Business & Management
Researchers call for more Govt. intervention to boost domestic tourism
Following a study on “Promoting Domestic Tourism in Uganda, An Assessment of Economic Significance and Opportunities for Tourism Stakeholders in Uganda” researchers have advised the government to increase funding to the tourism sector in an effort to promote and grow domestic tourism. One of the biggest hindrances to domestic tourism, as noted in the study, is poverty. Many Ugandans cited the low income levels for failure to undertake domestic tourism. The researchers noted that with government support, locals would be able to get subsidy rates to allow them to travel and see the beauty that Uganda has to offer.
While presenting the study findings, Dr. Peter Babyenda noted that domestic tourism has been neglected both as an area of research and as an avenue for economic growth and development. The neglect is largely due to the popular assumption that tourists invariably originate from distant lands and other cultures, with the consequence that domestic travelers are sometimes discounted as tourists. Although the importance of developing domestic tourism has been recognized, the absence of a comprehensive enabling environment has left this segment of the market lagging. According to the researchers, in Uganda, tourism investment targets mainly the affluent tourists from western countries, and domestic tourism only comes up as a passing concern when international tourism is on the decline, especially during low seasons, and threats to international tourism, especially epidemic disease outbreaks and global economic recessions. However, domestic tourism has been gaining momentum, with the Uganda Tourism Board launching marketing campaigns aimed at attracting Ugandans to take up domestic tourism. Whereas Ugandans have limited purchasing power, campaigns urging tour operators and hotels to reduce rates for domestic travelers to encourage them to take up holidays during the low season are paying dividends. However, despite such initiatives, there are few clear studies that address why domestic tourism is low, with little complete research being done on what contributes to domestic tourism’s presence in the country. Therefore, the present study not only sought to explore the factors that hinder Ugandans from participating in domestic tourism but also sought to provide a framework on which domestic tourism policies and promotional tools can be founded. It was also intended to suggest measures to stakeholders in the sector to develop domestic tourism.
The findings indicate that the majority (62.2%) of Ugandans have not toured because tourism is considered costly, the majority of them have low incomes (poor), and they do not have enough time to tour, especially those who are employed. Other hindrances include inadequate information about the tourism sites, what is offered, and the costs involved. The results further show that improving tourism roads, subsidizing the sector in terms of costs, and increasing domestic advertising could increase their probability of touring domestically. Having specific packages for Ugandans, East Africans, and the rest of the world is another key factor in promoting domestic tourism. We can take an example of similar programs from Kenya: Tembeya Kenya. Can we have separate, relatively cheaper packages for Ugandans? Can we involve young people in promoting domestic tourism? The findings of this study, therefore, provide appropriate avenues through which domestic tourism can be developed for sustainability and provide knowledge on how several factors affect and influence Ugandans’ participation in domestic tourism. Domestic tourism has several indirect benefits, such as making tourism sites financially stable and thus able to maintain workers and the cleanliness of the sights, supporting other sectors like agriculture and transport, and hence leading to increased government revenue.
Speaking at the dissemination workshop on December 13, 2023, the Dean of the School of Economics, Prof. Ibrahim Mike Okumu, congratulated the research team, saying it is through research that the academicians can be deemed relevant within the policy space. Prof. Okumu said the country has diverse tourist attractions, starting with the kingdoms and across the country, and a rich culture.
“Uganda is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. It has a plethora of traditions by virtue of the kingdoms that make up Uganda,” he said.
He shared that some of the initiatives that are imperative for us to be in a position to sell tourism products domestically include digitalization. He said it would be a good idea for the country’s tourism information to be only a click away. Prof. Okumu also emphasized the importance of promoting sustainable tourism practices. He suggested that the country should prioritize initiatives that minimize the negative impact of tourism on the environment and local communities. Additionally, he highlighted the need for effective marketing strategies to attract both domestic and international tourists, such as leveraging social media platforms and collaborating with travel influencers. Prof. Okumu also called for the need to streamline service providers across the value chain and to improve the overall tourist experience through better infrastructure and customer service. The tourism industry, he said, can be exploited to address the issue of youth unemployment.
Mr. Ezra Byakutangaza, the representative of Mak RIF, the funding agency, appreciated the researcher for the time put in to conduct the study. He thanked the government of Uganda for the research funding given to Makererere University through RIF. He also commended the researchers for their dedication and commitment to finding solutions that can be implemented effectively.
Research team: John Bbaale Mayanja, Peter Babyenda, Stevens Mwalye, John Mutenyo and Rose Nakimu
The Public Investment Management (PIM) Centre of Excellence has commenced a three-day refresher training for members of the Development Committee (DC) of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. The training, which began today in Jinja, aims to enhance the analytical and technical skills of committee members who are tasked with reviewing government projects submitted by various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
The training was today February 19, 2025, officially opened by Dr. Hennery Ssebukeera, who represented the Director of the Budget Directorate. In his opening remarks, Dr. Ssebukeera emphasized the importance of the refresher course in enabling the Development Committee to effectively conduct quality reviews and fulfill its mandate as a key gatekeeper of the Public Investment Plan. He noted that the training would improve the participants’ ability to appraise and implement public investments in line with the Public Investment Management System (PIMS) framework.
Speaking at the same event, Prof. Ibrahim Mike Okumu, representing the Centre Director, Prof. Edward Bbaale, expressed the Centre’s gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to Uganda’s PIM cycle. He highlighted the importance of the training in harmonizing the relationship between the MDAs that draft project proposals and the analysts who review them. Prof. Okumu reiterated the Centre’s commitment to building the capacity of government officials in Public Investment Management, thereby supporting the country’s development aspirations.
The need for this training was identified during the Development Committee retreat held in 2024, which revealed limited capacity among DC members in project appraisal, specifically in reviewing prefeasibility and feasibility reports, Dr Ssebukeera noted. In response, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, in collaboration with the PIM Centre of Excellence, organized this refresher course to strengthen the participants’ technical and analytical skills.
DC is a statutory committee of government that evaluates the viability of public investment projects. Its statutory composition includes: Office of the President, Office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, National Planning Authority, Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA), Office of the Solicitor General, Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development, National Environment Management Authority, Equal Opportunities Commission, Ministry or Work and Transport, Ministry of Water and Environment, Public Private Partnership Unit. The PIM Center of Excellence was recently admitted to the Development Committee as a non-voting member.
The training will cover a wide range of topics, including the role of PIMS in the country’s development goals, the logical flow of project profiles, costing, and the interpretation of interconnections between prefeasibility/feasibility reports and financial models. Additionally, participants will explore the role of public-private partnerships in national development.
Dr. Ssebukeera encouraged participants to actively engage in discussions, share their expertise, and apply the knowledge gained from the training. He noted that this engagement would empower the Development Committee to effectively perform its role in reviewing and approving public investment projects, ensuring they align with national priorities and deliver value for money.
The Public Investment Management Centre of Excellence, established by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development in partnership with Makerere University School of Economics, continues to play a pivotal role in building the capacity of MDAs in managing public investments. To date, the Centre has trained over 300 officers and produced several research papers, reflecting its commitment to enhancing public investment management in Uganda.
The training in Jinja is expected to enhance the participants’ capacity to effectively review government projects, thus supporting the effective implementation of Uganda’s Public Investment Plan.
Business & Management
Somali Officials Complete Executive Training in Infrastructure Asset Management at CoBAMS
Six Somali government officials have successfully completed a three-day Executive Training in Infrastructure Asset Management, held at Makerere University’s Public Investment Management Centre of Excellence (PIM CoE). The training, funded by the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), took place from January 27 to 29, 2025, and aimed to enhance regional capacity in infrastructure planning and management.
The training brought together senior civil servants and policymakers from Somalia, equipping them with practical knowledge and strategies for sustainable infrastructure asset management. It also fostered valuable cross-border collaboration, facilitated by UNCDF Uganda, which played a crucial role in connecting Makerere University with the Government of Somalia.
The program was delivered by experienced faculty from Makerere University’s College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), alongside experts from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED) and the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA). A special session was also led by the Makerere University Bursar, offering practical insights into financial management in infrastructure projects.
Speaking at the opening of the training, Mr. Ncube Mkhululi, the Regional Technical Advisor for UNCDF emphasized the importance of infrastructure asset management in driving sustainable economic growth. He highlighted UNCDF’s commitment to supporting capacity-building initiatives in developing economies, noting that effective infrastructure planning and management are critical to national development. He also expressed confidence in Makerere University’s expertise in delivering high-impact executive training programs for government officials.
During the closing ceremony, Prof. Bbaale Edward, the Principal of the College of Business and Management Sciences expressed gratitude to all partners, including UNCDF, Makerere University management, and the PIM CoE faculty, for their commitment to making the training a success. He emphasized Makerere University’s ongoing efforts to internationalize its research-led agenda, positioning itself as a hub for regional knowledge exchange.
UNCDF Program Manager, Mr. Joel Mundua, the commended the participants for their dedication and encouraged them to share the acquired knowledge with fellow officials in Somalia. This was reaffirmed by one of the participants, who pledged to apply and disseminate the learnings within their respective departments.
Mr. Sunday Denis Aliti, the Program Officer at UNCDF highlighted the importance of ensuring that infrastructure asset management strategies are practical, adaptable, and aligned with national development goals. He commended Makerere University for its leadership in knowledge transfer and regional training and encouraged continued collaboration between universities, governments, and international development partners to strengthen institutional capacity.
Dr. John Sseruyange, Manager of the PIM CoE, applauded both the participants and the expert trainers who contributed to the program. He reiterated the Centre’s commitment to advancing infrastructure asset management through continued training and collaboration with regional stakeholders.
As the training concluded, participants departed with valuable insights and practical tools to improve infrastructure management in Somalia and beyond. The success of this initiative highlights Makerere University’s role as a leading institution in public investment management, fostering capacity-building efforts that drive sustainable development across Africa.
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