Business & Management
Uganda’s Civil Servants retooled on Urban Water Observatories
Uganda’s senior public servants in the water sector and the academia from Makerere University have been skilled on Urban Water observatories.
The half day training held at Makerere University on 5th April, 2023 was facilitated by Dr. David Fuente from the University of South Carolina USA.
Dr. Fuente was at Makerere University to kick off the collaborative project with his colleagues Dr. Nicholas Kilimani and Prof. Edward Bbaale focusing on Urban Water Supply and the Challenge of Bill Payment and Affordability and, also to facilitate a workshop on Urban Water Observatories project within the EfD Network focused on Urban Water Scarcity and Equity.
The goal of the workshop was to have a dialogue with a variety of stakeholders from the water sector in Uganda to understand the challenges they perceive with respect to providing resilient and equitable water and sanitation services.
The other objectives were to understand the opportunities they perceive given the strength among the various stakeholders and how policy makers and stakeholders are thinking about priorities within the water sector, what actions they can take to promote access to resilient water and sanitation services, and which procedure has been difficult or easy.
Having facilitated these dialogues in four different countries, Dr. Fuente said perceived challenges from Uganda’s stake holders like sector coordination, insufficient resources to meet resilient and adequate water and sanitation services, the challenge of affordability, communication both within the governments, sector entities and across the Civil Society Organisations were not unique to Uganda’s context
“What I found particularly inspiring is the stakeholders sharing a number of strength that exist in Uganda including emerging and improved coordination among sector players, competent and committed staff and government agencies committed to improving service delivery.
Additional strengths highlighted were the strong institutional and legal framework to support development in the water sector and so the policies are in place and it is a matter of merging the policies and resources to leverage on the objectives that government has set which was so inspiring”. He explained.
Another insight from the meeting was that many of the policy instruments or policy actions that the government and policy makers partake were perceived as potentially of high impact but difficult to implement.
Much of the low hanging fruits according to Dr. Fuente have been taken care of and the steps that are needed to get forward are going to be challenging to implement.
“The positive side of this is that, it was interesting to see that many of the stakeholders perceived a wide range of policy actions and policy instruments that could be implemented to improve resilient water and sanitation services delivery being potentially impactful.
From EfD perspective, there is a real opportunity for the EfD-Mak and the EfD Network to help sector players martial evidence to help them understand which policy instrument is likely to be very effective given the institutional context here in Uganda”. Dr. Fuente commented adding that:
“I sense real optimism, commitment to improving the situation on the ground and high level of engagement and interest. I hope the stakeholders and EfD Mak continue with the conversation we started and identify which ways they can partner to develop high impact research opportunities and pursue together”.
The Director EfD-Mak Centre Prof. Edward Bbaale said this was just a start of the collaboration.
“The university cannot exist, if it does not impact society and if it does not solve problems that society is facing at that particularly time. And so, as EfD and Makerere University, our gates are open for you to come in but also our gates are open for us to get out and reach out to you and in many of the cases, we shall be calling on you wherever you are. And the main objective of our coming is how do we twin and join efforts to find a lasting solutions”.
Bbaale stressed that whereas donors are interested in supporting research, research that is impactful is that one that is a collaboration between stakeholders and the academia.
Participants commend the workshop
“The workshop brings in an interface for a dialogue so that we are able to look at how we translate the science into water supply service provision and ensure that there is sustainability. We were talking about how we ensure social equity, how do we ensure that there is water for all as a human right?
Yet again, translating the science will ensure that we are able to put in place policies, having the right science of how situations are happening, talking about climate change, degradation, high population growth rate and how all these inform policy”, David Cheptoi , Engineer from the Ministry of Water and Environment said.
“This workshop has been so helpful because it has been able to bring various policy makers and different NGOs to discuss issues concerning urban water tariffs, policies as well as what we need to know for our future when it comes to water. It has addressed how issues of scarcity, policies and coordination can pave way for how we can work together to solve water issues”, Kasimire Susan a lead engineer from Water Mission Uganda said.
“I am glad to have participated in this workshop because it has opened my brain to see how the academia is fully involved in championing cause towards impactful research to help society. My main take home message is how we can build partnerships with the academia, private sector and government and conduct innovative policy research that can be impactful to the communities that we serve. This is a step in the right direction because it will improve coordination among all actors”, James Mumbere from Uganda Water and Sanitation Network said.
Kizza Denis Benkya is a student of the Master of Science in Agriculture and Applied Economics. He said:
“It has given me insight on how government and the private sector can amend policies to do with water and environmental conservation. For us to have safe water supply in our country, we need a synergy of efforts with government taking lead and joined by non-governmental organizations and individuals who use water.”
The two-week training programme aims to equip government officers with practical skills to assess project viability, manage investment risks and ensure public resources deliver value for money.
The Public Investment Management Centre of Excellence (PIM CoE) is strengthening the capacity of government officers to undertake financial appraisal and risk analysis of public investment projects through a two-week training programme designed to improve the quality of project preparation, appraisal and decision-making in Uganda.
The training, which started in Fort Portal on October 19, 2026, brought together participants from various government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), alongside facilitators from Makerere University, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Cambridge Resources International (CRI), the National Planning Authority and the Uganda Development Bank.
Officially opening the training on behalf of the Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Treasury, Ms Esther Ayebare, Acting Assistant Commissioner in the Project Analysis and Public Investment Department of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, emphasised the importance of rigorous project appraisal in strengthening Uganda’s public investment management system.
She noted that projects admitted into the public investment plan must be aligned with national priorities, technically sound, financially viable and capable of delivering value for money.
“Government must be able to compare investment alternatives and ensure that only viable projects proceed through the public investment process,” she emphasised.
Ms Ayebare explained that sound appraisal enables government to make informed investment decisions, maximise returns on public expenditure and ensure that limited public resources are directed towards projects with the greatest potential to deliver development outcomes.
Building practical skills for better investment decisions
The training builds on the Public Investment Management course conducted in June, which introduced participants to Uganda’s public investment management framework, including project conceptualisation, stakeholder analysis, project costing, implementation action plans, the Integrated Bank of Projects, and monitoring and evaluation of public investment reforms.
The current programme advances this foundation by equipping participants with technical competencies in financial appraisal, financial modelling and risk analysis.
Participants will explore integrated investment appraisal, alternative investment criteria, cash-flow statements, inflation and exchange-rate movements, asset valuation, project financing, project scale and timing, risk-sharing arrangements and cost-effectiveness analysis.
Through practical exercises and case studies, participants will apply these concepts to investment scenarios in sectors such as roads, health, education and water. The programme will also examine how climate change, social considerations and other risks can be integrated into project preparation and appraisal.
Ms Ayebare encouraged participants to engage actively with the facilitators, question the practical application of the tools and consider how the skills acquired could improve investment decisions within their respective institutions.
She also reminded participants that the programme includes an examination and that certification requires more than attendance. Participants are expected to demonstrate an understanding of the concepts and acquire practical skills that they can apply in their work.
Reducing dependence on externally prepared studies
A key objective of the training is to strengthen the ability of government institutions to undertake high-quality project appraisal studies using their own technical teams.
Ms Ayebare observed that many studies submitted to the Development Committee have traditionally been prepared by external consultants, often at considerable cost. Building the capacity of public officers to conduct these studies independently can help institutions strengthen their technical expertise and improve the quality of project proposals presented for consideration.
She urged participants to take full advantage of the facilitators’ expertise and return to their institutions equipped to undertake sound financial appraisals and provide evidence-based advice to decision-makers.
She further emphasised that project approval requires thorough preparation, analysis and justification, rather than simply identifying available funding and proposing a project to utilise it.
Strengthening public investment management through capacity development
In his remarks, Prof. Edward Bbaale, Director of the PIM CoE, thanked the Ministry of Finance for its financial support and for identifying participants from government institutions. He also recognised the contributions of the facilitators and partner institutions in delivering the programme.
Prof. Bbaale noted that the Centre’s work extends beyond training to include research and advisory services aimed at improving public investment management practices. He encouraged continued collaboration with government institutions and other partners to advance research, knowledge sharing and capacity development.
Speaking during the training, Dr John Sseruyange, Manager of the PIM CoE, highlighted the importance of commitment, active participation and punctuality throughout the programme. He encouraged participants to engage with the facilitators, ask questions and apply the knowledge gained to the projects they support.
Dr Sseruyange also acknowledged the Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, for financing the training, and appreciated Cambridge Resources International for its continued support towards improving public investment preparation and analysis in Uganda.
The training reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen Uganda’s public investment management system by equipping public officers with the knowledge and practical competencies needed to assess projects rigorously, identify potential risks and make informed investment decisions.
By developing in-house expertise across government institutions, the programme seeks to contribute to better-prepared projects, more efficient use of public resources and improved delivery of Uganda’s development priorities.
Business & Management
Makerere University Signs MoU with World Association of Noonomy: Sets pace for the African Centre of Excellence
By Ritah Namisango and Monica Meeme
Makerere University has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the World Association of Noonomy, setting the pace for academic collaboration, research and the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Noonomy in Africa.
On behalf of Makerere University, the MoU was signed by Professor Sarah Ssali, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), during the World Congress on Noonomy held in Rome, Italy, from 16th-19th September 2026, paving the way for the establishment of a dedicated institute of Excellence for Noonomy at College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS).
Uganda was the only African country represented at the World Congress on Noonomy, with a Makerere University delegation including Prof. Sarah Ssali-Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Prof. Edward Bbaale-Principal College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Dr Peter Babyenda-Lecturer at the School of Economics and Policy Engagement Coordinator, College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), and Mr. Tonny Mayambala Sebbaggala, a Ugandan Economist based in Russia.
Commenting on the development, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe said, “By signing this MoU, the African Centre for Noonomy has been established at Makerere University. This adds to the growing number of African continental research centres that are coordinated by Makerere University. Makerere is clearly a leader on the Continent.”
The MoU signed on 19th September 2026 in Rome-Italy, builds on the inaugural conference on Noonomy, held in Uganda on 20th August 2026 at Makerere University under the theme, “The Theory of Noonomy and its Role in Resolving Modernity Issues: Pathways to Sustainable Social and Economic Transformation.”
At the Global Congress of the World Association of Noonomy, the scholars from Makerere University delivered three (3) presentations focusing on Noonomy and development challenges in East Africa, the transition from informal to formal employment, and the role of universities in advancing Noonomy.
About the Theory
The Theory of Noonomy is an emerging theoretical approach developed by Professor Sergey Bodrunov, Director of the S.Y. Witte Institute, which examines the changing relationship between knowledge, technology, production and human development. The theory places emphasis on knowledge and human potential as important drivers of development, while highlighting humanistic values and solidarity in shaping economic and social progress.
Advancing Alternative Economic Thought in Africa
Speaking at the Annual gathering in Rome, Prof. Sarah Ssali described Makerere University’s partnership as a great honour, highlighting the importance of creating space for broader theoretical perspectives on political economy and the global economy.
Reflecting on the evolution of political science and political economy studies, Prof. Ssali noted that following the era of Glasnost and Perestroika, free-market ideology and neoliberalism became increasingly dominant in global economic thinking.
“This dominance created a need for scholars to critically examine both the opportunities and limitations of market-based approaches,” she said.
She welcomed the opportunity to explore alternative ways of understanding the world, including not only the material relations of production, but also the material relations of consumption.
Prof. Ssali also acknowledged the Witte Institute for initiating the initiative and for choosing Makerere University as a key partner on the African continent.
She said Makerere University plans to establish a dedicated centre focused on the emerging area of study, with the institution aiming to launch the centre in February 2027.
“We hope the centre will become a leading African platform for research, teaching and dialogue on these issues,” she asserted.
Prof. Ssali noted that the ideas emerging from the Kampala meeting (held on 20th August 2026) are already being incorporated into Makerere University’s theoretical classes, with plans to substantially expand the initiative following the establishment of the centre of excellence.
She reaffirmed Makerere University’s commitment to the partnership and to expanding scholarly engagement on alternative approaches to political economy.
Call for Growth that Advances Social Welfare
Delivering the presentation titled: “The Role of Noonomy in Addressing Development Challenges in East Africa,” Prof. Edward Bbaale, Principal of the Makerere University College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), explored the potential of Noonomy as an alternative framework for understanding and addressing persistent development challenges in East Africa.
Prof. Bbaale noted that the approach contributes to emerging academic discussions on how economic systems can better connect economic growth with social wellbeing and inclusive development outcomes in the region.
“The study contributes to emerging academic discussions on how economic systems can better link economic growth with social wellbeing and inclusive development outcomes in the region,” he said.
The paper was co-authored with Dr Peter Babyenda and formed part of the scholarly contributions presented at the World Congress on Noonomy in Rome, Italy.
Prioritizing Human-Centred Development
Dr Peter Babyenda said Makerere University’s participation in the World Congress on Noonomy in Rome marked an important step in the University’s international engagement with the Theory of Noonomy.
“The engagement paves the way for establishing a Centre of Excellence for Noonomy at the School of Economics, under the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS),” he stated.
Dr Babyenda explained that the Theory of Noonomy places human welfare at the centre of development, arguing that development should be assessed not only through productivity and infrastructure, but also by how it improves people’s wellbeing.
He said consumption, knowledge transfer and solidarity are important considerations, including in the application of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence.
Dr Babyenda revealed that Uganda has been offered an opportunity to host an upcoming World Congress on Noonomy, which he said could bring together participants from more than 55 countries and create opportunities for academic exchange, industry engagement and international visibility for Uganda.
He called upon the academia and industry to collaborate with Makerere University in advancing its engagement with the emerging field.
The Signing of the MoU at the Global Congress of the World Association of Noonomy marks a milestone in Makerere University’s efforts to contribute to international scholarly discussions on alternative approaches to understanding economic systems and development.
-
Humanities & Social Sciences1 week agoFrench Embassy Presents Four Makerere Scholars with Academic Palms
-
General2 weeks agoMakerere Hosts EU Uganda Research and Study Fair
-
Health2 weeks agoMakerere Public Health Showcases EU Funded Research
-
General1 week agoJob Opportunities: NETOMA Study
-
General1 week agoMakerere University and Xiangtan University Advance Strategic Partnership in Chemical Engineering