Business & Management
Mak equips over 400 refugees with entrepreneurship skills
Makerere University through the college of Business and Management Sciences has equipped over 400 refugees with entrepreneurial skills and awarded them certificates.
The six-month training has seen refugees from over 10 African countries benefit from a project spearheaded by Dr. Anthony Tibaingana.
Dr. Tibaingana said that he conceived the idea in 2019 following research about refugees in which he found that they are one of the vulnerable groups that need help improving their livelihoods.
“They were trained to generate business ideas, to develop the ideas and also market the ideas and transform them into real businesses,” Dr. Tibangana said on January 20, 2024.
Dr. Tibaingana said he wanted refugees to be self-reliant and grow economically to support their families and also thrive economically in the business arena.
“We awarded them certificates such that even when they leave this country and go to other countries, they will have a skill that they can use to survive,” Dr Tibaingana said adding, “Uganda is the second country in hosting refugees and there is need for avenues to integrate the refugees into economic activities to reduce on the crime rate in the country.”
The Bondeko Refugee Livelihoods Center’s Chairperson, Ms. Patricia Driver, was the guest of honor at the event, advised the beneficiaries to make the most of what little they have while they wait for financial support to arrive.
“Think about working together because, at the end of the day, we are always strong when we are together. Everything on this earth starts small. This is a new start for all of you to change your lives. Be ambassadors of your fellow refugees who did not make it to this training and stay committed to changing your lives and those of your families once and for all,” Ms. Driver said.
Dr. Jude Thaddeo Mugarura, the head of Department Marketing and Business at COBAMS, said they were committed to supporting the refugees in their businesses even after the training.
Additionally, Dr. Mugarura mentioned that they would continue to provide mentorship and guidance to ensure the refugees’ success in their entrepreneurial endeavors.
In addition to praising Dr. Tibaingana for his research, Mr. Ezra Byakutangaza, a representative of the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF), promised on behalf of the Fund to continue funding any projects that have an impact on the lives of the nation’s most vulnerable citizens.
He also highlighted the potential for these projects to create a positive ripple effect, not only improving the lives of refugees but also contributing to the overall development and prosperity of the nation.
During the training, the research team partnered with Movit Products Limited to provide practical hands-on experience and networking opportunities for the students.
Mr. Robert Ggoobi Kitenda, the head of marketing Africa at Movit Products Limited, said their partnership with Makerere in training these refugees was to help them create jobs and have income-generating businesses that could support their families.
“We want you to use reliable products that will keep your clients and also market your businesses to prospective clients. What we have given you is knowledge and that is your compass. If you follow your compass, you will be able to live up to your expectations,” Mr. Ggoobi said.
Many refugees are not recognized even though they have qualifications from their home countries, according to Ms. Samantha Simbi, Administrative Assistant at the Association of Refugees with Disabilities in Najjanankumbi (ARD). However, since they have received training from Makerere University, they are now prepared to even apply for jobs.
Ms. Simbi highlighted that the lack of recognition of refugees’ qualifications often leads to underemployment or unemployment. She further emphasizes that the training they received from Makerere University has equipped them with the necessary skills and knowledge to compete in the job market, increasing their chances of securing employment opportunities.
Ms. Everline Amokol, the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Officer, at the Bondeko Refugee Center, urged the refugees to seize the chance to start over and seek out new opportunities rather than giving up because they were no longer in their home countries.
“Don’t deny yourself social lives because you never know what will happen tomorrow. Try to forget the trauma that you are a refugee,” she added.
Mr. Ismail Ibrahim Ali Mohammed, the leader of the Somali community, said they will use the skills and knowledge gained to change their economic narrative and tap into opportunities available in Uganda.
“Today marks not just the end of our academic endeavors but the commencement of a thrilling adventure in the world of innovation, risk-taking, and leadership,” Ali Mohammed said.
He added: “In the realm of business, we are not merely graduates: we are architects of our destinies, builders of enterprises, and visionaries of change. The skills we have acquired here from financial acumen to strategic thinking, serve as the foundation for the challenges that lie ahead.”
Ali Mohammed tipped the graduates to collaborate and network with one another while embarking on the new journey of business.
“Build relationships, look for other viewpoints, and never undervalue the strength of a cohesive team. Collaboration fosters creativity and moves us closer to common success in today’s linked world, the speaker said.
The trained refugees originate from Somalia, DR Congo, South Sudan Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania Comoros, Kenya, Ethiopia and Eritrea. The training took place in different communities including Kisenyi, Najjanakumbi, Kawempe, and Kireka among others.
This is the second time Makerere University is offering training to refugees in entrepreneurial skills, with the first cohort having graduated in 2021/2022 financial year from which over 300 people were trained.
This time, out of the 435 trainees, about 130 were Ugandans who live in refugee communities as per the 2006 Refugee Act as amended, that calls for the training of 30 percent of local people when training refugees in any activities.
Research team
- Dr. Anthony Tibaingana (PI)
- Ms. Nantale Hanifah
- Ms. Betty Tuhaise
- Prof. Faisal Buyinza
- Ms. Catherine Twongyeire.
- Mr. Ronny Mulongo
Business & Management
Building Skills for Better Public Investments: PIM Centre Trains Public Sector Economists
Away from the bustle of the city, in the calm setting of Mbarara, over 30 public service economists have gathered with a shared purpose: to strengthen the skills that shape how public resources are invested and how national development priorities are realised.
The two-week executive training on Economic Appraisal and Stakeholder Analysis, organised by the Public Investment Management (PIM) Centre of Excellence at Makerere University, officially commenced this week, bringing together public officers from across government, academia, state agencies, and civil society. At its core, the programme seeks to answer a fundamental question—how can Uganda ensure that every shilling invested in public projects delivers maximum economic and social value?
The training draws expertise from Makerere University, Cambridge Resources International (CRI), the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED), and the National Planning Authority (NPA), reflecting a strong partnership between academia, policy makers, and development practitioners. Participants represent a wide cross-section of institutions, including the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Uganda Tourism Board, MoFPED, Kiira Municipality, Wakiso Local Government, Kyambogo University, Makerere University, UEDCL, UNCST, UDC, the Uganda Police Force, Parliament of Uganda, and several civil society organisations.
Opening the programme on behalf of the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury, Commissioner PAP, Ms. Gertrude Basiima, explained that the choice of venue was intentional. Holding the training away from the city, she noted, allows participants to concentrate fully and engage more deeply with the intensive content. Previous trainings held in similar settings, she added, had yielded positive results.
Ms. Basiima highlighted that the training is part of a long-standing strategic partnership between the Ministry of Finance and the PIM Centre of Excellence at Makerere University, housed in the School of Economics. Established in 2016, the collaboration was informed by diagnostic assessments that revealed persistent gaps in Uganda’s public investment management system—particularly in project identification, appraisal, selection, and implementation.
“These gaps are not merely technical,” she observed. “They determine whether public investments truly transform communities or fall short of their promise.”
The training builds on earlier modules in financial appraisal, equipping participants with advanced competencies in economic appraisal and stakeholder analysis. Through practical case studies and hands-on exercises, participants will explore demand forecasting, economic pricing, and sector-specific appraisal techniques applicable to energy, water, transport, and agriculture. By the end of the programme, participants are expected to competently conduct cost-benefit analyses and assess whether proposed projects merit inclusion in the national budget.
Ms. Basiima emphasised that while many feasibility studies are prepared by consultants, public officers must be able to interrogate, quality-assure, and defend these studies before decision-making bodies such as the Development Committee. The training, she said, is designed to position participants to do exactly that.
For Prof. Edward Bbaale, Director of the PIM Centre of Excellence, the training comes at a critical moment in Uganda’s development journey. With the country implementing ambitious programmes under the National Development Plan IV and the Ten-Fold Growth Strategy, public investment has become a central driver of socio-economic transformation.
Across the country, Uganda is investing heavily in transport infrastructure, energy generation and transmission, irrigation systems to respond to climate change, industrial parks, digital infrastructure, education, and health facilities. Yet, as Prof. Bbaale cautioned, the success of these investments depends less on the volume of funding mobilised and more on the quality of project preparation and appraisal.
“Economic appraisal must be seen not as a box-ticking exercise, but as a strategic tool for national transformation,” he said. “It enables government to prioritise projects with the highest economic and social returns, minimise fiscal risks, and ensure value for money.”
Prof. Bbaale also underscored the strength of the multi-institutional partnership supporting the programme, noting that it blends global best practices with Uganda’s policy realities. At the conclusion of the training, participants will receive a tripartite certificate jointly issued by Makerere University, the Ministry of Finance, and Queen’s University, recognising their enhanced expertise in public investment management.
For the Manager of the PIM Centre of Excellence, Dr. John Sseruyange, the training is as much about mindset as it is about technical skills. He encouraged participants to remain disciplined, engage fully, and build professional networks that will endure long after the two weeks in Mbarara.
“The skills you gain here will not only strengthen you as individuals,” he noted, “but will directly influence the quality of public investment decisions made across Uganda.”
As the sessions unfold over the next two weeks, the training stands as a testament to Makerere University’s enduring contribution to national development—building capacity, shaping policy, and preparing public servants to make decisions that drive sustainable growth, economic resilience, and shared prosperity for all Ugandans.
Beyond training, the PIM Centre of Excellence continues to play a broader national role through research and policy advisory services. The Centre has supported the review of Development Committee guidelines and convened national dialogue through its annual Public Investment Management Conference, including last year’s conference themed “Overcoming Implementation Barriers in Public Investment Management for Fiscal Sustainability.”
Kampala, Uganda – December 19, 2025 — The Environment for Development (EfD) Uganda Centre at Makerere University has taken stock of its 2025 achievements and outlined its strategic direction for 2025–2029, with a strong focus on energy transition, climate change, and sustainable natural resource management.
The reflections were shared during the Centre’s annual end-of-year celebration, which brought together members of the EfD Steering Committee, deans from the School of Economics and the School of Agricultural Sciences, government officials, private sector actors, civil society organisations, researchers, and students.
Interdisciplinary Foundation Strengthens Impact
Addressing stakeholders, EfD Uganda Director, Professor Edward Bbaale, highlighted the Centre’s progress in institutional development, research, policy engagement, and capacity building. While acknowledging challenges encountered during the year, he noted that these provided valuable lessons as the Centre transitions into a new strategic phase under the EfD Strategic Plan (2025–2029).
Prof. Bbaale underscored the Centre’s unique positioning within Makerere University, noting that it is jointly anchored in the School of Economics and the School of Agricultural Sciences. This interdisciplinary foundation, he said, enables EfD Uganda to address complex development challenges such as energy transition, climate change, water resources, forestry, biodiversity, and agriculture from a holistic perspective.
“This approach aligns with Makerere University’s policy on research institutes and reflects global trends that increasingly demand cross-disciplinary collaboration,” he said.
He further highlighted existing academic synergies, with PhD students in Economics and Agricultural Economics sharing coursework, and announced the launch of a Master of Science in Environment and Natural Resource Economics, recently approved by the National Council for Higher Education. The programme, jointly developed by faculty from both schools, is expected to strengthen training in environmental economics and natural resource management.
Strategic Direction for 2025–2029
Prof. Bbaale unveiled the Centre’s strategic plan for 2025–2029, anchored on six thematic areas: energy transition; climate change adaptation and mitigation; climate-smart agriculture; water resources management; forestry and biodiversity; and environmental quality.
He noted that climate change remains a cross-cutting issue across all themes, adding that EfD Uganda will continue to work closely with stakeholders to ensure its research informs national policy and practical interventions.
Over the next five years, the Centre’s research will focus on land use and biodiversity conservation, climate-smart agriculture, climate change adaptation and mitigation, and energy transition-areas expected to generate evidence-based solutions for Uganda and the wider region.
Key stakeholders identified for collaboration include the National Planning Authority, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (Climate Finance Unit), the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, the Ministry of Water and Environment, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, and district local governments.
Major Achievements in 2025
Prof. Bbaale reported that the Centre concentrated its efforts on the three pillars of Makerere University: research, policy engagement, and training.
Policy Engagement
The Centre organised two high-level dialogues on climate-smart agriculture and a policy dialogue on e-mobility under the Inclusive Green Economy (IGE) programme.
“We chose e-mobility because it is a green mode of transport,” Prof. Bbaale said. “Through the IGE programme, we worked with senior civil servants and policymakers to explore how Uganda can transition to a greener economy.”
The programme also facilitated cross-country peer learning among Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. He cited Rwanda’s rapid electrification of motorcycles through taxation and subsidies, and Tanzania’s success in universal rural electrification, as key lessons.
Capacity Building
The Centre conducted more than ten training sessions for fellows, researchers, policymakers, and graduate students. It also recruited a funded postdoctoral fellow Dr. Gemeda Olani Akuma. from Ethiopia, to work on natural capital issues.
“Postdoctoral fellows are critical to knowledge generation,” Prof. Bbaale noted. “If Makerere strengthens its postdoctoral programme, our research output will more than triple.”
He referenced benchmarking visits to South African universities with strong postdoctoral systems, noting that Makerere is steadily moving toward becoming a research-led institution.
New Projects and Institutional Growth
EfD Uganda launched five new projects and expanded its institutional partnerships during the year. These included Sida-funded initiatives, a consultancy with GIZ, the Centre’s first MakRIF-funded project, and grants from the Gates Foundation and the Carnegie Corporation.
In institutional development, the Centre inaugurated 13 new advisory board members, strengthening governance and oversight. Prof. Bbaale also introduced the Centre’s core staff, praising their dedication and commitment to capacity building, including the mentorship of interns and teaching assistants some of whom have since joined institutions such as the Bank of Uganda.
Strengthening National and International Engagement
The Centre deepened collaboration with national institutions, including the National Planning Authority, the Ministry of Finance, Parliament, and the National Water and Sewerage Corporation. Among ongoing initiatives is a study aimed at improving bill payments at the utility to unlock new investments and service improvements.
EfD Uganda is also working with district local governments to build capacity in environmental valuation and natural capital accounting, supported by MakRIF funding from the Government of Uganda.. Trainings were conducted for districts in central Uganda and in Fort Portal.
At the international level, the Centre hosted visiting scholars, including Prof. Edwin Mchapondwa from the University of Cape Town, who trained government officials on community-based conservation, and Prof. Mark Purdon from the University of Montreal, who launched a book on carbon markets.
EfD’s Natural Capital Accounting Model Adopted by Government
A major highlight was the development of a natural capital accounting model, supported by GIZ and now adopted by the Ministry of Water and Environment. The Excel-based MoneyCap model, developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, UBOS, and the National Planning Authority, supports policy assessment by comparing investment scenarios in natural capital.
“This places us at another level,” Prof. Bbaale said, noting that the model aligns with global climate finance discourse and Africa’s emerging coalition of finance ministers for climate action.
Prof. Bbaale warned that Uganda’s agriculture sector must urgently adapt to climate realities, citing erratic rainfall and rising temperatures. He stressed that climate-smart agriculture is critical to safeguarding livelihoods and food security.
The Centre also celebrated the graduation of a new cohort of Inclusive Green Economy Fellows, supported by Sida, and announced five new grants, including a Carnegie-funded project on household and SME energy efficiency and a grant for climate-sensitive macroeconomic modelling and the Makerere Research and Innovation Fund (MakRIF) from the Government of Uganda
Commitment to Policy-Relevant Research
In his concluding remarks, Prof. Bbaale reaffirmed EfD Uganda’s mission to generate research that delivers practical solutions for policymakers and communities.
“Our work asks a fundamental question: how much natural capital are we depleting in the pursuit of growth?” he said. “That is the frontier we are working on.”
He thanked the Centre’s team for their dedication and contributions throughout the year.
Centre Reaffirms Commitment to Collaboration
Dr. Peter Babyenda, Policy Engagement Specialist, reaffirmed EfD Uganda’s commitment to collaboration with policymakers, academia, civil society, and the media.
“Policy engagement includes working with the media,” Dr. Babyenda said. “We remain open to partnerships and invite stakeholders to engage with us.”
He thanked participants for attending the annual reflection event and encouraged continued networking.
Jane Anyango is the Communication Officer, EfD-Mak Centre
-
General2 weeks agoPress Statement: Makerere University Congratulates Former Staff and Students on Successful Election to Public Office
-
General6 days agoCall for Applications: Admission to Postgraduate Programmes 2026/2027
-
General2 weeks agoPress Statement: Makerere 76th Graduation Ceremony
-
Natural Sciences7 days agoSimon Mungudit: Mak’s Best Performing Male Science Student & Rising Star in Petroleum Geoscience
-
Agriculture & Environment4 days agoFrom Adversity to Excellence: The Inspiring Journey of Makerere’s Best Science Student, Esther Ziribaggwa