Makerere University Innovations Hub has commemorated the international day for persons living with disabilities by celebrating these young innovators.
The celebrations were held at Makerere University in the Yusuf Lule Teaching Facility-Auditorium on December 01.
The persons living with disabilities showcased different skills in shoe making, soap making, bracelets making, weaving among others, parading their items they make to earn a living.
Makerere University Innovations Hub started up a project last year dubbed, “Innovativeness of Young Persons with Disabilities in Uganda” to support them in discovering their skills and help them to start a journey to economic empowerment. The programme is sponsored by the Royal Academy of Engineering, a UK based agency.
Dr Cathy Mbidde, the Principal Investigator (PI) of this programme, said she conceived the idea in December 2022 from a class assignment that she gave to students to go into the community and identify problems.
“I wanted them to go and find problems in the community to start a business. So they identified a few problems but one of the groups of students had a disabled person and she was struggling as they were arguing how to develop the product. That is how I realized that I can do something to impact people with disabilities,” she said
Dr Mbidde said she took a step to initiate a programme that can keep these persons busy and at the same time start up some businesses convenient for them to do.
“In December last year, there was a call from the Royal Academy of Engineering providing grants and I wrote and won the Frontiers Champions grant of around Shs42 million to organize an event,” she said.
She says one of the objectives of this programme was to identify persons living with disabilities who are innovative.
“How are they able to maneuver and start an enterprise or do some kind of business in an innovative way. I also wanted to look for stakeholders who can support them to execute their innovativeness,” she said.
The PI wanted to get for them a platform where they can come together and share experiences.
During the initial stages of the programme, Dr Mbidde went out to the field and made research about persons living with disabilities. She identified a few things that they needed including decent housing after noting that some of them were living in houses which could not accommodate them.
She also found out that these people lacked school fees to take their children to school and something needed to be done to see a way to bail them out of this situation.
“They had the skills but did not have the resources, we therefore came up and picked 15 persons during our pilot study of one year,” she said.
Dr Mbidde partners with different agencies and organizations to pave a way of helping skilled persons living with disabilities.
Ms Penninah Nakandi, one of the persons living with disabilities who doubles as the Executive Director of Persons with disabilities in Business Uganda (PIB-UG) said she empowers youth and mothers of children living with disabilities through an economic skilling programme.
“We believed that after dropping papers of applications seeking for jobs and people at times don’t even respond to us, we decided to startup that initiative and we have moved a long way because we have a total of 55 members,” she said adding that PIB-UG offers mentorship and empowers people to work as a team.
Mr Gerald Sunday, the Centenary Bank branch manager at Makerere said they have special packages for PWDs who are doing private businesses, small scale cottage businesses like those doing tailoring, liquid soap making, shoe making among others.
“We invite them to come for startup capital. We have youth negotiable loans at 16 percent per annum right from shs50,000 up to shs5 million as long as they qualify and are in the age bracket of the youth,” he said.
Mr Edwin Leroy, the Operations manager at Isitoshe Tours and Travel company, which mostly deals with people living disabilities in touring services said most of these people have been left behind but they have now embarked on helping them to engage in different job opportunities.
“We want to take the initiative to be part of this programme to see that the persons living with disabilities can exercise their skills and at the end of the day, they can improve their well-being,” he said.
He added: “We want to help them to engage in different activities that can generate income for them and equally participate and compete with all other people that do not have disabilities.”
At the recent Makerere University Entrepreneurship Congress 2024, held under the theme “Entrepreneurship as a Catalyst for Inclusive Growth”, Uganda’s State Minister for Gender, Labour, and Social Development, Hon. Balaam Barugahara, highlighted the transformative power of entrepreneurship. “Entrepreneurship promotes social mobility, fosters innovation, and empowers young people,” he said, emphasizing its role in addressing unemployment, limited opportunities, and inequality.
The event, organized by the Entrepreneurship and Outreach Center (MakEOC) under the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), focused on providing young people with practical skills and strategies for entrepreneurial success. Hon. Barugahara shared his entrepreneurial journey, urging young entrepreneurs to “start small, dream big, understand their market, and surround themselves with mentors.”
Prof. Edward Bbaale, Principal of CoBAMS, who represented the Vice Chancellor, emphasized that entrepreneurship is vital for Uganda’s economic growth and development, particularly in tackling underemployment. “We aim to reinforce that growth must be inclusive, equitable, and accessible, ensuring that no one is left behind,” he remarked. He encouraged students and faculty to leverage the university’s resources to turn ideas into marketable products.
The Dean of the School of Business, Prof. Godfrey Akileng, underscored the role of entrepreneurship in achieving Uganda’s sustainable development goals, describing it as a crucial path for economic empowerment. “Through this congress, we aim to prepare students not only to create jobs for themselves but also to drive change and innovation that can uplift communities,” he stated.
Dr. Jude Mugarura, Head of the Department of Marketing and Management, commended the congress’s efforts in fostering entrepreneurship and noted the department’s role in developing well-rounded graduates. “Our goal is to produce graduates who can innovate, create, and manage businesses and also employ others,” he said, emphasizing the shift from “job-for-life” careers to “portfolio careers.”
The congress explored four core areas of modern entrepreneurship:
Starting and Scaling a Small Business – Vision, resilience, and strong teamwork.
Entrepreneurial Leadership and Mindset – Adaptability and comprehensive business planning.
Technological Trends – Utilizing AI and data to fuel entrepreneurial growth.
The Digital Hustle – Mastering digital presence, content creation, and engagement.
The event also featured insights from a range of panel speakers. Spera Atuhaire, Country Director of BRAC Uganda, discussed their mentorship-driven employment programs designed to empower young people. “Our initiatives focus on social economy, mentorship, and savings, helping youth overcome barriers to success,” she noted, adding that BRAC provides affordable credit to address financial challenges for young entrepreneurs.
Diana Ninsiima Kibuuka, Country Director of BNI Uganda, highlighted the importance of networking and understanding the values behind each network. “Each network serves a purpose, and you must understand that purpose,” she said, sharing her personal experience transitioning from law to entrepreneurship through her connection with BNI.
CK Japheth, founder of Innovation Village, emphasized the importance of testing business ideas for viability. “How do you reduce the time spent proving an idea is viable?” he asked, encouraging entrepreneurs to validate ideas through trial and error. “Find out by trying,” he advised, reminding participants that good ideas don’t automatically lead to successful businesses.
Diana Njuguna, an Associate Partner at Nyota Capital, discussed the challenges entrepreneurs face in securing funding, pointing to issues such as poor financial structure, inadequate governance, and complacency. “Strong financial management and qualified personnel are essential,” she said, urging young entrepreneurs to prioritize growth and avoid getting too comfortable in “lifestyle businesses.”
The Congress culminated in a well-attended Students’ Expo at Freedom Square, showcasing innovative student-led products and services. Dr. Sarah Bimbona, Director of Makerere University’s Entrepreneurship and Outreach Centre, praised the event, saying, “This year’s theme resonated deeply, addressing pressing challenges in Uganda’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.”
The Makerere University Entrepreneurship Congress 2024 succeeded in inspiring a new generation of entrepreneurs, promoting discussions on innovative solutions, and fostering partnerships that support Uganda’s socio-economic growth and development.
The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has inaugurated a research lab, aimed at boosting collaboration between URA and the academic community. The lab, which opened in 2022 with support from the United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UN-WIDER), was officially launched at a recent event attended by URA officials, faculty members, and students. Mr Gerald Agaba, a research Assistant said the lab provides researchers and students with access to URA’s rich datasets, advancing data-driven research to inform policy and economic growth strategies.
Mr. Nicholas Musoke, URA’s Manager of Research and Statistics, underscored the importance of the lab, particularly in fostering awareness among Makerere University staff and students. He noted that while access currently requires an in-person visit to URA’s headquarters, virtual access for researchers is under consideration. The lab has already been utilized by researchers from the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), including Dr. Susan Kavuma and Dr. Ismail Kintu.
Prof. Edward Bbaale, the Principal College of Business and Management Sciences, expressed appreciation to URA for selecting Makerere University as a strategic partner, highlighting the lab’s potential to bridge academia and public policy. He stated, “Access to administrative data is essential for high-quality research. This lab provides a unique platform for both faculty and students to apply theoretical concepts in a practical, impactful way, enabling them to engage in empirical research that addresses real-world economic challenges.”
Prof. Bbaale emphasized that the lab will empower students and faculty to conduct groundbreaking research in taxation, public finance, and fiscal policy. He called on students and faculty to embrace this opportunity and produce meaningful research that can inform evidence-based policy-making in Uganda.
The URA Research Lab is envisioned as a catalyst for greater collaboration and insight into Uganda’s tax system and economic structure, fostering the production of research that can enhance revenue mobilization and economic resilience.
The lab launch marks a significant step toward creating a partnership model between Uganda’s tax authority and academia, with hopes of expanding access and engagement with more researchers across the country.
Hoima and Kikuube Districts, Uganda – October 20, 2024
A group of third-year students from College of Business and Management Sciences’s Energy and Natural Resources Economics program visited the Kingfisher oil operations and Kabalega Airport in Hoima and Kikuube districts on October 20, 2024. Led by Dr. Peter Babyenda and Dr. John Sseruyange, and with authorization from the Petroleum Authority of Uganda, the visit offered the students an invaluable opportunity to connect classroom learning with field experience.
The primary objective of the field trip was to enhance students’ practical understanding of Uganda’s oil industry by observing the extraction and production processes firsthand. According to Dr. Babyenda, “Blending theory with real-world exposure is essential for these students, as it allows them to apply and expand their knowledge beyond the classroom.”
During the tour, students explored several key areas:
Practical Exposure – Witnessing the operational procedures of oil extraction offered students a concrete understanding of how theoretical concepts play out in the field, enhancing their grasp of the industry.
Economic Impact Analysis – Observing the economic role of oil production in Hoima and Kikuube allowed the students to explore its broader impact on local and global markets and its contributions to community development and Uganda’s economic landscape.
Technical Knowledge – The students gained insights into the technical aspects of oil extraction, learning about the complexities of the operations, the innovations employed, and the challenges faced by the industry.
Environmental and Social Considerations – Students observed the environmental practices in place and evaluated the social dynamics involved, gaining an understanding of how oil companies balance production with community and environmental sustainability.
Career Insights – With opportunities to interact with professionals in the oil sector, students received guidance on potential career paths in the industry, helping them make informed decisions about their futures.
Current Industry Issues – The group also delved into the status of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project and discussed challenges in oil and natural gas production, examining where Uganda stands in terms of production timelines, obstacles, solutions, and the role they can play as future energy professionals.
Reflecting on the trip, Dr. Sseruyange highlighted the importance of this experience in solidifying students’ understanding of Uganda’s evolving oil industry. “This field experience not only complements what they’ve learned in lectures but also equips them with a real sense of the operational and societal impact of the energy sector,”he noted.
The students expressed their gratitude for the immersive experience, noting how it broadened their perspectives and deepened their knowledge. The field trip served as an essential step in preparing them for careers within Uganda’s energy and natural resources sectors, bringing them closer to the industry’s forefront and the future of sustainable energy in the region.