Business & Management
CoBAMS sets up forum to coordinate academia, innovators & entrepreneurs
The College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) has set up a forum to facilitate partnerships and transfer of assistance from academia to small and middle-sized innovators and entrepreneurs. The forum was established at the first-ever Entrepreneurs’ Business Breakfast Meeting held in Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility, Makerere University on December 7, 2022.
The breakfast meeting was organised by the CoBAMS-based Makerere University Entrepreneurship and Outreach Centre, under the theme, ‘Makerere University’s role in entrepreneurship ecosystem’ The meeting was attended by government agencies, Makerere University faculty and students and a wide array of entrepreneurs in the private sector.
The forum was one of the two engagement platforms agreed upon in the meeting. Giving a wrap-up of the meeting’s discussions and resolutions, the college Principal Prof. Eria Hisali said, “We have agreed to set up two platforms: this one of academics with entrepreneurs and private sector practitioners, and the other for policymakers where we academics will engage with government ministries and agencies. The latter will be known as a policy laboratory. As for the former, the committee of volunteers we have set up today will come up with an appropriate name.”
A committee of ten volunteers was formed. They include;
- Mr. John Kakungulu Walugembe, the executive director of Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises Uganda
- Grace Nanyonga Mugisha, Grana Fish Supplies Ltd
- Kazigati B.L.F, NAADS secretariat
- Seregio Naturinda, Swiftia Devt ltd
- Sajjabi Bamuzala Robert, Uwezo Microfinance
- Nabuuma Teddy, Twin Cakery
- Pamela Nalukwago Ntalo, Pamville Schools
- Ssekimpi Philip Kakembo, Uganda Tailors Association
- Alitubera Martha
- Ssenogo Brian Kimuli
The committee will work with a secretariat to be headed by Dr. Sarah Bimbona, the director of the Makerere University Entrepreneurship and Outreach Centre (MakEOC). It was mandated to pursue the recommendations of the first Entrepreneurs’ Business Breakfast Meeting and plan for future activities which include organizing the second such meeting in June 2023.
It was further resolved that to start with, the forum should convene twice a year, but the committee should meet quite often and keep updating the forum members. The next meeting of the forum should have more numbers in attendance, with more entrepreneurs giving personal testimonies of assistance got from Makerere University.
VACATING COMFORT ZONES
Prof. Hisali was pleased to listen to requests for more practical interaction between academics and entrepreneurs and innovators in the practical economy. “I am happy that our guests are challenging us to get out of our comfort zones as academicians. As a college, we have the knowledge and the manpower – faculty and students – which we can dip into the ecosystem of business and innovation. We are well placed to provide advisory services in areas of funding, taxation and policies, among others,” Prof. Hisali affirmed.
He disclosed that the college works with several stakeholders such as Uganda Revenue Authority, Uganda Registration Services Bureau, women traders in Kampala markets and other communities. This, in addition to designing more practical and relevant academic programmes
Prof. Hisali said the conversation on how the university should guide potential entrepreneurs and investors, what type of skills should be given to students and how to build and sustain a solid bridge among academia, industry, finance and business should continue.
The Head, Department of Marketing and Management, Dr. Peter Turyakira, emphasized that the Makerere University of today is no longer the ivory tower of the past. “We recognize that we are in the knowledge era; so, we share the knowledge we create through publications and conferences; we mentor students through expos and hubs, such that many of them leave campus when they are already employers or employed.”
KEYNOTE SPEAKER JOHN WALUGEMBE
Mr. John Kakungulu Walugembe, the executive director of the 734,000-business-member Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises Uganda, was the keynote speaker. Mr. Walugembe underscored the central role of small and medium enterprises and businesses in the development of countries.
“There is a lot of confusion and lack of exposure in this country. No country has ever developed on the basis of big companies or big investors. It is small and medium-sized enterprises that have built economies in developed countries.” He added that no country can ignore the textile and apparels sector, adding that this sector alone would employ all the youth flocking the Middle East seeking employment.
Mr. Walugembe decried the culture of entrepreneurs working in isolation from one another and the alarming lack of soft skills especially among the youth who dream of becoming rich without sweating. “There are many jobs in this country, but it is very difficult to find honest people,” he lamented.
He also criticized banks in Uganda for concentrating on buying treasury bills and bonds rather than loaning money to businesses, and the tax authority which prefers closing distressed businesses rather than help them survive.
Mr. Walugembe outlined a number of interventions Makerere can make to improve the situation in the ecosystem. He advised Makerere to have a venture fund and raise funds for investment; intellectual property; set up student-led enterprises; and avoid training people for jobs that are dying or no longer exist, among others.
DESIGN LABS, PUBLIC INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT CENTRE
Dr. Cathy Mbidde, the manager at Makerere University Innovation Hub, said the hub had embarked on the task of retrieving research documents archived in the library and translating them into usable innovations and products. She disclosed that with UNDP support, Makerere University is going to set up nine design labs for making machines and equipment, among other uses.
Prof. Hisali reported that government has given money to the college to set up a Centre of Public Investment Management. He said the centre has started supporting the implementation of many government initiatives and the improvement of the management performance of Saccos and SMEs. It would also absorb many of the students who would give free service as part of their training.
Non-Makerere participants put forward a number of challenges they face and pieces of advice on how the university should collaborate with them going forward. For example, they requested the university to help them gain exposure through foreign visits, avail advisory databases that can provide information and guidance on what kind of business one can start with which amount of capital or skills.
Participants also asked the university to train their students in soft skills, character, morality and discipline. Lack of self-confidence and a persevering spirit and shortage of locally made machines and equipment were pointed out as major obstacles to growth and survival of many businesses.
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.
The Statistics and Data Science (SDS) Working Group training kicked off on Monday, 20th January 2025, and will run until 24th January 2025. This training, an initiative by the college, aims to build capacity in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) among its members.
Participants are being equipped with a wide range of skills, covering topics such as text mining, unsupervised learning, neural networks, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and more. The training is facilitated by expert data scientists from the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), Housing Finance Bank, and the School of Statistics and Planning (SSP).
The SDS Working Group comprises academic staff at the School of Statistics and Planning (SSP) whose research interests focus on statistical learning and AI.
On January 21, 2025, Mr. Kiyingi Simon Peter and Mr. Tusubira Brian from URA led an engaging session on the practical applications of machine learning algorithms in day-to-day activities. They demonstrated how components fed into ML models are used to classify taxpayers into high-risk and low-risk categories, showcasing the transformative potential of AI in optimizing operations.
Dr. Margaret Banga, the Dean of the School of Statistics and Planning (SSP), emphasized the transformative impact of the training on both the academic and professional development of the participants. She commended the expert trainers from the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) and other partnering institutions for their practical and insightful contributions to the sessions. Dr. Banga noted that the training is a significant step toward enhancing the teaching methodologies and research capabilities of the faculty. “By equipping our staff with advanced skills in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, we are empowering them to deliver cutting-edge knowledge to our students and conduct impactful research that addresses real-world challenges,” she remarked.
The training is a testament to the SSP’s forward-thinking approach to education and research in statistics and data science. The integration of topics such as neural networks, text mining, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) underscores the need for multidisciplinary expertise in an increasingly data-driven world. Dr. Banga highlighted that this capacity-building effort aligns with the college’s strategic objectives of fostering innovation and staying ahead in the rapidly evolving fields of data science and statistical learning.
The Dean further stressed the importance of partnerships with organizations like the Uganda Revenue Authority and Housing Finance Bank, which provide invaluable industry perspectives. These collaborations ensure that academic training is not only theoretical but also applicable to practical challenges in sectors such as taxation, finance, and public administration.
In conclusion, Dr. Banga reaffirmed her commitment to continuous learning and development within the School of Statistics and Planning. She expressed confidence that the knowledge gained through the training would translate into improved academic delivery, enriched research output, and a stronger contribution to societal and economic transformation through the application of advanced data science methodologies.
On January 20, 2025, the Public Investment Management (PIM) Centre of Excellence at Makerere University commenced a three-day training program titled “Essentials of Public Investment Management.” The workshop, held at the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), aims to enhance the capacity of public service officials in planning, executing, and evaluating public investment projects.
The training workshop was officially opened by Prof. Edward Bbaale, who, in his opening remarks, expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development for their financial support and pivotal role in identifying and nominating participants for the program. He acknowledged the contributions of Permanent Secretaries, Vice Chancellors, and Executive Directors in ensuring representation from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of the Ugandan government.
Prof. Bbaale commended the collaborative efforts of Makerere University faculty, the Ministry of Finance, and the National Planning Authority in designing and delivering the training curriculum. He emphasized that the program reflects Makerere University’s commitment to fostering excellence in public investment management through capacity-building initiatives.
The training covers a comprehensive range of topics, including project preparation, the Integrated Bank of Projects (IBP), procurement processes, Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), monitoring and evaluation, and the integration of climate change and social risk management in project planning. Participants will gain both theoretical knowledge and practical experience in preparing real-world projects across vital sectors such as health, education, roads, electricity, and water.
Prof. Bbaale also highlighted the importance of advancing participants’ expertise through future modules in financial and economic appraisal of projects. He encouraged participants to consider enrolling in advanced training programs offered in collaboration with Cambridge Resources International and Queen’s University, Canada. Successful completion of these advanced modules will lead to a tripartite certification from Makerere University, the Ministry of Finance, and Queen’s University.
In addition to training, the PIM Centre of Excellence engages in research, outreach, and advisory services. Prof. Bbaale outlined ongoing projects, such as revising Development Committee guidelines for the Ministry of Finance and assessing project performance since the first National Development Plan (NDP I). He noted the Centre’s recent milestone—the successful hosting of the Public Investment Management Conference in October 2024—which evaluated the state of public investments in Uganda and charted the way forward.
The program participants, drawn from various government institutions, were encouraged to leverage the training to drive positive change in their respective roles. “This marks the beginning of your journey to becoming experts in Public Investment Management. Your commitment will not only enhance public service efficiency but also contribute to Uganda’s economic transformation,” said Prof. Bbaale.
The workshop is coordinated by the PIM Centre of Excellence Secretariat under the leadership of Dr. Sseruyange. The Centre remains steadfast in its mission to build capacity, promote research, and foster innovation in public investment management. At the end of the training, participants will be awarded dual certificates from Makerere University and the Ministry of Finance, recognizing their dedication to professional development.
This initiative underscores Makerere University’s role as a key player in national capacity-building and economic development through education and innovation. For God and My Country.
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