Business & Management
CoBAMS trains locals on government programs
The Department of Marketing and Management at the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) has offered training of capacity building to local people about government programs and the way to utilize the funds to elevate their living standards.
The trainees of the course that began last year were issued with certificates of completion and urged to be ambassadors of the knowledge they acquired in their respective areas.
These included furniture dealers from Makerere-Kavule, car hire drivers from Bwaise, car wash men from Katonga, market vendors, and students from Makerere University.
Prof Peter Tukyakira said the idea of training low income earners was conceived after realizing that majority of the intended beneficiaries of the Parish Development Model (PDM) program didn’t know how to access the funds.
“Government had put strategies in place intended to improve the household incomes and move Ugandans from a peasant society to a modern and prosperous country but the beneficiaries needed education about these programs,” he revealed.
The training was intended to provide the participants with skills and competences to appreciate government’s effort in fighting poverty, know how to apply for these funds and also how to run a successful business such that they can be able to improve their livelihoods.
Prof Eria Hisali, the Principal of CoBAMS congratulated the participants for remaining committed to the program and encouraged them to continue working closely with the university.
“We have an innovation and incubation center that is being set up and if you have your idea, you can bring it and we develop it together,” he said.
A few years ago, CoBAMS made a decision to make one flagship activity intended to reach out to the communities, and policy makers in the communities surrounding Makerere University. And some of the technical skills that participants gained is how to penetrate into the market and sell off their products.
Prof Godfrey Akileng, the Dean of School of Business noted that this is not the first time for them to engage with the community saying “We have done this before with our women in the nearby markets. We now look at the impact we have put in the community. If we move from household transformation, then we are transforming the nation.”
Beneficiaries speak out
Gerald Lule, the team leader of Tugende Tukole Furniture group thanked Makerere University for the opportunity of training them and changing their lives.
“Many of us have the businesses but we didn’t know how to run them. We just lacked knowledge of elevating our thinking capacity. Before the training, I was not creative at all but now I have learnt to add creative designs on my furniture.”
He asked his fellow trainees to treasure their jobs and work towards expanding them.
“Don’t undermine the jobs you are doing because it is the ladder that will climb to where you want to be.” He said.
He asked the government to help them with financial support to boost their businesses such that they can purchase the equipment they don’t have.
Mr Edward Katende, an official from Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) and PDM Secretariat who graced the event as the chief guest noted that having money alone does not help but knowing how to use it is the best.
“Set your target and work towards achieving it. You can have money but the most important bit is knowing how to utilize it and it produces more money.” He said.
He pledged to help different groups to send their proposals to the responsible persons to lend them money.
Business & Management
Government Officials Equipped with Critical Skills in Financial Appraisal and Risk Analysis
A two-week intensive training in Financial Appraisal and Risk Analysis for government officers across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) concluded today April 11, 2025 at the Pearl on the Nile Hotel in Jinja. The training, delivered under the Programme on Financial Appraisal and Risk Analysis (PIAR) and spearheaded by the Public Investment Management Centre of Excellence (PIM CoE) at Makerere University, sought to bridge long-standing capacity gaps in the preparation, appraisal, and review of public sector projects.
The event was officially closed by Dr. Hennery Ssebukeera, representing the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED). Dr. Ssebukeera highlighted that the training was designed in response to a comprehensive needs assessment, which revealed persistent gaps in government officers’ abilities to carry out cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness analyses, and to prepare or assess pre-feasibility and feasibility studies.
“Many government projects have not been properly appraised due to limited internal capacity,” Dr. Ssebukeera stated. “Too often, we rely on external consultants to prepare feasibility studies, yet our officers are not adequately equipped to interrogate or validate those studies.” He expressed confidence that participants now possess practical skills to analyze topics such as risk analysis, financial modelling, discount rates, project finance, and consumer surplus. “You are now in a position to not only prepare but also critically evaluate complex project documentation,” he added.
Ms. Esther Ayebare, Acting Assistant Commissioner in the Public Investment Management Department at MoFPED, acknowledged the participants’ dedication and active engagement. “As the unit that hosts the Development Committee, we are pleased that this training has added critical skills to help you prepare and submit viable public projects,” she said, calling on the participants to be part of building a sustainable pipeline of investment-ready projects.
In his remarks, Dr. John Sseruyange, Manager of the PIM CoE, emphasized that this training is only the beginning. “While we’ve now completed the financial appraisal component, the next step is Economic Appraisal and Stakeholder Analysis—where we evaluate a project’s broader impact on society and the economy,” he said. He also extended appreciation to the Government of Uganda, particularly MoFPED, for funding the training, as well as to Ms. Esther Ayebare and other facilitators for their unwavering commitment.
Prof. Eria Hisali, who represented the Principal of the College of Business and Management Sciences, praised the participants for navigating what would typically be a semester-long course within just two weeks. “This is a practical, work-oriented training. The knowledge you’ve gained here should be applicable immediately,” he said. He further invited the graduates to attend the upcoming Public Investment Management Conference in August 2025 to share their experiences and provide feedback.
Participants also expressed their gratitude. One quoted the Quran, saying, “Whoever gives you knowledge has given you everything,” in appreciation of the facilitators and the opportunity to learn.
The PIAR program, jointly implemented by Makerere University, MoFPED, the National Planning Authority (NPA), and Cambridge Resources International (CRI), includes two modules: the just-completed Financial Appraisal and Risk Analysis, and the upcoming Economic Appraisal and Stakeholder Analysis. As Uganda continues to push for better value from public investments, trainings like this are building a critical mass of experts who will ensure that every shilling invested delivers real impact.
Business & Management
Makerere and MoFPED Resume Training of Government Officials in Financial Appraisal and Risk Analysis
The Public Investment Management Centre of Excellence (PIM CoE) at Makerere University has resumed its in-depth training program for government officials in Financial Appraisal and Risk Analysis. The two-week training, held in Jinja, brings together public officers from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) across Uganda.
The training was officially opened by Ms. Esther Ayebare, who represented the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury (PSST) at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED). She emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening public sector capacity under the Public Investment Management System (PIMS) framework.
Ms. Ayebare underscored the importance of the training in building the technical capacity required for sound investment decision-making. “This training will empower you to make informed decisions, assess financial viability, and identify risks that could impact investment outcomes,” she noted.
Professor Edward Bbaale, Principal Investigator of the PIM CoE, he expressed appreciation to MoFPED for its financial support and strategic collaboration in organizing the training and nominating participants. “Your continued support is instrumental in enhancing the skills and capacity of government workers in Public Investment Management,” he said. He further acknowledged the role of Vice Chancellors, Permanent Secretaries, and CAOs in nominating participants and reaffirmed Makerere’s commitment to delivering transformative learning through a blend of theory and hands-on project appraisal.
Participants in the training will engage with real-world projects in sectors such as roads, health, energy, and education. Upon successful completion, they will receive a prestigious tripartite certificate from Makerere University, MoFPED, and Queen’s University in Canada.
The training features facilitators from Cambridge Resources International, the International Growth Centre, the National Planning Authority, and MoFPED, offering a curriculum rooted in global best practices.
Participants were encouraged to not only apply the knowledge in their respective roles but also to mentor colleagues, thereby broadening the reach and impact of the program.
The PIM CoE continues to play a pivotal role in shaping Uganda’s public investment landscape through research, advisory services, and outreach. Recent milestones include the revision of the Development Committee guidelines and the convening of a national PIM conference in October 2024.
With the resumption of this training, Uganda takes yet another step toward fostering a skilled public sector capable of steering high-impact investments for sustainable national development.
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