Business & Management
CoBAMS Management meets to discuss College’s strategic direction
Members of the College Establishment and Appointments Committee and the College Administrative Board have taken off time to strategize on how to grow the college. Speaking on October 19 during the two-day retreat, the Principal, Prof. Eria Hisali, shared with the management team some of the ongoing strategic initiatives in the areas of financial sustainability, human capacity development, policy engagements and outreach, quality assurance, institutionalizing seminar series, and partnerships and networks. ´Infrastructure expansion, Quality assurance and systems strengthening.
The Principal said the college had established an endowment fund to support its financial sustainability efforts. He also highlighted the importance of investing in the professional development of staff members to enhance human capacity within the college. Additionally, the Principal emphasized the need for active engagement with relevant policies and stakeholders to promote the college’s outreach and policy influence. Lastly, he emphasized the significance of building strong partnerships and networks with other institutions and organizations to foster collaboration and mutual growth.
Speaking on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Umar Kakumba, commended the college on recent developments and ongoing initiatives in the areas of planned infrastructure expansion, financial sustainability, research, and visibility.
“I understand that the publication record at the College has improved considerably from around 30 in 2014 publications annually to over 130 for the year 2022; and that the proposal to expand and revamp infrastructure has been approved by government,” he said.
He also acknowledged the college’s efforts in achieving financial sustainability, which have allowed for the successful implementation of various research projects. Furthermore, Prof. Umar Kakumba expressed his optimism about the increased visibility of the college, both nationally and internationally, as a result of these developments and initiatives.
I am particularly impressed by attempts to benchmark the academic disciplines at the College with the scope defined by international best practice in addition to initiatives to mainstream quality across the academic, administrate and support functions of the College as a precursor for international accreditation.
He commended the college for seeking to internationalize the courses through international accreditation. He also praised the college for its efforts in aligning its academic disciplines with global standards, which will not only enhance the quality of education but also open up opportunities for students to pursue international careers. Furthermore, he acknowledged the significance of international accreditation in ensuring that the college meets the rigorous standards set by renowned institutions worldwide.
The retreat saw heads of departments share their human resources needs and discuss strategies for attracting and retaining top talent. They emphasized the importance of hiring qualified faculty members who can contribute to the college’s mission of providing a well-rounded education. Additionally, they discussed the need for ongoing professional development opportunities to ensure that faculty members stay updated with the latest teaching methodologies and advancements in their respective fields. Prof. Kakumba called on the different schools to support various government authorities, saying data has become a critical tool of development, so the School of Statistics should tap into this need.
He pledged University Management’s commitment to support the college initiatives.
The University Secretary, Mr. Yusuf Kiranda, cautioned the management of the college about staff recruitment. The said staff recruitments have to be made within the available resources and staff must qualify for the promotions.
He called on the college management to make recommendations to the University Management that fit within the university structures and policies. Mr. Yusuf Kiranda emphasized the importance of aligning staff recruitment with the college’s available resources to maintain financial stability. He also stressed the need for staff to meet the necessary qualifications for promotions, ensuring that the university’s standards and policies are upheld.
He called on staff to embrace the ongoing data capture for the biometrics system. This would help streamline administrative processes and enhance security measures within the university. Additionally, Mr. Yusuf Kiranda highlighted the significance of staff training and development programs to ensure continuous improvement and professional growth among the university’s workforce. At the end of the two days, the management team agreed that the college needs to tighten the supervision of staff and systems, increase accountability, strengthen workflow processes, and create baseline indicators for quality assurance.
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.
-
General5 days agoADVERT: Mature Age Entry Scheme Examinations – 2026/2027
-
General2 weeks agoProf. Sarah Ssali Appointed Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs)
-
General5 days agoDFCU Bank Uganda Supports the Mastercard Foundation Scholars’ Giveback Initiatives
-
Veterinary & Biosecurity2 weeks agoCIMTRADZ Founders Convention Reflects on Achievements and Sets a Bold Agenda for Global Biosecurity
-
Veterinary & Biosecurity2 weeks agoCoVAB Prepares Future Educators with One Health Skills to Address Zoonotic and Climate Risks