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Corporate Governance: A Strategy for Business Competitiveness

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Renowned Corporate Governance Consultant Japheth Katto has advised businesses to ensure their entities are run on the principles of corporate governance if they are to grow and make profit.

Corporate Governance, he said, is concerned with holding the balance between economic and social goals as well as between individual and communal goals.

Quoting Sir Adrian Cadbury, Katto said the corporate governance framework exists to encourage the efficient use of resources and equally to require accountability for the stewardship of those resources. The aim is to align as nearly as possible the interests of individuals, corporations and society.

Mr. Japheth Katto delivers the public lecture.
Mr. Japheth Katto delivers the public lecture.

Mr. Katto was speaking during a public lecture, organized by the School of Business, Makerere University on Corporate Governance as a Strategy for Business Competitiveness held on April 5, 2023 in the Yusuf Lule Auditorium.

He said good corporate governance is the foundation of any successful business. “In business, it refers to the purpose, people, processes, practices, and policies used to make formal decisions and run the company.”

“Research has shown that better-governed firms have higher stock prices and investors are rushing to buy their shares” Mr. Katto said.

Part of the audience that attended the Public Lecture on Corporate Governance organised by the School of Business, Makerere University.
Part of the audience that attended the Public Lecture on Corporate Governance organised by the School of Business, Makerere University.

Corporate governance not only applies to big firms but also the small start-ups, Mr Katto shared.

“The high level of informality of most African Economies, which includes Uganda and the role of these businesses that operate informally (SME’s who employ 75% of Ugandans) significantly add to the economic growth of the economy but –

there are no formal ways to enforce and improve their corporate governance since they are not officially captured in the data. Uganda’s 1.1 million SME’s account for 80% of the country’s GDP and 90% of its private sector,” he said.

Seated Right to Left: The DVCAA-Prof. Umar Kakumba, Mr. Japheth Katto, Ms. Cathy Adengo and Ambassador Damalie Ssali with some of the officials that graced the public lecture.
Seated Right to Left: The DVCAA-Prof. Umar Kakumba, Mr. Japheth Katto, Ms. Cathy Adengo and Ambassador Damalie Ssali with some of the officials that graced the public lecture.

Mr. Katto shared that corporate governance has some pillars that all firms must abide by. These include;

  1. Transparency
  2. Accountability
  3. Fairness
  4. Responsibility
  5. Independence
  6. Ethical conduct
  7. Reputation and Reputational risk
Ambassador Damalie Ssali, one of the panelists at the public lecture.
Ambassador Damalie Ssali, one of the panelists at the public lecture.

All these pillars, Ambassador Damalie Ssali one of the panelists added, must be imbued in the employees of the organization. She underscored the importance of diversity among board members as well as employees. She said diversity will result in innovation among the employees and thus spur competitiveness.

“Your organization should have diversity of skills and gender. Research has shown that companies with gender diversity perform better than those that are male dominated” she added.

The DVCAA-Prof. Umar Kakumba (Right) presents Mak Souvenirs to Mr. Japheth Katto (Left) after he delivered the public lecture.
The DVCAA-Prof. Umar Kakumba (Right) presents Mak Souvenirs to Mr. Japheth Katto (Left) after he delivered the public lecture.

To become competitive, businesses were advised to 1. Establish and implement clear policies and procedures 2. Appoint a suitable board of directors (skills, ethics, independence) 3. Implement robust internal controls and trainings, and 4. Be accountable.

Once a company is competitive it stands to gain from access to loans, access to markets, strategic partnerships, talent retention, good will from the public, reporting and accountability and long term sustainability among others.

On the qualities of individuals that companies hire, Mr. Katto said, “We’re looking for three things, generally, in a person: intelligence, energy and integrity. And if they don’t have the last one, don’t even bother with the first two”.

Ms. Cathy Adengo makes her contribution during the panel discussion.
Ms. Cathy Adengo makes her contribution during the panel discussion.

Ms. Cathy Adengo, one of the panelists emphasized that people want to be associated with organizations that have good corporate governance because those will thrive. She advised the students to look to such firms when searching for jobs.

The public lecture was graced by the Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe who appreciated the keynote speaker for sparing time to share knowledge with staff, students and members of the public present.  He encouraged the students to listen attentively as he too was delighted to listen to Mr. Katto and learn something new on corporate governance.

The Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (Right) makes his remarks during the public lecture.
The Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (Right) makes his remarks during the public lecture.

He thanked the School of Business for organizing the public lecture for it will benefit the students. “They will go out to lead the world better equipped,” he said.

The Vice Chancellor made reference to a newspaper article that cited the Mulwana Empire as being one of the few surviving family businesses in Uganda, which was attributed to its corporate governance. In reference to Makerere, he said the institution also survived the political turmoil of the 1980s due to good corporate governance.

Prof. Godfrey Akileng, Dean School of Business, College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS).
Prof. Godfrey Akileng, Dean School of Business, College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS).

The Dean School of Business, Prof. Godfrey Akileng who represented the Principal of the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Prof. Eria Hisali, also appreciated Mr. Katto and the organisers of the lecture. He challenged the students to ensure they learn something and utilize it to run or start their businesses.

“Corporate governance not only relates to private firms but can be used as a driver in SMEs and public institutions,” he said.

Betty Kyakuwa
Betty Kyakuwa

Business & Management

Prudential Uganda invests UGX 135 million in Makerere’s Top 5 Actuarial Graduates

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Mr. Tetteh Ayitevie (3rd L), Prof. Edward Bbaale (4th R), Dr. Felix Wamono (3rd R) and officials pose for a group photo with four of the Top Five Actuarial Science Students of the 75th Graduation Ceremony on 11th June 2025. Prudential Uganda award of UGX 135 million to the top five graduates of Makerere University’s Actuarial Science program, under the Prudential Actuarial Support Scheme (PASS), demonstrating its firm commitment to nurturing globally competitive actuarial talent within the country, 11th June 2025, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

In a strategic move aimed at strengthening Uganda’s financial and insurance sectors, Prudential Uganda has awarded UGX 135 million to the top five graduates of Makerere University’s Actuarial Science program, underscoring its firm commitment to nurturing globally competitive actuarial talent within the country.

The initiative, operating under the Prudential Actuarial Support Scheme (PASS) is a transformative partnership launched in 2022 between Prudential Uganda and Makerere University, anchored in a five-year renewable agreement aimed at cultivating professional excellence in actuarial science through merit-based support. Under this scheme, the top five actuarial graduates from the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) at Makerere University are each awarded a cash prize of USD 500—a tangible recognition of academic brilliance and perseverance.

Beyond the monetary reward, PASS provides a robust framework of academic and professional support, including sponsorship for globally recognized certification exams, industry mentorship, and hands-on training opportunities. This holistic approach ensures that Uganda’s brightest actuarial minds are not only celebrated, but also empowered to thrive on the global stage.

L-R: Exceptional graduate award recipients; Kenneth Inyangat, Gordon Twinomujuni, Daphine Katana and Allan Galabuzi. Prudential Uganda award of UGX 135 million to the top five graduates of Makerere University’s Actuarial Science program, under the Prudential Actuarial Support Scheme (PASS), demonstrating its firm commitment to nurturing globally competitive actuarial talent within the country, 11th June 2025, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
L-R: Exceptional graduate award recipients; Kenneth Inyangat, Gordon Twinomujuni, Daphine Katana and Allan Galabuzi.

During a press conference held on 11th June 2025, the five exceptional graduates were recognized for their academic excellence and potential to shape the future of Uganda’s financial services industry. Mr. Brendan Joseph Lule, Mr. Gordon Twinomujuni, Mr. Allan Galabuzi, Ms. Daphine Katana, and Mr. Kenneth Inyangat—each received a cash prize of USD 500 and full sponsorship for globally recognized actuarial certification exams. This award positions them on an accelerated path toward international professional accreditation.

Speaking during the press briefing, Prof. Edward Bbaale, Principal of the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), applauded the partnership between Makerere University and Prudential Assurance Uganda for coming up with an initiative that inspires students to aim higher and a clear message that their hard work is recognized and valued beyond the lecture halls.

Prof. Bbaale described the collaboration, formalized under PASS as a transformative coalition that would significantly shape the future of actuarial science education in Uganda. He emphasized the real-world value of the support offered through the scheme, noting that at least 10 students undertook professional actuarial exams under the initiative. He highlighted that the top-performing student is further rewarded with a one-year apprenticeship at Prudential Uganda—an opportunity he described a profound investment in hands-on experience and career development. He reported that at least two graduates had benefited from this prestigious placement, gaining invaluable industry exposure that bridges academic excellence with professional practice.

“The PASS is a visionary initiative that rewards academic excellence and builds professional capacity. Through this scheme, the top five actuarial science graduates each year will receive cash prizes of $500. They will also benefit from support for professional certification exams, including those offered by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries and the Society of Actuaries,” Prof. Bbaale remarked.

At the national level, Prof. Bbaale emphasized that the collaboration between Makerere University and Prudential Uganda directly addresses Uganda’s pressing need for skilled actuaries in key sectors such as insurance, pensions, and healthcare. He noted that the Prudential Actuarial Support Scheme effectively aligns academic training with industry demands, thereby enhancing the relevance of university education in the context of national development. He remarked that this alignment contributes meaningfully to Uganda’s human capital development agenda and supports the broader goal of strengthening institutional capacity in financial risk management.

L-R: Mr. Tetteh Ayitevie – Chief Executive Officer of Prudential Uganda, Ms. Daphine Katana - Exceptional Graduate Award Recipient, and Prof. Edward Bbaale – Principal of Makerere University College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS). Prudential Uganda award of UGX 135 million to the top five graduates of Makerere University’s Actuarial Science program, under the Prudential Actuarial Support Scheme (PASS), demonstrating its firm commitment to nurturing globally competitive actuarial talent within the country, 11th June 2025, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
L-R: Mr. Tetteh Ayitevie – Chief Executive Officer of Prudential Uganda, Ms. Daphine Katana – Exceptional Graduate Award Recipient, and Prof. Edward Bbaale – Principal of Makerere University College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS).

The Principal commended Prudential Assurance Uganda for their visionary support and long-term commitment. He said the partnership with Makerere University College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) represents more than a financial investment, but a bold step toward professionalizing actuarial education in Uganda and preparing students for leadership and service in the financial sector. “Together, we are building a stronger, more skilled Uganda—one actuary at a time,” he affirmed.

Describing the occasion as a celebration of excellence, resilience, and the immense potential of a new generation of actuaries destined to shape Uganda’s insurance and financial landscape, Mr. Tetteh Ayitevie, Chief Executive Officer of Prudential Uganda, expressed deep pride in the Prudential Actuarial Support Scheme.

He stated that the initiative is a bold and forward-looking investment in the country’s actuarial leadership. He commended the graduates for their academic tenacity and discipline, noting that their achievements reflected not only personal merit, but also the promise of a stronger, self-sustaining insurance sector.

“You have survived the course load, and now, you are stepping into the real world ready to contribute meaningfully. We see you. We believe in you. And we are proud of you,” Mr. Ayitevie said.

He reiterated the crucial role of actuarial science in modern economies, highlighting it as the engine behind robust insurance frameworks, risk modeling, and long-term financial planning. According to Mr. Ayitevie, despite its understated visibility, actuarial work underpins the stability of entire financial systems, and Uganda must rise to the challenge of building this critical professional cadre.

“Actuarial science may not be the loudest career path, but it is one of the most vital. It’s the heartbeat of any insurance company. It’s where math meets life. It’s where you predict risks, protect people, and create sustainable financial systems,” he stated.

He also drew attention to the glaring gap in Uganda’s actuarial landscape, noting the country’s limited number of certified actuaries in contrast to its population size. He stressed the urgency of cultivating homegrown expertise rather than relying on outsourced talent, positioning the Prudential Actuarial Support Scheme as a strategic intervention to reverse this trend.

Ritah Namisango
Ritah Namisango

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GAMSU Training Workshop Urges CoBAMS academic staff to embrace grant writing

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Stakeholders pose for a group photo after the training workshop on 4th June 2025. Training workshop aimed at empowering staff with knowledge and techniques on grants administration and management, facilitated by Grants Administration and Management Support Unit (GAMSU), 4th June 2025, College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) Conference Room, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

On 4th June 2025, the leadership and academic staff from the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) participated in a training workshop aimed at empowering them with knowledge and techniques on grants administration and management.

Featuring presentations on understanding the Grants Administration and Management Support Unit (GAMSU) key processes and systems, compliance and accountability, the eMakGAM (Makerere University Grants Management System), and an Open dialogue, the training workshop presented the leadership and academic staff from CoBAMS with a platform to gain a deeper understanding of this vital area.

It is envisaged that the training workshops will not only onboard members of staff to support the operations of GAMSU, but also mobilize staff to write and win grants.

Welcoming the participants, the Head of GAMSU, Prof. Sylvia Antonia Nakimera Nannyonga-Tamusuza, articulated the deliberate plan to hold continuous engagements with members of staff at different levels to position them to appreciate their role in the grants administration and management chain.

Whereas the 4th June 2025 training workshop targeted academic staff at CoBAMS, Prof. Nannyonga-Tamusuza reported that, GAMSU was scheduled to train finance managers, accountants and project managers on 7th June 2025.

Prof. Sylvia Antonia Nakimera Nannyonga-Tamusuza. Training workshop aimed at empowering staff with knowledge and techniques on grants administration and management, facilitated by Grants Administration and Management Support Unit (GAMSU), 4th June 2025, College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) Conference Room, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Sylvia Antonia Nakimera Nannyonga-Tamusuza.

Recognizing that funding accessed through grants at the national and global levels significantly contributes to the implementation of Makerere University’s core activities in the fields of research, teaching and learning, community engagements, and knowledge transfer partnerships, Prof. Nannyonga-Tamusuza elaborated that the planned engagements would provide a platform to members of staff to actively contribute to grants administration and management.

Acknowledging that grant writing and awards lead to a win-win situation for both Makerere University and the grant writer, the Head of GAMSU, called upon academic staff to embrace the capacity building sessions.

“CoBAMS has over 120 academic staff. If each member of staff committed to writing and winning at least two (2) research grants, I envision increased research at the national and global levels, increased publications, staff and student mobility, scholarships, international recognition, and improved staff welfare,’ she said.

Prof. Nannyonga-Tamusuza revealed that GAMSU will be working with some members of staff from CoBAMS who have been core in grant writing to train, onboard and mentor others in order to expand the grant profile of Makerere University.

She advised academic staff to form a research team that can compete for grants. “The formation of a team ensures that staff with different strengths, abilities and competencies are brought on board, which enhances your chances of winning the grant,” she stated.

Prof. Nannyonga-Tamusuza encouraged the leadership and staff to submit themes that they are interested in, so as to inform GAMSU on the grant calls or proposals to send their way.

Prof. Edward Bbaale. Training workshop aimed at empowering staff with knowledge and techniques on grants administration and management, facilitated by Grants Administration and Management Support Unit (GAMSU), 4th June 2025, College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) Conference Room, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Edward Bbaale.

Opening the training workshop, the College Principal, Prof. Edward Bbaale, who has written and won grants, emphasized the need to account for funds awarded. Referring to the binding contracts/agreements that clearly stipulate that money received through grants should not be personalized, the Principal urged academic staff and Principal Investigators to adhere to the guidelines.

The Principal notified the participants that the government has prioritized grants management. He elaborated that University leadership and Principal Investigators have been tasked by the Office of the Auditor General to ensure value for money in grants management.

In his submission, the Deputy Principal of the College, Associate Professor James Wokadala rallied academic staff to change their mindset and include grant writing among their priorities. He also advised them to overcome the inherent fear of starting to write, the failure to create time to write, and the discomfort that comes with unsuccessful attempts. He reiterated that the training workshops were aimed at strengthening the relationship among staff and GAMSU, forging linkages with experienced grant writers, and opening up networks. The Deputy Principal disclosed that the College and GAMSU would hold mindset change training workshops, and expressed the readiness of the College leadership to facilitate and support staff to gain traction in grant writing.

Assoc. Prof. James Wokadala. Training workshop aimed at empowering staff with knowledge and techniques on grants administration and management, facilitated by Grants Administration and Management Support Unit (GAMSU), 4th June 2025, College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) Conference Room, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Assoc. Prof. James Wokadala.

Presentation on grants administration and management

The participants listened to presentations from Prof. Nannyonga-Tamusuza, the Head of GAMSU and Mr. Mordecai Tayebwa, the Grants Manager at the Makerere University College of Health Sciences:

In her presentation, Prof. Nannyonga-Tamusuza emphasized the need to read every detail in the contract/award document.

Presenting the key stages supported by GAMSU namely the Pre-Award, Award, Post-Award, Audit and Close-Out, she observed that sometimes, Principal Investigators forget the Close-Out phase. Emphasizing that the Close-Out phase is a vital step in grants administration and management, she sensitized the participants to always Close-Out the program/project.

Stating the difference between grants and consultancies, she explained that GAMSU does not handle consultancies. She reiterated that the role of GAMSU is restricted to grants.

On the mandate of GAMSU, Prof. Nannyonga-Tamusuza stated that the Unit was established by Makerere University Grants Administration and Management Policy in 2020 approved by the University Council. Its mandate involves the following: Registering and renewing Makerere University’s membership on funding grants/platforms, sensitizing units about grants administration and management, sharing grant calls, linking researchers with possible funders, participating in grant negotiations after the award and during the signing of agreements, supporting grant entry on the Grants database, creating links among researchers, monitoring and evaluation of progress reports, and grant close-out.

Mr. Mordecai Tayebwa. Training workshop aimed at empowering staff with knowledge and techniques on grants administration and management, facilitated by Grants Administration and Management Support Unit (GAMSU), 4th June 2025, College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) Conference Room, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Mr. Mordecai Tayebwa.

She informed the participants that GAMSU had automated the entire grant cycle, and appealed to principal investigators, researchers and staff with grants to register them online via: https://gamsuportal.mak.ac.ug

Mr. Mordecai Tayebwa, a CoBAMS alumnus who works closely with GAMSU, underscored the need for compliance, transparency and accountability in grants administration and management. Mr. Tayebwa rallied the Principal Investigators and research teams to always hold a kick-off meeting so that each Member of the team understands and appreciates his or her role, as well as, the expectations, the do’s and don’ts , the timelines and deliverables. He advised the participants to document every step about the grant, which involves keeping every record about the grant in an organized and accessible format.  He urged GAMSU and the leadership at CoBAMS to institute a support system or project administrators to document grants.

Way forward

Building on to the GAMSU trainings, some of the capacity building engagements will focus on identification of grant writers and winners at the College and pairing them with early career faculty members/researchers for mentorship. The strategies would entail strengthening the college grants management unit, conducting specialized trainings aimed at mindset change among the early career faculty/researchers, identification of GAMSU ambassadors at the College level as well as deliberate efforts to operationalize a college support team that liaises with GAMSU and the Principal Investigators.

Ritah Namisango
Ritah Namisango

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From risk to resilience: Increasing insurance uptake among farmers in rural Uganda

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Dr. Aisha Nanyiti presenting about the project. EfD-Uganda Fellows Co-creation workshop with representatives from Government, CSO and the private sector to generate a context-relevant Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSMEs)-led model for supporting the transition to low-carbon ag-tech by smallholder farmers, 25th April 2024, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

By Dr. Aisha Nanyiti

Poor households in low-income countries face numerous risks, from extreme weather events to illness and crop failure. With limited savings and assets, even small shocks can have devastating consequences on welfare. While formal insurance products can potentially help mitigate these risks, their uptake remains remarkably low among rural smallholder farmers, who instead primarily rely on informal risk-sharing networks. This pattern persists despite evidence suggesting that informal insurance mechanisms provide incomplete coverage against shocks. These shocks translate into shortfalls in income and consumption (Karlan et al. 2014, Morduch 1999).

Studying the impact of insurance on farmers’ economic behaviour

In Nanyiti and Pamuk (2025), we focus on smallholder farmers in rural Uganda and examine how different insurance arrangements affect their economic behaviour and decision-making. Uganda provides an ideal setting to explore these questions, as only 1% of adults have formal insurance coverage, despite 67% of households depending on agriculture for their livelihoods. By comparing behaviour under formal insurance (provided by registered companies) versus informal insurance (peer-to-peer transfers), we gain insights into why formal insurance uptake remains low and how farmers respond to different risk management options.

Using a real effort task experiment, we investigate whether the incentives created by these different insurance arrangements influence productivity and risk management decisions. Our findings reveal important behavioural responses that help explain observed patterns in insurance uptake and suggest potential approaches for improving the design and adoption of formal insurance products. We find that farmers exerted less effort under informal insurance but not under formal insurance coverage, and increased their level of formal insurance coverage after experiencing a bad outcome.

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Dr. Aisha Nanyiti is a Lecturer at the School of Economics, College of Business and Management Sciences, Makerere University

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