Business & Management
1,819 CoBAMS Students awarded at 73rd Graduation Ceremony
It was merrymaking at the Freedom Square as 1,819 students of the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) received PhDs, masters and undergraduate degrees on the third day of the 73rd Graduation on February 15, 2023. Of these, 891 are male while 928 are female. The college graduated 3 PhDs, 376 Masters, 11 post graduate diplomas and 1,429 undergraduate students.
During the celebrations, one of our partners, Prudential Uganda, rewarded the best 5 performing students from the Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science with USD500 and a professional study scholarship. The students recognized and their respective CGPAs include; Nanfuka Rebecca Rosette with 4.55, Mukiibi Cyrus with 4.15, Angura Kupa Abraham with 4.02, Mwesigwa Mark Lewis with 4.00 and Akumu Gloria Agnes with 3.99.
One students of the college under the MasterCard Foundations scholarship received an award for exceptional performance. Nanyunja Fatumah got a first class degree in the Bachelor of Business Administration and was awarded a plaque in recognition of her excellent performance. Other high performing students rewarded by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) were Nassali Tendo with a CGPA of 4.7 in the Bachelor of Science in Business Statistics, Ariong Emmanuel with a CGPA of 4.62 in Bachelor of Statistics and Okiria Eric Junior who scored a CGPA of 4.62 in the Bachelor of Science in Quantitative Economics.
The Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC) also rewarded the best Masters of Economics student Namuleme Hilda with a CGPA of 4.91. Namuleme is set to receive a yearlong young professionals program opportunity tenured at EPRC.
A total of 13,221 graduands will receive degrees and diplomas of Makerere University during the course of the 73rd graduation ceremony. Of these, a total of 102 graduands will graduate with PhDs, 1,378 with Masters, 11,598 with Bachelor’s degrees and 143 with undergraduate and post graduate diplomas. 52 per cent of the graduands are female while 48 % are male. 41 of the 102 PhD graduands and 563 of the 1,378 Masters graduands are female, representing 40% and 41% respectively.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, congratulated the students, parents and staff of the college. “I also congratulate the members of staff that are graduating today as well as children and spouses of members of staff and their parents or spouses,” the Vice Chancellor said.
Prof. Nawangwe congratulated the Chairperson of Council, Mrs. Lorna Magara and the Vice Chairperson of Council, Rt. Hon. Daniel Fred Kidega upon their re-appointment.
The Vice Chancellor congratulated CoBAMS staff upon the research being carried out in the college, saying Makerere strives to transform into a research-led University. “The Research and Innovations Fund, that was made possible through a Government grant of UGX 30 billion annually, has transformed Makerere tremendously, with very many innovations in agriculture and food security, health, engineering, education, veterinary medicine, artificial intelligence, economics and business management, and the social sciences that are already changing the lives of our people,” he said.
The Vice Chancellor informed the graduands that the university has developed measures to fast track the issuance of transcripts and certificates. Previously, for one to receive the academic documents, he or she was required to clear with more than 10 offices. “We have reviewed this and one is now required to clear with only two (2) offices,” the VC said. Prof. Nawangwe pledged that going ahead, the university would issue transcripts after one month. The VC called on the students to be good ambassadors, to trust in God and to remember that the gates of Makerere will always be open for those that seek more knowledge.
The Chancellor, Prof. Ezra Suruma, who presided over the ceremony congratulated the graduands and commended the PhD research undertaken by the awardees. He particularly commended the research on how we can improve educational attainment in UPE and USE where learning outcomes have continued to be below standard. The study also recommended improving internal financial controls in schools.
“Two other studies in the College of Business and Management Sciences attracted my attention; one was on the demand for healthcare and health insurance in Uganda and the other was about the impact of technical vocational training on employment. There is no doubt that both healthcare health insurance and employment are leading national concerns. I am therefore very pleased to see research coming from Makerere tackling issues that are at the heart of our country’s social and economic welfare,” Prof. Suruma said.
He commended the spirit of hard work, endurance, self-control and discipline among the students, adding that the degrees being awarded are testimony to the hardships, the discipline, the commitment, the pain and the tears the students have shed over decades of academic struggle.
He also appreciated the parents for the financial support to the students despite the economic hardships.
To the graduands, the chancellor said, “the hour has now come for you to go out to the field, to fight the good fight, to run the race for which you have been preparing. I appeal to you to remember love in the middle of the tough battles ahead. Remember love. Pray for the possibility of joy in a sad world. Ponder the possibility of godliness and contentment in a broken world. Remember love in an apparently loveless world.”
Highlights of the year 2022 as we celebrate
Government, through the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development accepted to take over support of the Public Investment Management Centre of Excellence at the College. The Centre supports government to provide advanced practical oriented training in Tools for Public Investment Analysis as well as research.
The Environment for Development Centre won funding to the tune of 400,000 USD from SIDA to support capacity building for senior government officials in the area of Inclusive Green Economy. This is part of the ongoing efforts globally to ensure inclusive and sustainable economic growth. The Center also successfully hosted the Joint Cross Country Workshop of the global network of EfD Centers at an event that took place in Kampala in July 2022.
The quality of Programmes at the College has continued to attract valuable partnerships. The ACCA Global accredited our Bachelor of Commerce Degree program and in so doing has given an exemption of eight of the possible thirteen papers to students graduating from our Bachelor of Commerce Degree Programme. The College also partnered with Prudential Assurance Uganda Limited to recognize outstanding students of Actuarial Science Programme. The leading five students graduating from the Programme will receive a full scholarship to pursue the Professional Actuarial qualification in addition to a cash prize of 500 USD.
Business & Management
PIM Centre Awards Certificates to Over 35 Officials Trained in Essentials of Public Investment Management
The Public Investment Management (PIM) Centre of Excellence at Makerere University has awarded certificates to more than 35 public officials who successfully completed a three-day training in the Essentials of Public Investment Management (PIM).
The training, held from September 23rd to 26th, 2025 at the College of Business and Management Sciences, aimed at strengthening the capacity of government officials to effectively identify, prepare, and implement public projects.
The closing ceremony was officiated by Ms. Belinda Bisamaza, who represented the Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Treasury (PS/ST). In her remarks, Ms. Bisamaza commended participants for their commitment, noting that the training had offered a solid foundation in the entire PIM cycle — from project conceptualization and profiling, through monitoring and evaluation (M&E), to the use of the Integrated Bank of Projects (IBP), Environmental and Social Risk Management, and Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).
“With these skills, you can contribute meaningfully to improving the quality of proposals submitted to the IBP, ensure better risk management, and enhance implementation through robust monitoring frameworks,” she said, adding that participants were now better prepared for advanced modules on financial appraisal, risk analysis, and stakeholder engagement.
Representing the PIM Centre, Prof. Eria Hisali highlighted the need for well-prepared projects that directly contribute to economic growth. “We must move away from the practice of developing projects only when funding is required. Instead, we should create a strong bank of quality projects from which government can easily draw,” he said.
The Manager of the PIM Centre, Dr. John Sseruyange, expressed gratitude to the participants and trainers for their dedication. He noted that the facilitators were drawn from Makerere University, the National Planning Authority (NPA), and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED). Dr. Sseruyange also revealed that the Centre would be rolling out further in-depth training modules and creating opportunities for alumni to engage in consultancy and research work. The PIM Centre hosts the training as part of broader efforts by Makerere University, MoFPED, and NPA to strengthen Uganda’s public investment management systems, ensuring value for money, improved service delivery, and sustainable economic development.
Business & Management
PIM Centre Makerere, Graduates Second Cohort of Certificate in Financial Implications – Integrated Regulatory Cost-Benefit Analysis
Jinja, September 5, 2025
Thirty-one government officers from Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) have successfully completed a two-week intensive training in the Certificate of Financial Implications (CFI) – Integrated Regulatory Cost-Benefit Analysis. The certification ceremony was held at the Pearl on the Nile Hotel, Jinja, marking another milestone in Uganda’s efforts to institutionalize evidence-based and fiscally responsible policymaking.
The training, delivered by the Makerere University Public Investment Management (PIM) Centre of Excellence in partnership with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED), and National Planning Authority equipped participants with practical skills to evaluate policy and legislative proposals for their financial, economic, and social implications.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Mr. Paul Mwanja, Commissioner for Infrastructure & Social Services at MoFPED, who represented the Permanent Secretary, commended the officers for their commitment at a time when government institutions are finalizing the Auditor General’s audits, implementing the FY2025/26 budget, rolling out the National Development Plan IV’s tenfold growth strategy, and preparing for the 2026 General Elections.
“Your participation affirms a collective commitment across Government to strengthen the quality, transparency, and credibility of public policymaking in Uganda,” Mr. Mwanja said. He urged graduates to return to their institutions as champions of reform, share their knowledge with colleagues, and drive the change needed in Public Finance Management. He also announced that the next cohort of the training will take place in January 2026.
Prof. Ibrahim Mike Okumu, Dean of the School of Economics at Makerere University, delivered the graduation address, highlighting the certificate’s importance in addressing Uganda’s triple challenge of scale, scarcity, and speed.
“This program does something unique. It teaches you not only to ask whether a policy or project is beneficial, but also whether it is affordable and resilient under real fiscal constraints,” Prof. Okumu noted. He challenged graduates to apply their skills at project, portfolio, and policy levels—ensuring value for money and enhancing public trust in government spending.
He further emphasized that Uganda’s pioneering approach to integrated CFI-CBA positions the country as a leader in Africa and beyond: “You, Uganda’s first CFI-CBA graduates, are now part of a global brain trust. Your work will speak to investors, parliaments, development partners, and above all, the Ugandan people.”
Dr. John Sseruyange, Manager of the PIM Centre of Excellence, expressed appreciation to participants for their active engagement throughout the training and thanked MoFPED and the faculty drawn from Makerere University, the National Planning Authority, Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Energy for their technical support.
The Certificate of Financial Implications – Integrated Regulatory Cost-Benefit Analysis was introduced following the Revised Guidelines for Financial Clearance, effective July 1, 2025. The guidelines require MDAs to prepare their own financial implications statements, subject to rigorous cost-benefit analysis, thereby strengthening linkages between fiscal responsibility and regulatory impact assessments.
With the successful completion of the second cohort, Uganda is steadily building a critical mass of professionals capable of embedding cost-benefit thinking across government, ensuring every shilling delivers maximum impact for citizens.
The Public Investment Management Centre of Excellence (PIM CoE) at Makerere University held its Steering Committee meeting on 4th September 2025 at Mestil Hotel in Kampala. The session, attended by all members, focused on reviewing progress, reflecting on achievements from the past financial year, and charting the way forward for the Centre.
About the PIM Centre of Excellence
The PIM CoE was established in March 2022 at Makerere University’s College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), in partnership with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED). Its purpose is to strengthen Uganda’s public investment management system through training, research, and advisory services.
The Steering Committee plays a critical role in oversight, review, coordination, and advisory functions, guiding the Centre’s work and ensuring that public investment processes align with national development priorities.
Highlights from the Meeting
Speaking at the meeting, Dr. Joseph Muvawala, the Executive Director of the National Planning Authority, praised the October 2024 Annual PIM Conference for expanding perspectives on project design and delivery. He emphasized the importance of shifting from theory to practice in training, advocating for students and officials to engage with real-world projects. He also underscored the Centre’s new autonomy—transitioning from a subvention to a vote—which gives it greater independence but also demands stronger financial accountability. Dr. Muvawala further called for a permanent physical home for the Centre, noting that sufficient resources are available to make this possible and that negotiations with government are underway.
Mr. Ashaba Hannington, Director Budget at MoFPED, shared key achievements from the 2024/25 financial year. He noted that the Annual PIM Conference, organised jointly by MoFPED and the Centre, provided a vital platform for stakeholders to reflect on progress in public investment management.
Mr. Ashaba reaffirmed MoFPED’s commitment to working closely with the Centre to strengthen Uganda’s public investment capacity.
Prof. Eria Hisali, Co–Principal Investigator of the PIM CoE, outlined strategies to increase the Centre’s vibrancy and impact. He emphasized direct project engagement, advisory services, and peer reviews as ways to bridge the gap between theory and practice. Looking ahead, he revealed plans for a Master’s program in Economic and Investment Modelling, a Training of Trainers (ToT) initiative, and deeper practical capacity-building efforts.
Prof. Hisali also noted several successful trainings from the past year, including:
- 46 staff from MDAs trained in Essentials of PIM.
- 59 participants across two cohorts trained in Financial Appraisal and Risk Analysis.
- 25 participants trained in Economic Appraisal and Stakeholder Analysis.
He proposed the introduction of a “trailer feasibility test” to evaluate whether completed projects deliver benefits as projected and to address optimism bias in project planning.
Dr. John Seruyange, Manager of the PIM CoE, highlighted the Centre’s growing regional footprint. Beyond Uganda, six central government officers from Somalia have been trained in Infrastructure Asset Management, generating further interest in advanced training from Somalia, Zimbabwe, and Somaliland. To position itself as a regional hub, the Centre is preparing a prospectus to market its courses across Africa and beyond.
Why It Matters
The Steering Committee reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that the PIM CoE remains a leading think tank and capacity-building hub for government and regional partners. By improving the appraisal, financing, and implementation of public projects, the Centre is strengthening accountability, enhancing service delivery, and contributing to Uganda’s broader development goals.
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