Business & Management
Uganda’s IGE Cohort 2022 Graduates: New IGE Program (2023-2027) Launched
Uganda’s pioneer cohort of the Inclusive Green Economy (IGE 2022) has graduated with Certificates of Achievement and new IGE five year program (2023-2027) officially launched at Makerere University.
The ceremony organised by the Environment for Development Initiative (EfD-Mak Centre) was held on 5th April 2023 and presided over by the University Vice Chancellor. It was graced by the EfDs Global hub IGE program Lead and Co-leader Prof. Anders Ekbom and Emily Caesar, the EfD Advisory Board Chair, Prof. Umar Kakumba, the Principal College of Business and Management Sciences represented by Dr. Yawe Bruno.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Finance and Administration Eng. Prof. Henry Alinaitwe launched the new IGE Phase and awarded certificates of Achievement to the IGE 2022 fellows on behalf of the Vice Chancellor.
Prof. Alinaitwe appreciated the Swedish IGE program coordinators, the Swedish government and the tax payer for the commitment and support towards the program as well as the human capacity building, research and infrastructure development on the continent.
He observed that environmental degradation and climate change are common and eminent resulting from unsustainable human and economic activities and the ever the ever increasing population.
“The Inclusive Green Economy program is definitely for all of us. As a university, it gives us the opportunity to interact with various stakeholders, policy makers key ministries and it means, we already have some key contacts as extra resources. As a university, we want to be seen to be impacting society “
Alinaitwe implored the EfD-Mak Centre and IGE fellows to collaborate with the Economic Policy Research Centre to conduct research in environmental, economic and agricultural matters among others.
The Leader of the IGE program at the EfD Global hub at the University of Gothenburg Sweden Prof. Anders Ekbong said the program collaborates with the EfD Centres across the globe to support and build capacity in government ministries and agencies.
The EfD contributes to more effective environmental management to policy relevant research capacity development and policy engagement and the IGE is part of this.
In 2023 and beyond, Anders said EfD and IGE will jointly focus on sustainable energy transitions and interdisciplinary collaboration.
“An Inclusive Green Economy is an economic development that improves human being and social equity while significantly reducing environmental risk and ecological scarcities. The program strives to avoid economic growth that is attained at the expense of the environment and includes the aspect of inclusion such as social acceptance, public involvement in planning, decision making and follow up”.
IGE is a capacity building program for senior public servants in East Africa and economic policy instruments to achieve green transitions. Other parts of EfD focus on academic capacity building while the IGE is in this, it translates research into policy and practice, bridging gaps between research and policy”. Anders explained
He said, during the two years, the IGE program covered 5 countries and 55 civil servants have been enrolled constituting the IGE Alumni/fellows.
The program according to Anders has received 7.5 million dollars to implement the second phase of a slightly modified IGE program to accelerate transition towards inclusive green economy, develop skills and increase use of evidence based policy making and to build a community of practice on IGE to improve collaboration between government organisations, sector stakeholders and the academia.
The EfD-Mak Board Chairman Prof. Umar Kakumba said the university is delighted to have this strategic partnership that enabled the university join the global network of environmental economists to establish the Centre as one of the hubs, expanding opportunities of pursuing strategic partnership.
“The launch of the IGE for the next five years attest to the fact that the preliminary phase has been successful in a way of meeting the goals that were set and it is an affirmation on our part that Makerere continuous to be a university for the region and the university that is seeking the North-South partnership to create interventions that can address emerging problems related to environment”, Kakumba said.
The new IGE phase according to the board chair comes on the heels of capacity building that has taken place where the university has had the policy makers, governments and nongovernmental agencies spread across and where the training has come in handy of supporting the mission of training and capacity building and human capital development of the country.
Kakumba underscored the importance of training people in policy as important
“Policy remains key without which a country may not succeed even with resource because they may be wasted. Policy must provide a pivot around which the entire operations rotate and policy must guide action and ensure that goals and objectives of any institution or project are achieved.
Representing the Principal CoBAMS, Dr. Yawe Bruno congratulated the fellows upon successfully completing the program. He said the activities executed by the EfD-Mak Centre speak to the University and college strategic objectives, the national development plan as well as the sustainable development goals.
“It is encouraging to learn that Sida has agreed to fund the new IGE phase for which we congratulate the IGE team lead. I appreciate the hard work of your team. The college appreciates the leadership of the EfD-Mak Centre for coordinating the IGE activities.
The Centre is a special kind of undertaking because its leadership is of hybrid nature bringing two colleges together and following that, we have joint academic programs”, The Principal appreciated.
The Director EfD-Mak Centre Prof. Edward Bbaale said, Makerere University has had a long-term collaboration with Sida particularly through the university of Gothenburg including training PhD candidates specialising in environmental economics with the objective of ensuring that candidates come back home and participate in policy reviews, formulation and advising government in the area of environmental economics.
Later Bbaale said, it was realised that the candidates lacked a platform to engage with government and undertake several activities related to policy engagement and advise to government and hence the University of Gothenburg sought to create an institutional platform where research and engagement takes place leading to the birth of the EfD-Mak Centre – one of the 14 others across the world.
“I want to give credit to the institutional framework established at Makerere in that when Dr. Anders and colleagues came up with the concept of Inclusive Green Economy, there was an established platform to leverage.The Inclusive Green Economy is being implemented through the EfD-Mak Centre”. Bbaale said
Both the EfD and IGE operated as sister interventions sponsored by Sida from the University of Gothenburg. Within the two years implementation of the IGE, senior civil servants have been trained and because of the synergies of the IGE and EfD, the two beginning 2023 merged into one mega program to create more impact in green growth and environmental sustainability.
“The ingenuity and hard work of our leads in the University of Gothenburg and Sida agreed to sponsor another phase for five years where we are going to train government officials at senior level and uniquely we agreed as a team to recruit only five per year because the hands-on and other closely monitored activities that take place during the training”, Bbaale added.
The participants are selected by heads of government ministries who recommend participants on the program. Through this program Bbaale said, both the visibility of the university and connection to other partners have improved.
IGE Graduands speak out
The graduating IGE fellows applauded the initiative as enriching
“We have been having knowledge on green economy but the inclusive bit has been missing. IGE program is helping us to make green economy inclusive because as we transition, we want programs, projects and investments which reconcile environment and economic development. The inclusive component is enabling us to have a win-win situation by bringing in the would-be losers for the green economy among the beneficiaries”, Aaron Werikhe from the National Planning Authority.
“The course is very timely for us particularly in two ways; It is going to enable previous participants form a community of practice that is going to connect the dots between what has been researched and what we are going to practice”, Andrew Masaba from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.
“As a city, we are struggling with issues of climate change, environment, waste, dust in the city and the increasing city population and the growing economy. This program has been very useful in helping us to learn the policy instruments that we can use in addressing environmental problems in the city, developing strategies and how to address climate change issues but also make economic growth of the city sustainable without affecting the environment.
So, we are developing a number of projects around this to make the city better. I thank the organisers, it has been a very good program and I pray that many other people benefit from it”, Robert Kyukyu Ag. Director Strategic Management and Business Development at Kampala Capital City Authority.
Courtesy Call on the Vice Chancellor
Prior to the launch of the new five year IGE program (2023-2027) and IGE 2022 cohort graduation ceremony, the IGE Lead team from the EfD Global Hub paid a courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe in his office in the Frank Kalimuzo Central Teaching Facility.
Business & Management
Brewing Innovation: 9th Annual Youth Expo showcases enterprises in Uganda’s coffee value chain
By Ritah Namisango and Monica Meeme
On 17th October 2025, the Makerere University Freedom Square was a beehive of activity as over 600 students from the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) participated in the 9th Annual Innovation and Youth Expo.
Organized by the Makerere University Entrepreneurship and Outreach Centre, the 2025 Innovation and Youth Expo, focused on Uganda’s most strategic Agricultural sector – COFFEE.
Under the theme, Brewing Prosperity: Youth Entrepreneurship in Uganda’s Coffee Value Chain, student entrepreneurs exhibited more than 300 innovations including youth coffee brands, brewing demonstrations, agri-tech prototypes, live cupping sessions, among others.
The Youth Expo focused on amplifying youth-led innovations across the entire coffee value chain—from farm to cup, providing a hands-on, interactive platform for young entrepreneurs to exhibit their products, prototypes, and business ideas, while engaging directly with industry stakeholders.
By placing the youth at the center of the value chain, the Youth Expo demonstrated the untapped potential of innovation, creativity, and enterprise among Uganda’s next generation of entrepreneurs.
Student innovations for real-world impact:
The Director of the Makerere University Entrepreneurship and Outreach Centre, Dr. Sarah Bimbona, urged students to view their innovations not just as academic projects, but as the starting point for real-world impact.
“These innovations should not just end here or be seen as projects for marks. Continue nurturing those dreams, take them further, and make them a reality,” she advised.
She recognized the critical role of faculty and mentors, specifically appreciating them for their tireless support in guiding students through their innovation undertakings.
Dr. Bimbona emphasized the importance of linking academic learning with practical enterprise, highlighting that student-led innovations have the potential to create meaningful economic and social change.
Students encouraged to embrace entrepreneurship:
The Dean, School of Business, Associate Professor Godfrey Akileng specified that entrepreneurship is one of the flagship initiatives of the College of Business and Management Sciences. He encouraged the students to seize the moment. “This is your opportunity to showcase your innovations, to interact with industry players, and to change your mindset from job-seekers to job creation,” he said. “Let the entrepreneurship Expo awaken a new spirit in you-one that says-yes, I can make it.”
Associate Professor Akileng cited the story of Bill Gates as an example of what determination and innovation can achieve, reminding the students that greatness often starts from simple beginnings. “There is no reason we cannot build something extraordinary from coffee and other local products,” he stated, emphasizing the value of entrepreneurship in national transformation.
The Dean, School of Business, expressed deep appreciation to the industry partners for their collaboration and generosity. “You have invested time, knowledge and financial support to be here. Thank you for supporting the Entrepreneurship Congress and Expo,” he remarked.
BRAC Uganda participates in the Expo:
The Communications Officer of BRAC Uganda, Ms. Barbra Ampaire, stressed that BRAC aims to equip youth with the tools and knowledge to discover and maximize their potential.
“We have supported thousands of youth through tailored programs in areas such as tailoring, livestock farming, agribusiness, financial literacy, and value addition. These initiatives are supported not just with training, but also with seed capital, equipment, and ongoing mentorship,” she said.
Ms. Ampaire noted that Makerere University, being a hub for students and young innovators, aligns perfectly with BRAC’s focus on empowering youth while they are still developing their ideas and ambitions.
A case for domestic consumption and local processing:
One of the participants from the BRAC Scholar Transition Fund, Mr. Godwin Birungi, emphasized the need for domestic consumption and local processing, highlighting that exporting raw coffee reduces employment opportunities and stunts economic growth.
“When we consume and process our coffee locally, we not only improve public health, but also create jobs and stimulate our economy.”
He encouraged young entrepreneurs to embrace patience, maintain consistency in their efforts, and stay focused on their goals, emphasizing that building a successful and sustainable business is a gradual process that requires dedication and resilience.
“Building a sustainable business takes time. Many successful entrepreneurs spent over a decade before making a profit. Find your passion, refine your strategy, and stay the course.” he said.
Student entrepreneurs speak out:
The Marketing Manager of Victory Cakes students’ enterprise, Ms. Keziah Nasenga, explained that the team offers two main product variations including coffee cupcakes with icing and those without, catering to different customer preferences.
She noted that the cupcakes are crafted using brewed coffee mixed with hot water, then blended with traditional baking ingredients such as flour, vanilla, and other flavor-enhancing components.
A student from the Ring Hair Stimulator group, Ms. Martha Alwe, said their product is a premium hair care solution designed to promote healthy hair growth, prevent breakage and hair loss in women, and enhance beard growth in men through a specialized beard oil.
“The full product line includes beard growth oil, hair shock treatment, hair spray, leave-in conditioner, and hair growth shampoo each carefully developed to address a wide range of hair care needs with quality and effectiveness,” she said.
The Marketing Manager of the team of Coffee Cupcake, Ms. Catherine Nasaazi, explained that the shampoo is enriched with sodium benzoate, tea tree oil, and other ingredients.
Precursor to the Youth Expo:
The 3rd Uganda Entrepreneurship Congress held on 16th October 2025 at Makerere University Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium, provided a perfect transition into the 9th Annual Makerere University Youth Expo held on 17th October 2025 at the Freedom Square.
During the Uganda Entrepreneurship Congress, students listened to lived experiences and case presentations from young, mid-level and senior entrepreneurs. The panelists who discussed topics on Market Readiness, Value Addition and Story Telling, as well as, Financing the Future, enlightened the students and upcoming entrepreneurs to creating impact, access to markets and capital, and breaking the barriers in a competitive world.
The students gained valuable knowledge from the Chief Guest-Mr. Odrek Rwabwogo, Chair of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development, and the Keynote Speaker- Mr. Moses Nyabila, CEO of aBi Development Ltd.
Mr. Rwabwogo challenged the young entrepreneurs to think beyond Uganda’s borders, when he highlighted that true entrepreneurship lies in producing goods that can compete on the international market.
“When you build a business that can sell in another person’s market, you are a hero or heroine because what you have done is disrupting the status quo, which praises imports over exports. In this country, for instance in Kikuubo business area, you hear statements such as my container is about to reach Uganda, and not my container is leaving the yard in Uganda and is taking avocado to Spain or another country. I want the language to change.”
Partners of the Uganda Entrepreneurship Congress and Youth Expo: Makerere University (Mak), Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), National Coffee Research Initiative (NaCORI), BRAC Uganda, Tooke, Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, Vision Group, Mountain Harvest, Pepsi, Rainforest Alliance, Sumz, and the Banana Industrial Research & Development Centre.
Writers: Ritah Namisango, Principal Communication Officer at Makerere University & Monica Meeme, a student of Bachelor of Journalism and Communication at Makerere University.
Business & Management
Makerere University Young Entrepreneurs urged to prioritize value addition to enhance their innovation
![[L-R] Dr.Godfrey Akileng - Dean School of Business, Prof. Sarah N. Ssali - Ag. Vice Chancellor, Chief Guest - Mr. Odrek Rwabwogo, and Gordon Katwirenabo-Assistant Commissioner, Quality Assurance and Value Addition, MAAIF at the Congress.](https://news.mak.ac.ug/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Entreprenuership-Congress-2025.jpg)
Young entrepreneurs from Makerere University have been urged to focus on value addition, quality and branding if their innovations are to grow into sustainable businesses in the country.
The call was made by several speakers during the opening of the two-day Uganda Entrepreneurship Congress and Youth Expo (16th to 17th October 2025) hosted by Makerere University College of Business and Management Sciences, under the theme, Brewing Prosperity: Youth Entrepreneurship in Uganda’s Coffee Value Chain.
The annual event serves as a national platform for youth, entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and private sector leaders to unlock youth-driven innovation.
The entrepreneurship congress and expo features over 600 students from the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) showcasing more than 300 innovations, with a spotlight on the coffee sector. The expo is among the several initiatives that the University has launched to unlock the entrepreneurship potential of students and youth in Uganda.
According to Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, the move was motivated by the high levels of youth unemployment in the country, which currently stands at 16.1 percent for those aged 18 to 30 (Uganda Bureau of Statistics, 2024).
Addressing the participants during the Entrepreneurship Congress, the Chief Guest-Mr. Odrek Rwabwogo, Chair of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development, rallied students and youth to embrace entrepreneurship.
“Education can come from strange places. Everyone has gifts, talents, abilities and resources to utilize. In a country with many unmet needs, entrepreneurship is about what you change, he said.
Mr. Rwabwogo stressed the value of local innovation. “Not everything can be commercialised especially in a country that imports 90% of what it consumes. Identify needs that outsiders will never cater for-our language, culture, and food. Those are unique strengths, he remarked.
Mr. Rwabwogo challenged the young entrepreneurs to think beyond Uganda’s borders, when he highlighted that true entrepreneurship lies in producing goods that can compete on the international market.
“When you build a business that can sell in another person’s market, you are a hero or heroine because what you have done is disrupting the status quo, which praises import. In this country, for instance in Kikuubo business area, you hear statements such as my container is about to reach Uganda, and not my container is leaving the yard in Uganda and is taking Ovocado to Spain or another country. I want the language to change.”
Representing the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University – Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Professor Sarah Ssali noted that the expo comes at a time when youth unemployment stands at 16.1 percent, which informs the university’s move to challenge this growing reality.
“I am glad to note that Makerere University continues to champion innovations and turning graduates from job seekers into job creators, and champions of societal transformation. The expo is Makerere’s attempt to strategically locate itself in the conversation around coffee being the biggest export earner in the country,” she said.
Statistics indicate that Uganda exported 667,037 kilograms of coffee worth US$162.36 million, highlighting the sector’s importance to the economy and its role as a key foreign exchange earner. Despite this, most youth are excluded from high-value segments of the coffee value chain, such as processing, branding, and export, often remaining confined to low-income farm labor.
According to Professor Ssali, this disconnect represents both a critical risk and an unprecedented opportunity. The expo, therefore, serves as a national platform for youth, entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and private sector leaders to unlock youth-driven innovation across the coffee value chain, from climate-smart farming and agri-tech to processing, branding, and global market access.
She believes that by moving beyond subsistence farming towards ownership, innovation, and high value enterprises, the youth in Uganda can secure a greater share of the global coffee market while catalyzing job creation and sustainable development.
Dr. Sarah Bimbona, Director of the Makerere University Entrepreneurship and Outreach Centre, said several of the innovations on display have the potential to be scaled into viable enterprises. She added that these new ventures would build on the success of over 150 companies that emerged from previous editions of the entrepreneurship expo.
Dr. Bimbona used the golden opportunity to highlight three requests for support. She appealed for support, noting that the Centre has spent nine years nurturing over 1,000 business ideas annually, yet the impact of these ideas remains difficult to measure due to lack of resources for tracer studies. Commending Mr. Rwabwogo for accepting to become the Patron of the Centre, Dr. Bimbona requested him to amplify the Centre’s reach and support for youth, women and broader economic development.
On opening opportunities, the Centre offers guidance to entrepreneurs free of charge and seeks partnerships to connect student ideas with the industry. “We have the expertise and experience. We just need that extra push to remain relevant in the business community,” she stated.
Dr. Bimbona reiterated the transformative power of mentorship that is provided through the Makerere University Entrepreneurship and Outreach Centre.
The Dean, School of Business, Associate Professor Godfrey Akileng specified that entrepreneurship is one of the flagship initiatives of the College of Business and Management Sciences. He encouraged the students to seize the moment. “This is your opportunity to showcase your innovations, to interact with industry players, and to change your mindset from job-seekers to job creation,” he said. “Let the entrepreneurship congress awaken a new spirit in you-one that says-yes, I can make it.”
Associate Professor Akileng cited the story of Bill Gates as an example of what determination and innovation can achieve, reminding the students that greatness often starts from simple beginnings. “There is no reason we cannot build something extraordinary from coffee and other local products,” he stated, emphasizing the value of entrepreneurship in national transformation.
The Dean, School of Business, expressed deep appreciation to the industry partners for their collaboration and generosity. “You have invested time, knowledge and financial support to be here. Thank you for supporting the Entrepreneurship Congress and Expo,” he remarked.
Associate Professor Akileng commended Dr. Sarah Bimbona, and the entire entrepreneurship team namely Dr. Cathy Mbidde, Dr. Kasimu Sendawula, Dr. Hanifah Nantale, Dr. Marion Nanyanzi, and Mr. Luke Muhwezi for nurturing student entrepreneurs at Makerere University.
The entrepreneurship congress featured a keynote address, and two panels focusing on: Market Readiness, Value Addition and Story Telling, as well as, Financing the Future.
The Keynote Speaker, Mr. Moses Nyabila, CEO of aBi Development Ltd, urged the government and private sector to establish an export fund to support young entrepreneurs in starting their businesses.
Mr. Nyabila explained that the fund would help young entrepreneurs launch simple start-ups that have the potential to grow into larger enterprises. The fund, he noted, would not only support production, but also empower entrepreneurs to handle basic packaging and export processes. According to him, such an initiative represents a critical form of value addition.
Mr. Nyabila added that such initiatives would help challenge the current status quo, which prioritizes imports over exports. He used the expo as a platform to call on the government to shift the national mindset toward building Uganda’s presence in the global export market.
During the panel discussions, contributors discussed several steps through which the young entrepreneurs can be equipped with skills that can help them to join the competitive market.
Some of the panelists included: Bob Paul Lusembo-Head of Business Growth, BRAC Uganda Bank, Geoffrey Okidi-Financial Deepening Uganda, Nakabuye Flavia Bwire- Inclusion and Microfinance Specialist, and Sectrine Muganzi-Coffee Farmer and Youth Entrepreneur.
Other panelists included Jackline Arinda Akampwera-CEO Jada Coffee, Gordon Katwirenabo-Assistant Commissioner, Quality Assurance and Value Addition, MAAIF, Edwin Danze- Head of Marketing, Next Media Group, and Godwin Birungi- Founder, Rubungi Enterprises.
The different Speakers acknowledged that while Uganda has no shortage of innovations, gaps in value addition and branding continue to undermine product competitiveness, reinforcing the stereotype that Ugandan products are of poor quality.
One of the panelists, Jackline Arinda Akampwera, CEO of Jada Coffee, noted that branding strongly influences perceptions of quality. In the same development, she argued that limited branding is also largely responsible for the misconception that Ugandan products are substandard.
“We have this perception that when we see a brand on a billboard, it must be of good quality. Branding is therefore central to entrepreneurship,” Arinda said. “In Uganda, there’s limited branding and value addition, which affects the marketability of our products,” she said
Arinda shared that before she joined the coffee business, she realized Uganda had no widely recognized coffee brands, despite being a top coffee producer. This inspired her to create a brand that would appeal even to non-coffee drinkers.
“You don’t have to be a coffee consumer to know coffee brands—just like you don’t have to be a football fan to know who Ronaldo is,” she said. “That’s what branding does. Even if people don’t drink coffee, they should know that Jada Coffee exists. I came in to change the way the market operates.”
She added that this lack of branding also explains the low domestic consumption of coffee. To address this, Arinda began introducing coffee at social functions—events that traditionally only offered juices and sodas—as part of efforts to popularize local coffee consumption.
Gordon Katwirenabo, Assistant Commissioner, QA and Value Addition, MAAIF agreed with Arinda. He stated that the government is very intentional in promoting value addition to the country’s produces.
“Value addition is very prominent in our policy framework. If you produce and get only money for production, then there is no value, and then you cannot achieve the economic importance and transformation that we need in our communities. So, through that were are very intentional in supporting value addition,” he said.
On his part, Godwin Birungi, Founder, Rubungi Enterprises noted that while branding is very important, branding alone is not enough if the products themselves lack quality. He argued that the two—branding and quality, must reinforce each other for a business to thrive.
“I realized that there is a need to be consistent in producing high quality products. The more you produce high quality, the more you lift your brand,” he said
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