Business & Management
PIM Basic training 4: Building Capacity of public officers
This week once again, the Public Investment Management Centre of Excellence is contributing to capacity building of government officers. The center is offering basic Public Investment Management training to a group of forty (40) Economists from different MDAs. Key focus areas has been on how to develop project concept notes and project Profiles in their respective MDAs, use of the Integrated Bank of Projects, Introduction to integrated investment appraisal, key considerations in the Environment and Social Risk management, Monitoring & Evaluation of the projects as well as the Public Private Partnerships in the design and execution of the projects.
Speaking during the open of the training on September 25, 2023, Prof. Ibrahim Mike Okumu, the Dean School of Economics, appreciated the government of Uganda for the support rendered to the center. He also thanked the participants for making the time to undertake the one-week intensive training.
He said he was happy to see participants from Ministries, Agencies, departments, NGOs and academic institutions. “Having university participants gives me the confidence that we as trainers are contributing to curriculum development and review in these institutions,” he said. “Having public and private officers trained shows that we shall have a country that not only works for its self but also for its people”.
He encouraged the participants to participate in the other two modules; Financial modeling and Economic Modeling which will take place in November 2023 and February 2024.
The Centre Manager, Dr. Willy Kagarura, shared with the trainees the reasons for the creation of the center. He shared that the center was formed to create capacity for PIMs in an effort to reduce losses in public investments. This followed a World Bank study which found that Uganda was losing 6 cents of every dollar invested. This was attributed to poor project management, write from the concept stage to implementation. The PIM center has over the last 2 years undertake capacity building, research and advisory services in the areas of PIM. Over 150 public officers have acquired the training. The center hopes to train more than 500 individuals over the next 5 years.
The over 40 trainees who attended the PIM Basic training received certificates following the one-week rigorous training. Speaking during the award ceremony on September 29, 2023, Mr. Joseph Ahaisibwe from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, also one of the trainers was hopeful that the trainees would use the new knowledge acquired to better their performances at work. He called on the officers to ensure that their organizations have functional Project Preparation Committees in an effort to improve PIM. The officers requested that the heads of these government entities also be invited to undertake this training such that they too get this important knowledge. This, Mr Ahaisibwe said the ministry would consider.
The Director of Research and Graduate Training at Makerere University and also the Principal Investigator of the PIM centre of Excellence, Prof. Edward Bbaale on his part thanked the government of Uganda through MoFPED for the funding to the centre. Their support he said has been instrumental in efforts to enhance the skills and knowledge of government workers in the field of Public Investment Management (PIM).
He appreciated the dedicated faculty members who have contributed to the success of this training program. The experts are drawn from Makerere University, the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, the National Planning Authority, and PEMBROKE Consultants.
Prof. Bbaale also appreciated the participants for making the time to undertake the course. “I implore you to view this training as the initial step in your journey through Public Investment Management. We invite you to consider advanced training phases in PIM, such as Financial Analysis and Economic Analysis, where we delve deeper into financial and economic modeling. These advanced courses offer a blend of theory and hands-on experience, allowing you to work on real-world projects in sectors like roads, electricity, water, and energy,” he said.
The trainees will be expected to undertake two more intermediary courses; Financial and Economic Analysis.
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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