mobility for students between 2026 and 2027. At Mak, the Departmental Flow Coordinator is Symon Peter Wandiembe (PhD) and the project Principal Investigator and Contact Person is Saint Kizito Omala (PhD), both of Department of Statistical Methods and Actuarial Science (DSMAS).

In this regard, the Department of Statistical Methods and Actuarial Science wishes to announce opportunities for student mobility to the Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Padova, Italy for the Winter Semester, October 2026 – January 2027.

The selection process shall entail five-steps:

Step 1: Submission of documents by candidates for nomination, with an internal deadline of April 20^th, 2026, 05.00 p.m. (EAT) to allow for time to process nomination applications;
Step 2: Meeting of the Nomination Committee to review documents received from applicants;
Step 3: Submitting the list of nominated candidates, by April 30^th, 2026, to the International Projects and Mobility Office of the University of Padua, Italy;
Step 4: Eligibility check and communication to successful candidates by the International Projects and Mobility Office of the University of Padua, Italy; and
Step 5: Application for the Mobility opportunity by successful candidates.

Please see download for detailed call.

Inquiry

S.K. Omala via +256 772 491545 before April 20^th, 2026.

Advert Bilateral UniPd_Mak_Agreement_for Student Mobility Download

Business & Management

Mak CoBAMS Hosts UNISA’s Dr. Sizile Makola

Published

6 days ago

April 8, 2026

Ritah Namisango

L-R: Dr. Zaina Nakabuye, Dr. Jude Mugarura, Dr. Agnes Sansa, Dr. Sizile Makola, Prof Edward Bbaale and Dr. Anthony Tibaingana at the 8th April 2026 meeting in the Office of the Principal. Principal of the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Prof. Edward Bbaale welcomes Dr. Sizile Makola, a Senior Lecturer in Human Resource Management from the University of South Africa (UNISA), to the College and Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa, 8th April 2026.

On Wednesday 8^th April 2026 the Principal of the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Prof. Edward Bbaale received and welcomed, Dr. Sizile Makola, a Senior Lecturer in Human Resource Management from the University of South Africa (UNISA), to the College and Makerere University.

The interaction meeting held in the Office of the Principal brought onboard the following members of staff from the Department of Marketing and Management, School of Business: Dr. Jude Mugarura, Dr. Zaina Nakabuye, Dr. Agnes Sansa, and Dr. Anthony Tibaingana.

Dr.Sizile Makola is visiting Makerere University for two (2) weeks to cement the MoU between Makerere University and UNISA and to finalise her comparative studies with staff from the department of marketing and management on behalf of Makerere University for the Ugandan context.

Dr. Makola is scheduled to deliver an interactive guest lecture to undergraduate and postgraduate human resource management students on Friday 10^th April 2026 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm in the School of Business, Conference Hall.

Guest Lecture on Re-Imagining Human Resource Management in Africa, Topic: Integrating Indigenous Knowledge and Organizational Practice, Keynote Speaker: Dr. Sizile Makola. Senior Lecturer in Human Resource Management from the University of South Africa (UNISA), 10th April 2026, 2:00-4:00PM, The Conference Room, Level 2, Block B, College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa. — ***The Guest Lecture Poster.***

Business & Management

Mak CoBAMS holds strategic partnership engagement with World Bank

Published

2 weeks ago

April 2, 2026

Ritah Namisango

L-R: Cyril Desponts, Hassan Zamani, Prof. Edward Bbaale, Assoc. Prof. Eria Hisali, Liz Mukasa Samula, and Assoc. Prof. Ibrahim Mike Okumu. Strategic partnership engagement with delegation from the World Bank ahead of the African Meeting of the Econometric Society scheduled to take place in June 2027 preceded by the Econometric Society Summer School, 1st April 2026, Office of the Principal, College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

On 1^st April 2026, the Principal of the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) at Makerere University, Professor Edward Bbaale hosted a delegation from the World Bank for a strategic partnership engagement ahead of the African Meeting of the Econometric Society scheduled to take place in June 2027. The International engagement will be preceded by the Econometric Society Summer School.

Focusing on macroeconomic stability, productivity, climate resilience, and youth employment, the African Meeting is expected to attract over 400 national and international participants. The Meeting has been deemed critical in advancing research and policy dialogue as well as planning and development across the continent.

The World Bank delegation consisted of Hassan Zaman-Regional Director for East Africa, Cyril Desponts-Country Senior Economist, and Liz Mukasa Samula-Country Economist. During the introduction, Liz Mukasa Samula stated that she is a proud alumnus of Makerere University, specifically, the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS).

At the College level, the meeting brought onboard, Professor Edward Bbaale, Associate Professor Eria Hisali, Associate Professor Ibrahim Mike Okumu, and Ritah Namisango.

Presentation by Mak CoBAMS

Welcoming the delegation, Prof. Bbaale presented the College of Business and Management Sciences as a centre of excellence in teaching and learning, research, policy engagement, knowledge transfer, and entrepreneurship. Prof. Bbaale informed the delegation about the great works under the School of Economics, School of Business, and the School of Statistics and Planning.

Highlighting the purpose of Mak CoBAMS in line with the strategic meeting, Prof. Bbaale explained that the World Bank is a leader in applied research, policy design, and capacity building, and therefore, as partner, they would enrich the discussions aimed at hosting a successful and impact-driven African Meeting of the Econometric Society. In addition, the partnership would present an opportunity to shape policy dialogue and engage Africa’s next generation of economists.

He added that at the national level, the Bank of Uganda, National Planning Authority, and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development had agreed to be partners.

Acknowledging that scholars, researchers and participants in general, would be delighted to engage with an authority in the discipline, Prof. Bbaale proposed a Policy Round Table moderated by the World Bank.

Building on Prof. Bbaale’s remarks, the Dean of the School of Economics, and a Member of the Global Organizing Committee, Associate Professor Ibrahim Mike Okumu, highlighted that partnership with the World Bank would strengthen the research-policy interface at scale.

At the strategic level, the Dean of the School of Economics, articulated that the partnership would establish a lasting platform to strengthen the role of economic research in development policy across Africa. He noted that some of topics, papers and research, would focus on African economics and development. He pointed out that the international engagement with participants from across the globe provides an opportunity to inform policy briefs on a wide range of topics

Contributing to the discussion, Associate Professor Eria Hisali, submitted that the Journal Publications under the World Bank would provide possible outlets for the dissemination of information and knowledge generated during the African Meeting of the Econometric Society.

Presentation by the delegation from the World Bank

The Regional Director for East Africa, Hassan Zaman, was pleased to visit Makerere University, an institution that has significantly contributed to knowledge creation and transfer as well as development.

Responding to the presentation from the College of Business and Management Sciences, Zaman welcomed the idea of potential collaboration. “Based on our knowledge bank perspective, it is of interest to engage.”

Specific to Africa, Zaman emphasized the need for topics on econometrics to be presented by experts from the continent. He welcomed the proposals on a Policy Round Table, Impact-driven Policy briefs, participating in the summer school, and representation of the World Bank on the Global Organising Committee.

Presentation on the Public Investment Management (PIM) Centre of Excellence

During the Strategic Partnership Meeting, the delegation expressed interest in collaborating with the Public Investment Management (PIM) Centre of Excellence based at Makerere University. “The World Bank will undertake a public investment review. Does the PIM Centre at Makerere University undertake analytical work?”

In response, the College team expressed readiness for collaboration with the World Bank. Consequently, the Principal of CoBAMS and his team, briefed the delegation on the PIM Centre of Excellence:

Its main focus is capacity building through training of government officials along the entire project cycle.
PIM Centre kicked off with seed funding from the World Bank. When the grant came to an end, Bank of Uganda came onboard to support.
The Centre undertakes capacity building, research, and policy engagements.
Every year in the month of August, Makerere University, College of Business and Management Sciences, in partnership with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED), and the National Planning Authority (NPA), hold a PIM Conference.
Associate Professor Ibrahim Mike Okumu and Associate Professor Eria Hisali shared some of the ongoing research in the area of public investment management.

The Strategic Meeting concluded on a high note, with both parties not only acknowledging but receptive of the various prospects future collaboration and partnership presents.