Business & Management
Uganda’s IGE Fellows (2023) Inaugurated: -Challenged to Analyse the Underpinnings of Biomass Dependence in Uganda
Uganda’s Inclusive Green Economy (IGE) 2023 Cohort has been inaugurated at Makerere University at a function that was presided over by the Principal College of Business and Management Sciences Associate Prof. Eria Hisali.
The ceremony held on 26th July 2023, was witnessed by the Dean School of Economics Associate Professor, Ibrahim Okumu and the Director EfD-Mak Centre Prof. Edward Bbaale.
This is the second Uganda’s IGE Cohort composed of six fellows that were appointed by the Permanent Secretaries from Government ministries and Agencies in response to the letter from the EfD-Mak centre and the Swedish Ambassador to Uganda.
Two fellows were appointed from each ministry and one agency. They are; Eng. Ssekitoleko Simon Peter (Assistant Commissioner) and Tony Joshua Mwesigwa (Economist) from Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development; Mr. Kandwanaho Jonan ( Senior Planner Chemical Industries) and Kebirunge Elizabeth (Planner, Natural Resources and Environment) from the National Planning Authority; Mr. Paul Byamugisha (Senior Climate Finance Officer) and Ms. Flavia Namagembe (Climate Finance Officer) from the newly established Climate Change Financing Unit , Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.
Presiding over the inauguration, Prof. Eria Hisali welcomed the IGE fellows and thanked them for taking interest in the EfD activities adding that the university looks forward to an enduring relationship.
As part of the inaugural activities, a policy dialogue on, “The Dangers of Biomass Utilisation and Adoption to Renewable Clean Energy in Uganda”, was held.
Reports according to Prof. Hisali suggest that up to 90% of Uganda’s energy is based on utilisation of biomass while in the rural areas, up to 100% of the energy used is from biomass.
Continuing on that path especially certain biomass like charcoal, the Principal urged that is not only unsustainable, but also an existential threat that fits into environmental degradation seen in climate change.
Prof. Hisali also reported that the livelihood for the bulk of Ugandan people derives directly from nature hence, any threat from environment to the climate becomes a big challenge that all must take interest in addressing.
“The question then we should be asking as we discuss biomass is, “Do we all -those in government, civil society and the people in the rural and urban centres understand the dangers of biomass reliance the same way. Or is it rather the case that once you see food on your table, it does not matter what has gone into the preliminary processes?”
Hisali contends that the different stakeholders are at different levels of appreciation of the extent of the problem at hand. He called for the need to harmonise all stakeholder’s appreciation of the problem.
“Once we have the harmonisation, then, we can begin discussing issues of adoption. In the process of building a harmonised understanding, we should also try to find out what is mediating the behaviour that we see because what we see is a behavioural decision making issue. Is it poverty..? because even when we make very good recommendations on adoption of clean and renewable energy in Uganda, without taking first in consideration what is mediating these decision making, then it will be like any other discussion”. He added
He advised colleagues in the EfD-Mak Centre to graduate to preparing background papers that give a proper context and anchor while commissioning studies.
Fellows Challenged to Diagnose and Understand the Underpinnings of Biomass Dependence in Uganda in order offer correct innovative energy options
Hisali informed the IGE fellows that discussion for the day gives them a sense of the challenges ahead and to which they must contribute solutions.
Whereas the fellows will be coming to the university, the Professor warned that the centre will not take an entirely academic approach but rather to have an engagement that is practical and one that speaks to the realities of the challenges seen by all in the environment.
“You are privileged that you are doing practical work and having knowledge of the problems faced in Uganda… be as practical as possible and share your experiences as the only way to understanding the extend of the problem and what is causing it to correctly figure out correct measures to address these problems”, Hisali advised.
The Dean School of Economics Assoc. Prof. Ibrahim Okumu hailed the EfD Mak secretariat for continuing with the research agenda of the Makerere university and sustaining the visibility of university within the space of matters concerning the environment.
“Today we are speaking on an issue of Biomass that is central to the existence to mankind and a threat to livelihood. We have had the loss of forest cover which is a threat to the ecosystem that forests serve”, The Dean noted.
The EfD-Mak centre according to Dr. Okumu is committed to engaging with government through the IGE fellows to speak on matters of debate regarding the environment.
“Our interest in engaging the IGE Fellows is to ensure that we can visibly and with real impact have our foothold into policy space and indeed IGE fellows are our foot soldiers in that policy space.
I hope that through the capacity building that you will pick up through this process will impact your policy engagement”, He said.
Presenting the background paper, the IGE Engagement Specialist Mr. Peter Babyenda said the reliance on biomass energy is a key global challenge toward environmental protection and reversing climate change effects.
Globally, Babyenda said, over 3 billion people rely on biomass energy to meet their energy requirements while in SSA, over 900 million people mainly rely on biomass fuels for cooking.
“In Uganda , over 85 percent of the population uses firewood and 13 percent use charcoal for cooking.
An additional 2.3 million tons of tree biomass is consumed in brick making and by educational institutions, among others”. Mr. Babyenda report.
Please click on the attachment for details on Biomass utilisation in Uganda below:
Business & Management
PIM Centre Awards Certificates to Over 35 Officials Trained in Essentials of Public Investment Management
The Public Investment Management (PIM) Centre of Excellence at Makerere University has awarded certificates to more than 35 public officials who successfully completed a three-day training in the Essentials of Public Investment Management (PIM).
The training, held from September 23rd to 26th, 2025 at the College of Business and Management Sciences, aimed at strengthening the capacity of government officials to effectively identify, prepare, and implement public projects.
The closing ceremony was officiated by Ms. Belinda Bisamaza, who represented the Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Treasury (PS/ST). In her remarks, Ms. Bisamaza commended participants for their commitment, noting that the training had offered a solid foundation in the entire PIM cycle — from project conceptualization and profiling, through monitoring and evaluation (M&E), to the use of the Integrated Bank of Projects (IBP), Environmental and Social Risk Management, and Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).
“With these skills, you can contribute meaningfully to improving the quality of proposals submitted to the IBP, ensure better risk management, and enhance implementation through robust monitoring frameworks,” she said, adding that participants were now better prepared for advanced modules on financial appraisal, risk analysis, and stakeholder engagement.
Representing the PIM Centre, Prof. Eria Hisali highlighted the need for well-prepared projects that directly contribute to economic growth. “We must move away from the practice of developing projects only when funding is required. Instead, we should create a strong bank of quality projects from which government can easily draw,” he said.
The Manager of the PIM Centre, Dr. John Sseruyange, expressed gratitude to the participants and trainers for their dedication. He noted that the facilitators were drawn from Makerere University, the National Planning Authority (NPA), and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED). Dr. Sseruyange also revealed that the Centre would be rolling out further in-depth training modules and creating opportunities for alumni to engage in consultancy and research work. The PIM Centre hosts the training as part of broader efforts by Makerere University, MoFPED, and NPA to strengthen Uganda’s public investment management systems, ensuring value for money, improved service delivery, and sustainable economic development.
Business & Management
PIM Centre Makerere, Graduates Second Cohort of Certificate in Financial Implications – Integrated Regulatory Cost-Benefit Analysis
Jinja, September 5, 2025
Thirty-one government officers from Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) have successfully completed a two-week intensive training in the Certificate of Financial Implications (CFI) – Integrated Regulatory Cost-Benefit Analysis. The certification ceremony was held at the Pearl on the Nile Hotel, Jinja, marking another milestone in Uganda’s efforts to institutionalize evidence-based and fiscally responsible policymaking.
The training, delivered by the Makerere University Public Investment Management (PIM) Centre of Excellence in partnership with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED), and National Planning Authority equipped participants with practical skills to evaluate policy and legislative proposals for their financial, economic, and social implications.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Mr. Paul Mwanja, Commissioner for Infrastructure & Social Services at MoFPED, who represented the Permanent Secretary, commended the officers for their commitment at a time when government institutions are finalizing the Auditor General’s audits, implementing the FY2025/26 budget, rolling out the National Development Plan IV’s tenfold growth strategy, and preparing for the 2026 General Elections.
“Your participation affirms a collective commitment across Government to strengthen the quality, transparency, and credibility of public policymaking in Uganda,” Mr. Mwanja said. He urged graduates to return to their institutions as champions of reform, share their knowledge with colleagues, and drive the change needed in Public Finance Management. He also announced that the next cohort of the training will take place in January 2026.
Prof. Ibrahim Mike Okumu, Dean of the School of Economics at Makerere University, delivered the graduation address, highlighting the certificate’s importance in addressing Uganda’s triple challenge of scale, scarcity, and speed.
“This program does something unique. It teaches you not only to ask whether a policy or project is beneficial, but also whether it is affordable and resilient under real fiscal constraints,” Prof. Okumu noted. He challenged graduates to apply their skills at project, portfolio, and policy levels—ensuring value for money and enhancing public trust in government spending.
He further emphasized that Uganda’s pioneering approach to integrated CFI-CBA positions the country as a leader in Africa and beyond: “You, Uganda’s first CFI-CBA graduates, are now part of a global brain trust. Your work will speak to investors, parliaments, development partners, and above all, the Ugandan people.”
Dr. John Sseruyange, Manager of the PIM Centre of Excellence, expressed appreciation to participants for their active engagement throughout the training and thanked MoFPED and the faculty drawn from Makerere University, the National Planning Authority, Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Energy for their technical support.
The Certificate of Financial Implications – Integrated Regulatory Cost-Benefit Analysis was introduced following the Revised Guidelines for Financial Clearance, effective July 1, 2025. The guidelines require MDAs to prepare their own financial implications statements, subject to rigorous cost-benefit analysis, thereby strengthening linkages between fiscal responsibility and regulatory impact assessments.
With the successful completion of the second cohort, Uganda is steadily building a critical mass of professionals capable of embedding cost-benefit thinking across government, ensuring every shilling delivers maximum impact for citizens.
The Public Investment Management Centre of Excellence (PIM CoE) at Makerere University held its Steering Committee meeting on 4th September 2025 at Mestil Hotel in Kampala. The session, attended by all members, focused on reviewing progress, reflecting on achievements from the past financial year, and charting the way forward for the Centre.
About the PIM Centre of Excellence
The PIM CoE was established in March 2022 at Makerere University’s College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), in partnership with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED). Its purpose is to strengthen Uganda’s public investment management system through training, research, and advisory services.
The Steering Committee plays a critical role in oversight, review, coordination, and advisory functions, guiding the Centre’s work and ensuring that public investment processes align with national development priorities.
Highlights from the Meeting
Speaking at the meeting, Dr. Joseph Muvawala, the Executive Director of the National Planning Authority, praised the October 2024 Annual PIM Conference for expanding perspectives on project design and delivery. He emphasized the importance of shifting from theory to practice in training, advocating for students and officials to engage with real-world projects. He also underscored the Centre’s new autonomy—transitioning from a subvention to a vote—which gives it greater independence but also demands stronger financial accountability. Dr. Muvawala further called for a permanent physical home for the Centre, noting that sufficient resources are available to make this possible and that negotiations with government are underway.
Mr. Ashaba Hannington, Director Budget at MoFPED, shared key achievements from the 2024/25 financial year. He noted that the Annual PIM Conference, organised jointly by MoFPED and the Centre, provided a vital platform for stakeholders to reflect on progress in public investment management.
Mr. Ashaba reaffirmed MoFPED’s commitment to working closely with the Centre to strengthen Uganda’s public investment capacity.
Prof. Eria Hisali, Co–Principal Investigator of the PIM CoE, outlined strategies to increase the Centre’s vibrancy and impact. He emphasized direct project engagement, advisory services, and peer reviews as ways to bridge the gap between theory and practice. Looking ahead, he revealed plans for a Master’s program in Economic and Investment Modelling, a Training of Trainers (ToT) initiative, and deeper practical capacity-building efforts.
Prof. Hisali also noted several successful trainings from the past year, including:
- 46 staff from MDAs trained in Essentials of PIM.
- 59 participants across two cohorts trained in Financial Appraisal and Risk Analysis.
- 25 participants trained in Economic Appraisal and Stakeholder Analysis.
He proposed the introduction of a “trailer feasibility test” to evaluate whether completed projects deliver benefits as projected and to address optimism bias in project planning.
Dr. John Seruyange, Manager of the PIM CoE, highlighted the Centre’s growing regional footprint. Beyond Uganda, six central government officers from Somalia have been trained in Infrastructure Asset Management, generating further interest in advanced training from Somalia, Zimbabwe, and Somaliland. To position itself as a regional hub, the Centre is preparing a prospectus to market its courses across Africa and beyond.
Why It Matters
The Steering Committee reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that the PIM CoE remains a leading think tank and capacity-building hub for government and regional partners. By improving the appraisal, financing, and implementation of public projects, the Centre is strengthening accountability, enhancing service delivery, and contributing to Uganda’s broader development goals.
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