The Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Matia Kasaija, has outlined Uganda’s economic growth prospects through strategic public investments aimed at achieving sustainable development and transforming lives, particularly for the youth. He highlighted this vision during the inaugural Public Investment Management (PIM) Conference, held on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at Makerere University.

“Public investment is clearly the backbone of our nation’s development, particularly in building the infrastructure, human capital, and institutions necessary to elevate Uganda to middle-income status and beyond,” Kasaija remarked. He called for increased investments to propel Uganda’s economy from its current $50 billion in the 2022/2023 financial year to $500 billion over the next 15 years.

The conference, organized under the theme “Navigating the Landscape of Public Investment Management in Uganda: Current Realities and Future Outlook,” underscored the need for partnerships in the investment sector. The Minister emphasized how infrastructural development can catalyze economic growth and create new job opportunities.

“Investments in infrastructure such as roads, energy, and digital connectivity can stimulate economic growth and attract private sector investment, leading to job creation,” Kasaija emphasized.

He also highlighted the importance of integrating public investment management with government welfare programs such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, and small business recovery funds, which offer critical financing for entrepreneurship. The government is committed to enhancing the efficiency of public spending, focusing on a fiscal consolidation strategy to restore fiscal discipline and reduce public debt.

“Fiscal consolidation does not mean cutting back on investment, but rather optimizing spending by prioritizing high-impact projects that directly contribute to economic growth. Our public investment must align with this strategic direction,” Kasaija added.

To maximize the value of government investments, Kasaija called for a public management system capable of delivering inclusive and sustainable socio-economic transformation, with resilience to issues such as climate change and sustainable development goals.

The Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury, Mr. Ramathan Ggoobi, also addressed the conference, focusing on the government’s efforts to improve the quality of projects at their inception. He noted the establishment of a dedicated department of project analysis and public investment within the Ministry of Finance, which oversees the ongoing PIM reform process.

Mr. Ggoobi mentioned that the ministry has developed and disseminated guidelines and standardized manuals for project preparation and appraisal. “Our objective is to build the center’s capacity for research that will inform policy changes in PIM,” he said.

He highlighted the positive impact of these reforms, noting that the quality of projects submitted by ministries and agencies has significantly improved. However, Ggoobi stressed the need for more stringent monitoring, especially regarding the low execution rates of externally funded projects, which continue to face delays.

“Cost and time overruns are common, and projects are often poorly executed, which shortens their lifespan. To address this, we are developing a framework for tracking project implementation, fostering a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement,” Ggoobi revealed.

During the panel discussion, Dr. Joseph Muvawala, Executive Director of the National Planning Authority, advised that the government should focus on constructing the Standard Gauge Railway to ensure that every Ugandan benefits from the infrastructure development. He emphasized that this would be a transformative project for the entire country.

Ms. Barbara Magezi Ndamira, a Senior Public Sector Specialist from the World Bank, pointed out that one of the biggest challenges in Uganda’s PIM is accountability. “The biggest issue for me in the value chain of PIM is accountability. Who is holding the whip to ensure that a five-year project is completed within the set timeframe?” she asked, raising concerns about the lack of stringent oversight mechanisms.

Adding to Ms. Magezi’s concerns, Dr. Asuman Lukwago, Permanent Secretary of the Education Service Commission, suggested that every project should be implemented with a service standard in place, prescribing the timeframes for minor and major audits to ensure sustainability. This, he noted, would help track the progress and quality of project execution.

Dr. Callist Tindimugaya, the Acting Director of Water Resources Management at the Ministry of Water and Environment, emphasized the importance of writing holistic projects that include not only their core functions but also ways in which the public can benefit economically. “We want to explore how a water project can improve household incomes,” he said, highlighting the Ministry’s focus on integrating economic benefits into public projects.

The keynote speaker, Professor Glenn P. Jenkins from Queens University in Canada, shared insights on the current state and future of Uganda’s Public Investment Management System, established in 2016. Jenkins emphasized Uganda’s leadership in Africa in creating a modern PIM system, which integrates financial, economic, and social criteria into public sector decision-making.

“A modern PIM system is more than just investment appraisal—it’s a comprehensive decision-making framework for the public sector,” Prof. Jenkins explained. He also discussed the system’s IT capabilities, which track and capture all project-related data as it progresses.

Makerere University’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, called on all stakeholders to collaborate and develop strategies to address gaps in public sector investments. He urged government officials, academics, development partners, and practitioners to use the conference platform to align strategies, share experiences, and explore new approaches to improve Uganda’s public investment outcomes.

“This platform is an opportunity for us all to come together and develop prudent solutions that will elevate our economy,” Prof. Nawangwe stated.

Prof. Edward Bbaale, Principal of the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) at Makerere, praised the alignment of the conference theme with the mission of Makerere University’s Public Investment Management Centre of Excellence (PIM CoE). The Centre has been at the forefront of providing transformative training and research for key stakeholders in Uganda’s public sector.

“Since its inception, the Centre has focused on building the capacity of Uganda’s public sector to manage public investments effectively and ensure value for money,” Prof. Bbaale said. He noted that over 200 public service officials have been trained in essential areas such as public investment management, financial and risk analysis, project implementation, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E), equipping them with the practical skills needed to enhance project appraisal and evaluation.

In conclusion, the Public Investment Management Conference provided a critical platform for government officials, academics, and development partners to explore strategies for improving the efficiency and impact of Uganda’s public investments. As highlighted by the Minister of Finance and other key speakers, the focus on accountability, fiscal discipline, and inclusive socio-economic transformation is essential for driving the country towards middle-income status. With ongoing reforms and strengthened partnerships, Uganda’s public investment management system holds great potential to elevate the nation’s development trajectory.

Makerere University hosted the launch of the “Safer Campuses Campaign,” aimed at shattering the silence surrounding Gender-Based Violence (GBV) across universities in Uganda.

The initiative is being piloted at Makerere University and its branch campus in Jinja, Ndejje University, and Kampala International University, in partnership with UNESCO.

On 4^th October 2024, more than three universities convened at Makerere University Freedom Square to witness the event, which is a crucial step toward tackling GBV in higher education institutions.

A significant feature of the campaign is the unveiling of the Yamba App, designed to provide students with sexual and reproductive health information, as well as access to professional and peer counseling services.

The project seeks to promote positive health, education, and gender equality outcomes in Uganda’s tertiary institutions by reducing rates of new HIV infections, unintended pregnancies, and gender-based violence.

At Makerere University, the Vice Chancellor, the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate, the Office of the Dean of Students, and the 90^th Students’ Guild through its Ministry of Gender, Ethics and Integrity are maximally involved in championing the Safer Campuses Campaign.

“We (especially we men), must stand firm against Gender Based Violence. We must protect our mothers, sisters, daughters and wives, so that they can be able to more meaningfully contribute to the development of society,” stated the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, while endorsing the publicity efforts for the Safer Campuses Campaign.

The Vice Chancellor was represented at the launch of the Safer Campuses Campaign by the Dean of Students, Mrs. Winfred Kabumbuli, who expressed pride in Makerere’s legacy of promoting gender equality.

She highlighted that Makerere was the first university in sub-Saharan Africa to establish a Department of Women Studies in 1991, a step toward building a more inclusive education system.

“Makerere University has had a history of promoting gender awareness and protection of individuals for a long time ago. When this university started, it was a male institution, but it was realized that one gender cannot build a country, so the motto of this university was intentionally changed from “Let us be men” to “We build for the future,” she said.

“The ‘we’ in our motto is not accidental, and increasingly over the years, this university has worked to make the motto a reality to all who come here. It is a well-known fact that Makerere University was the first to create the Department of Women Studies in 1991 in sub-Saharan Africa. This is important history, it shows that we have worked hard to build the blocks of an all-inclusive education,” she added.

Mrs. Kabumbuli also noted that the university has produced many prominent human rights activists, making Makerere a natural home for those dedicated to the fight against GBV. She referenced notable figures such as Prof. Joy Kwesiga, Prof. Sylvia Tamale, and Prof. Ruth Mukama, who have been at the forefront of human rights and gender equality advocacy.

“Makerere’s desire is to fight for both the rights of boys and girls. There are names on this campus for instance Joy Kwesiga, Sylvia Tamale, Joe Oloka-Onyango, Ruth Mukama among others, renowned for the fight for human rights, politics, and this fight for gender and educational rights,” she said.

“So when I say feel at home and feel inspired to fight and raise awareness of how precious and valuable each human being is, I have a basis and platform,” she remarked.

Dr. Primrose Nakazibwe of Ndejje University shared alarming findings from a recent survey among higher education institutions, which revealed that a significant number of male students believe physical violence against women is acceptable in cases of disagreement. She called for concerted efforts to change these harmful attitudes.

“Almost 90% of the boys in these institutions of higher learning believe that it is okay to beat a woman because it is the right thing. So when they grow up with such attitudes, these boys are going to beat our daughters like chicken thieves. So the efforts to correct this mindset have been amplified in the sixteen days of activism,” she stated.

Mr. Charles Draecabo, the team leader at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) said that Education is a fundamental human right and the cornerstone of sustainable development, peace, and prosperity.

He warned that anything disrupting students’ education such as GBV also threatens broader development goals, and therefore expressed belief that the Safer Campuses Campaign would contribute significantly to reducing these threats.

“Education is not only a fundamental Human right but also the cornerstone of sustainable development, peace and prosperity. Across the globe you know that UNESCO and the UN in general continue to prioritize efforts to address GBV, sexual harassment, and harmful social norms,” he said.

“The focus of Safer Campuses Campaign launch is therefore an integral part of this global agenda as we look to foster an environment where every student regardless of the gender can pursue his or her education free from violence,” he added,

Ms. Angela Nakafeero, the Commissioner for Gender and Women Affairs from the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development said that because of the exposure brought by the Internet and technology, many students have been forced into lifestyles that affect their lives and subsequently impact their education. These include early pregnancies, HIV/AIDS infections, and abortions among others.

Ms Nakafeero rallied stakeholders to form partnerships that ensure that the young people use technology and the Internet for only important things, and avoid getting information that does not add value to their lives. 

Hajji Mukwatampola Muzamiru, Commissioner for Admissions, Scholarships and Students Affairs at the Ministry of Education and Sports, who represented the Minister of State for Higher Education, Hon. John C. Muyingo, underscored the government’s concern about the rising levels of GBV. He revealed that the Safer Campuses Campaign was a timely intervention, particularly in light of research indicating that 25% of female students and nearly 30% of male students believe wife-beating is justifiable.

“Research reports from the O3PLUS project revealed that over 25% of female students and nearly 30% of male students believed that violence such as wife beating is justifiable. While 5.2% have experienced forced sexual activity in their lives and many students lack the critical knowledge and support to make safe and informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health,” he said.

“These statistics are a representation of deeply embedded cultural and social norms that spread violence in our activities. This reality is unacceptable, violence should have no place in our education system where young minds should flourish in safety – free from fear and intimidation,” he added.

On his part, Makerere University Guild President, H.E. Vincent Lubega Nsamba, affirmed students’ commitment to raising awareness about GBV and promoting a culture of respect, dignity, and equality.

“We the students of higher education institutions, shall raise awareness about any form of gender-based violence in our universities, we shall promote a culture of respect, dignity, equality, nonviolence among students, faculty and non-staff, we shall continue educating one another about sexual health,” he said.

“We shall support one another about any form of sexual harassment. We shall establish a confidential accessible reporting mechanism for victims of GBV ensuring that survivors are supported and that their cases are handled sensitively,” he stated.

The Safer Campuses Campaign is a regional campaign with universities from Uganda, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Kenya participating in the implementation of various initiatives/ programmes aimed at fighting against Gender Based Violence.

Makerere University’s School of Statistics and Planning (SSP) recently hosted a three-day workshop on sustainable electronic waste (e-waste) management, led by a team from the East African Community (EAC). The workshop, which is part of a broader initiative to enhance environmental management practices across the East African region, was aimed at retooling university staff on the best practices for handling and disposing of e-waste.

The workshop was officially opened by Prof. James Wokadala, the Deputy Principal of the College of Business and Management Sciences and Dean of the School of Statistics and Planning. In his opening remarks, Prof. Wokadala expressed his gratitude to the EAC team, led by Mr. Dismas Mwikila, for the critical knowledge shared with Makerere University staff. He highlighted the importance of e-waste management, emphasizing that the public needs to be well-informed about the proper ways to dispose of electronic waste.

“E-waste is becoming a growing concern as more electronic devices are being used and discarded. Without proper disposal methods, hazardous substances like lead, mercury, and cadmium, often found in electronic equipment, can cause significant harm to both human health and the environment,” said Prof. Wokadala. He underscored that this training comes at a crucial time, as Uganda and the broader East African region are seeing an increase in the use of electronic devices. He also expressed his hope that similar training workshops would be scaled up to other colleges within the university to ensure comprehensive coverage of this critical issue.

The workshop forms part of the EAC’s Electronic Waste Management Plan (E-Waste MP), which was developed to address the growing challenge of electronic waste across its member states, including Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). According to the EAC’s environmental and social commitment plan, managing e-waste is crucial not only for protecting the environment but also for safeguarding human health. In line with this, the EAC emphasizes the importance of adopting sustainable e-waste management practices, such as recycling and proper disposal, which help to mitigate the harmful effects of toxic materials found in electronic products​

The workshop covered the best practices for the disposal of these items, including recycling and recovery techniques that can be used to extract valuable materials from discarded electronic devices. This ensures that fewer toxic substances are released into the environment, and valuable resources are recovered for reuse.

Prof. Wokadala further appreciated the EAC’s generous support to Makerere University’s School of Statistics and Planning, noting that the school recently received 160 computers, laptops, printers, and other ICT equipment worth $0.5 million from the EAC. This donation is expected to enhance the school’s technological capabilities, further supporting the institution’s mission to provide high-quality education and research in the field of statistics and planning. Additionally, the EAC has provided funding to facilitate staff training in Data Analytics, a critical area for the future of research and decision-making in the digital age.

The Mr. George Magala, from the Ministry of EAC Affairs Uganda, also highlighted the importance of sustainable e-waste management practices not only in educational institutions but also across all sectors of the economy.

Mr. Mwikila explained that e-waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the world, growing at a rate of 3-5% per year. This growth is driven by the increasing use of electronic devices, coupled with their shorter life cycles. He noted that without sustainable e-waste management practices, countries in the East African region risk facing significant environmental and health challenges. Proper e-waste management not only reduces the harmful impacts on the environment but also provides economic opportunities through the recovery of valuable materials such as copper, aluminum, and gold from discarded electronics

The workshop concluded with a call to action for universities and other institutions in Uganda and the wider East African region to adopt sustainable e-waste management practices. The EAC reiterated its commitment to providing technical assistance and capacity-building initiatives to help institutions manage e-waste in a responsible and sustainable manner.

This initiative demonstrates Makerere University’s ongoing efforts to align itself with global best practices in environmental management, further positioning itself as a leader in sustainable development in the region. By equipping its staff with the necessary skills to manage e-waste, the university is taking a proactive step in addressing one of the most pressing environmental challenges of the digital age.

The three-day workshop represents an important milestone in Makerere University’s collaboration with the EAC, and it is expected to have a lasting impact on the university’s ability to manage electronic waste sustainably.