Business & Management
Mak Innovation Hub moves to promote PWDs’ innovative skills
Makerere University has launched plans to promote persons with disabilities (PWDs) with special skills in Kampala Metropolitan area.
The UGX 45,797,244 initiative is being funded by the Royal Academy of Engineering, to improve their daily incomes as well as elevate their living standards.
While commissioning the needs assessment campaign at Makerere University on Friday 30th June 2023, Ms. Patience Kaitesi, Rehabilitation Officer at the Ministry of Gender and Social Justice said with this project, there will be harnessing of hidden talents and skills for PWDs and the goal is to help their product penetrate the market.
“I am happy that Makerere is embracing innovations for people with disabilities. Let’s appreciate what PWDs do and develop them in their respective innovations.”
She asked the innovators to provide tremendous support in what the disabled may need. “Move with those people and help them to get customers for their products through those apps we are coming up with,” she added.
The project launched under the theme; Leaving no one behind, will be coordinated through district unions and councilors representing PWDs to mobilise all persons with disabilities in Kampala, Wakiso, Mukono and Mpigi, to get to know about the initiative.
Mrs. Winifred Kabumbuli, the Dean of Students at Makerere University, who represented the Vice Chancellor at the launch of the project encouraged the nominated persons with disabilities to seize this opportunity, embrace their talents, and let their innovation shine. “Your contributions have the power to reshape perceptions, break barriers and transform lives. Together, we can create a society that truly values and harnesses the potential of all individuals,” she said.
She said through such research projects, the university endeavours to create an inclusive environment that encourages these talented young minds to think outside the box, push boundaries, and develop ground breaking solutions that address the challenges they face daily.
She appreciated the Royal Academy of Engineering for the support to the project and also thanked the Director of the Innovations Hub, Dr. Cathy Mbidde for the opportunity she has given to the young innovators.
Dr. Mbidde said the project aims at identifying young persons with disabilities engaged in creating innovative business (Products/services), identifying stakeholders that can provide support or opportunities to IYPWDs and also create a platform for IYPWDs to share experiences and tap into opportunities.
Mr. Apollo Muyanja Mbaziira, the Director Private Sector Foundation Uganda, said PWDs have the capacity to do everything provided they are being given support.
“They have the potential because we have seen them engage in politics. We just need to create awareness for them and identify what they need. “
He said plans are underway to ensure all of them (PWDs) get access to digital platforms that can link them to markets. “Social economic empowerment of persons with disabilities is what we all need to reach at,” he said.
In Uganda, 8.5 percent of the population have a disability. Young persons with disabilities face enormous challenges in accessing resources, leaving a decent life and exploiting opportunities. Yet these people have huge unexploited potential of unique talents and skills that drive creativity and innovation.
The Public Investment Management (PIM) Centre of Excellence has commenced a three-day refresher training for members of the Development Committee (DC) of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. The training, which began today in Jinja, aims to enhance the analytical and technical skills of committee members who are tasked with reviewing government projects submitted by various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
The training was today February 19, 2025, officially opened by Dr. Hennery Ssebukeera, who represented the Director of the Budget Directorate. In his opening remarks, Dr. Ssebukeera emphasized the importance of the refresher course in enabling the Development Committee to effectively conduct quality reviews and fulfill its mandate as a key gatekeeper of the Public Investment Plan. He noted that the training would improve the participants’ ability to appraise and implement public investments in line with the Public Investment Management System (PIMS) framework.
Speaking at the same event, Prof. Ibrahim Mike Okumu, representing the Centre Director, Prof. Edward Bbaale, expressed the Centre’s gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to Uganda’s PIM cycle. He highlighted the importance of the training in harmonizing the relationship between the MDAs that draft project proposals and the analysts who review them. Prof. Okumu reiterated the Centre’s commitment to building the capacity of government officials in Public Investment Management, thereby supporting the country’s development aspirations.
The need for this training was identified during the Development Committee retreat held in 2024, which revealed limited capacity among DC members in project appraisal, specifically in reviewing prefeasibility and feasibility reports, Dr Ssebukeera noted. In response, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, in collaboration with the PIM Centre of Excellence, organized this refresher course to strengthen the participants’ technical and analytical skills.
DC is a statutory committee of government that evaluates the viability of public investment projects. Its statutory composition includes: Office of the President, Office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, National Planning Authority, Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA), Office of the Solicitor General, Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development, National Environment Management Authority, Equal Opportunities Commission, Ministry or Work and Transport, Ministry of Water and Environment, Public Private Partnership Unit. The PIM Center of Excellence was recently admitted to the Development Committee as a non-voting member.
The training will cover a wide range of topics, including the role of PIMS in the country’s development goals, the logical flow of project profiles, costing, and the interpretation of interconnections between prefeasibility/feasibility reports and financial models. Additionally, participants will explore the role of public-private partnerships in national development.
Dr. Ssebukeera encouraged participants to actively engage in discussions, share their expertise, and apply the knowledge gained from the training. He noted that this engagement would empower the Development Committee to effectively perform its role in reviewing and approving public investment projects, ensuring they align with national priorities and deliver value for money.
The Public Investment Management Centre of Excellence, established by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development in partnership with Makerere University School of Economics, continues to play a pivotal role in building the capacity of MDAs in managing public investments. To date, the Centre has trained over 300 officers and produced several research papers, reflecting its commitment to enhancing public investment management in Uganda.
The training in Jinja is expected to enhance the participants’ capacity to effectively review government projects, thus supporting the effective implementation of Uganda’s Public Investment Plan.
Business & Management
Somali Officials Complete Executive Training in Infrastructure Asset Management at CoBAMS
Six Somali government officials have successfully completed a three-day Executive Training in Infrastructure Asset Management, held at Makerere University’s Public Investment Management Centre of Excellence (PIM CoE). The training, funded by the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), took place from January 27 to 29, 2025, and aimed to enhance regional capacity in infrastructure planning and management.
The training brought together senior civil servants and policymakers from Somalia, equipping them with practical knowledge and strategies for sustainable infrastructure asset management. It also fostered valuable cross-border collaboration, facilitated by UNCDF Uganda, which played a crucial role in connecting Makerere University with the Government of Somalia.
The program was delivered by experienced faculty from Makerere University’s College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), alongside experts from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED) and the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA). A special session was also led by the Makerere University Bursar, offering practical insights into financial management in infrastructure projects.
Speaking at the opening of the training, Mr. Ncube Mkhululi, the Regional Technical Advisor for UNCDF emphasized the importance of infrastructure asset management in driving sustainable economic growth. He highlighted UNCDF’s commitment to supporting capacity-building initiatives in developing economies, noting that effective infrastructure planning and management are critical to national development. He also expressed confidence in Makerere University’s expertise in delivering high-impact executive training programs for government officials.
During the closing ceremony, Prof. Bbaale Edward, the Principal of the College of Business and Management Sciences expressed gratitude to all partners, including UNCDF, Makerere University management, and the PIM CoE faculty, for their commitment to making the training a success. He emphasized Makerere University’s ongoing efforts to internationalize its research-led agenda, positioning itself as a hub for regional knowledge exchange.
UNCDF Program Manager, Mr. Joel Mundua, the commended the participants for their dedication and encouraged them to share the acquired knowledge with fellow officials in Somalia. This was reaffirmed by one of the participants, who pledged to apply and disseminate the learnings within their respective departments.
Mr. Sunday Denis Aliti, the Program Officer at UNCDF highlighted the importance of ensuring that infrastructure asset management strategies are practical, adaptable, and aligned with national development goals. He commended Makerere University for its leadership in knowledge transfer and regional training and encouraged continued collaboration between universities, governments, and international development partners to strengthen institutional capacity.
Dr. John Sseruyange, Manager of the PIM CoE, applauded both the participants and the expert trainers who contributed to the program. He reiterated the Centre’s commitment to advancing infrastructure asset management through continued training and collaboration with regional stakeholders.
As the training concluded, participants departed with valuable insights and practical tools to improve infrastructure management in Somalia and beyond. The success of this initiative highlights Makerere University’s role as a leading institution in public investment management, fostering capacity-building efforts that drive sustainable development across Africa.
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