Instead of taking jobs away from people, artificial intelligence is meant to broaden people’s perspectives and stimulate the production of new content. By automating repetitive and mundane tasks, artificial intelligence allows individuals to focus on more creative and complex aspects of their work. This shift can lead to increased innovation and the exploration of new ideas, ultimately benefiting both individuals and society as a whole.
This was the main message at the first ever Uganda Entrepreneurship Congress and Exhibition, organized by the Department of Marketing and Management, College of Business and Management Sciences, on November 16 and 17, 2023.
With the topic “Adapt and thrive within the new normal of AI,” the congress featured breakout sessions, a panel discussion, and a keynote address on the first day. At the Yusuf Lule CTF auditorium, seasoned businesspeople and industry insiders shared their experiences with up-and-coming entrepreneurs, emphasizing that entrepreneurship is a means of bringing about the socioeconomic development of the nation.
The numerous advantages of artificial intelligence (AI) in the fields of agriculture, health, education, tourism, and hospitality have been attested to by academics and business owners. They demonstrated how AI can function quickly, effectively, and efficiently while cautioning against misusing technology and treating it as a stand-in for people.
Dr Dennis Ngabirano, the founder of Psalms Food Industries, said: “AI is about working smart, not about working hard… But as we apply AI, we must be doing the right things and aim to remain agile. To achieve success, you need a mindset change – when everyone is sitting, you stand up; when everyone stands up, you stand out; when many people stand out, make yourself outstanding; and when many become outstanding, become the standard.”
Like anything else, entrepreneurship and AI are not without danger, Ngabirano advised.
Like any relationship, a business has dangers and problems, some of which are self-inflicted. Resilience and patience are crucial. Never launch a business without doing your homework, and keep researching once you are operating it as new obstacles will inevitably arise, particularly as the company expands.
He advised entrepreneurs to motivate their staff and place them where their talents fall, and maintain discipline throughout the organisation.
It is unfounded to worry that AI will become self-sufficient and cause widespread joblessness. Adventure Vacation Safaris’ managing director, Farouk Busuulwa, issued a warning and made the case that artificial intelligence (AI) will make some jobs obsolete, but it cannot replace human labor. Rather, employment will increase, particularly in the content creation industry. Certain repetitive tasks will vanish, and your position will be taken over by the AI user. There is no justification for not being adept in AI since you risk being left behind if you don’t learn how to prosper in this field.
As AI continues to advance, it is important for individuals to adapt and acquire the necessary skills to work alongside AI systems. Embracing AI technology can lead to new opportunities and job creation, especially in fields that require creativity and critical thinking. It is crucial to recognize the potential benefits of AI rather than fearing its impact on employment.
The chief marketing officer of Next Media, Edwin Danze, argued that the audience should access and learn how to use the many AI tools available on the internet, the majority of which are free.
The first day also saw some breakaway sessions from organisatiosn such as URA. Isaac Aijuka, from the Tax Education Unit of Uganda Revenue Authority emphasized the need for business people to keep records to avoid audits and penalties. He did, however, state that one is entitled to contest the assessment and punishment or file an appeal. He discussed a wide range of subjects, such as the advantages of voluntary disclosure, the consequences of tax evasion, the process of becoming a tax agent, revenue taxes and non-revenue taxes, taxation principles, and economic independence.
He said that a nation must be able to use the money it receives to fund its budget in order to be considered fully autonomous, which Uganda is still unable to do. He clarified that the goals of URA are to increase tax collection and promote voluntary compliance. After collecting taxes, URA gives them to the Parliament and the Ministry of Finance for suitable use.
The second day of the congress saw the opening of the seventh students’ entrepreneurship expo and a blood donation clinic by Uganda Red Cross Society and Uganda Blood Transfusion Services.
Students of Bachelor of Business Administration and Bachelor of Commerce, in teams of three to eight members, exhibited a wide variety of ideas, prototypes and innovations. Evaluators went around the stalls, posing questions, offering guidance and marks.
Some of the innovations exhibited included; a solar cook stove, re-usable sanitary pads, automated irrigation system, production plant for noodles among others.
The congress and exhibition were sponsored by Psalms Food Industries, Post Bank, Nivana Water, HZG Group, Vision Group, Legend Events & Hospitality, Iguru Consult, NBS TV, Feed Future, National Coffee Research Institute, Uganda Revenue Authority, KCCA, Uganda Red Cross Society, FlexiPay, Rotary Club of Kitante, Centenary Bank and Housing Finance Bank.
The Public Investment Management Centre of Excellence (PIMCoE), hosted by the College of Business and Management Sciences at Makerere University, successfully concluded the training of its 4th cohort of public officers on November 15, 2024. This capacity-building program focused on the User Acceptance Training on Guidelines for Clearance of Financial Implications, a critical process mandated by Section 76 of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), 2015.
Under the PFMA, every bill presented to Parliament must include a Certificate of Financial Implications (CFI) issued by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED). The preparation of the Statement of Financial Implications (SFI), which forms the basis for the CFI, is the responsibility of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). This statement provides detailed revenue and expenditure estimates and projected savings over a minimum of two years’ post-enactment.
Empowering MDAs with Essential Skills
The training sessions, which began last week and will continue into the following week, aim to equip MDAs with the skills required to prepare robust SFIs. These competencies are essential for MoFPED Budget Analysts to review and draft CFIs or Letters of Financial Clearance effectively.
The 4th cohort comprised officers from key institutions, including the Ministry of Lands, Ministry of Agriculture, National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA), Uganda Land Commission, Ministry of Local Government, National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO), and the Ministry of Kampala, among others.
A Step Toward Transparent and Accountable Governance
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Mr. Moses Sonko, Principal Economist at MoFPED, commended the initiative and acknowledged the value it brings to Uganda’s public policy and legislative processes. Representing the Permanent Secretary of MoFPED, Mr. Sonko highlighted the importance of the training in strengthening governance frameworks.
“This training was developed to equip us with tools and knowledge essential for our roles in ensuring that Uganda’s policy and legislative proposals are financially sound, transparent, and align with national priorities,” Mr. Sonko remarked. He encouraged participants to apply their newly acquired skills to enhance policy preparation and implementation.
He also emphasized the multi-dimensional nature of the training, which enables officers to identify the financial, social, environmental, and economic impacts of proposed bills and policies.
Participant Feedback
Participants expressed their enthusiasm and gratitude for the training. Mr. Davis Kwizera from the National Animal Genetic Resources Centre and Data Bank (NAGRC&DB) shared his positive experience, stating: “This training has offered a wealth of knowledge and an in-depth understanding of policy processes. It will significantly enhance our ability to prepare relevant policy documents. If you’ve taken the courses on Financial and Risk Analysis as well as Investment Appraisal and Risk Analysis, this program completes the package.”
The new guidelines for the clearance of financial implications will officially take effect in July 2025. PIMCoE remains committed to building the capacity of public officers to ensure that Uganda’s legislative and policy frameworks are underpinned by sound financial and risk analyses, fostering a culture of accountability and sustainable development.
For more updates on PIMCoE programs and upcoming training sessions, visit PIMCoE’s official website.
In a pivotal workshop held at Makerere University on November 12, stakeholders, researchers, and policymakers gathered to discuss the progress and emerging issues in the implementation of Uganda’s Parish Development Model (PDM). This transformative model, conceptualized by Prof. Ezra Suruma, aims to tackle some of Uganda’s most pressing socio-economic challenges: poverty, unemployment, and limited access to essential services, particularly in healthcare and agriculture.
Prof. Suruma, the architect of PDM, underscored the crucial role of researchers in creating wealth-empowering strategies for Ugandans. “The PDM is designed to eradicate poverty, promote economic inclusion, improve service delivery, and modernize agriculture,” Prof. Suruma stated. He highlighted that the model not only provides a pathway for Uganda’s rural households to participate in the economy but also aims to address the underlying issues that leave many citizens unable to afford basic needs.
The Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, commended Prof. Suruma’s visionary leadership and the significant impact PDM is expected to have on communities across Uganda. “The PDM stands as one of the largest government interventions aimed at eradicating poverty and uplifting communities,” he remarked. Prof. Nawangwe also emphasized Makerere University’s commitment to supporting PDM through the PDM Lab hosted by the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), which serves as a hub for real-time data analysis to guide the implementation of PDM activities across the country.
The PDM Lab at CoBAMS, led by Prof. Eria Hisali and funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is instrumental in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data that can shape PDM policies at the grassroots level. During the workshop, Dr. Suruma extended his appreciation to UNDP for their support and acknowledged the researchers for their efforts in generating valuable insights into the effectiveness of PDM.
Despite Uganda’s notable economic growth in recent years, poverty remains a persistent challenge, with a significant portion of the population struggling to meet basic needs. Unemployment rates, especially among youth, are high, limiting economic opportunities for the country’s largest demographic. Access to healthcare, particularly in rural areas, is another critical issue, with many Ugandans unable to afford or reach essential medical services. These challenges underscore the need for initiatives like the PDM that are designed to create sustainable economic opportunities, improve household incomes, and ensure equitable access to services.
“PDM seeks to empower households to create wealth, ultimately reducing dependence on subsistence farming and encouraging local economic development,” Prof. Suruma emphasized. He believes that the model’s holistic approach will foster greater self-sufficiency among Uganda’s communities by addressing poverty from multiple angles, including agricultural modernization, financial literacy, and service accessibility.
As the workshop concluded, participants expressed optimism about PDM’s potential to drive sustainable change. Prof. Nawangwe reiterated Makerere University’s dedication to supporting this national initiative, affirming that the PDM Lab will continue to play a key role in assessing and enhancing the model’s effectiveness.
The Parish Development Model offers a beacon of hope for millions of Ugandans striving for a better quality of life, aligning with Uganda’s broader aspirations for economic growth, social equity, and sustainable development.
On November 11, 2024 the School of Business held a research dissemination workshop led by Dr. Jude Thaddeo Mugarura, a lecturer and researcher whose study focused on “Managing the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Operating Environment for Sustainable Service Delivery in Uganda’s Tourism Sector.” The event also featured research by his student, Simon Peter Kyomuhendo, who presented findings on “Public Private Partnership Adoption, Local Content Utilization, and Value for Money in the Ugandan Health Sector.”
Both studies, which delve into the role of PPPs in two crucial sectors—tourism and health—aim to provide insights into how strategic partnerships between public and private entities can address pressing service delivery challenges in Uganda. Dr. Mugarura’s study in the tourism sector emphasized the importance of a stable operating environment for PPPs, highlighting the need for clear policies, regulatory support, and sustainable practices that allow both public and private stakeholders to thrive. His research suggests that a conducive PPP environment is essential for Uganda’s tourism sector to achieve sustainability, attract international visitors, and create job opportunities, while preserving the country’s cultural and natural heritage.
Kyomuhendo’s research, titled “Public Private Partnership Adoption, Local Content Utilization, and Value for Money in the Ugandan Health Sector,” explored how PPPs can improve value for money (VFM) in healthcare delivery by encouraging local content utilization. His findings revealed a positive correlation between PPP adoption and VFM in healthcare, suggesting that well-structured partnerships can enhance efficiency and service quality. However, he noted that while PPPs support infrastructure development and resource allocation, local content utilization does not always have a strong moderating effect on VFM, indicating potential areas for policy improvement to ensure meaningful local engagement.
Dean of the School of Business, Prof. Godfrey Akileng, lauded the researchers for their dedication to tackling critical issues in Uganda’s development sectors. “These studies bring much-needed evidence to the table, demonstrating the potential of PPPs to transform our tourism and health sectors,” Prof. Akileng remarked. He emphasized that such research is pivotal to Makerere University’s commitment to producing actionable knowledge that aligns with Uganda’s national development goals.
Prof. Akileng extended his gratitude to the Carnegie Corporation of New York for supporting these projects, acknowledging that their funding was instrumental in advancing impactful research. “The generosity of our donor has enabled us to conduct thorough research and share insights that will inform policy and guide sustainable development efforts in Uganda,” he added.
The workshop encouraged discussion among participants, including policymakers, private sector representatives, and university staff, on the importance of PPPs in creating a resilient service delivery model. Dr. Mugarura highlighted the need for continual assessment of the PPP framework to adapt to evolving economic and social demands. He recommended that the government prioritize regulatory improvements and capacity building for local firms to enhance their role in PPP projects.
The dissemination workshop concluded with a collective call for increased collaboration between the public and private sectors. Both researchers emphasized that strategic partnerships hold the key to addressing Uganda’s service delivery challenges and achieving sustainable growth in tourism and healthcare.