Business & Management
Makerere Presents Nepal’s Community Forest Management Model to Government Agencies
In 2023, the Ugandan team comprising Dr. Peter Babyenda of Makerere University EfD-Mak Centre, Christine Mugyenyi and Rukundo Tom from the National Forest Authority went to Nepal to study the Community Forest Management Model. The study tour was funded by EfD Global Hub and the National forestry Authority Uganda.
The study tour was one of the activities of EfD Forest Collaborative Peer Learning Project on Community Forestry aimed at deepening the understanding on community-based forestry management and sharing ideas and experiences regarding forestry among the participant countries.
This study was timely given the current efforts by Ugandan government to increase the forest cover to 24% by 2040. Through community forest management, the people of Nepal have been able to increase their forest cover to 45% from 29% in 1992.
As such, Nepal provides a practical example of how the community can be empowered to manage forests and significantly contribute to the general growth of forest cover in the county. The leadership of the forest user groups also act as training ground for the national leadership and as a result, the national leadership also participates in the sustainable utilization of forests.
Nepal presents an interesting scenario demystifying practices in many other countries where local people are seen as enemies of forests. Through Community Forest User Groups (CFUG), Nepal’s model demonstrates how local people, are at the forefront of protecting forests in Nepal.
The experiences from Nepal should act as the guide to successful forest management in other countries including Uganda. In addition, the study tour was informative with vast knowledge attained from different stakeholders on implementation of community forestry.
The study tour involved meetings with the different stakeholders, field visits in some of the community forests and experiencing the Nepalese culture through visiting religious and cultural sites. The 5 days program was under the guidance of the Forest Action – Nepal and coordinated by Professor Randy.
The tour started with the visit to Kalopani Community Forestry User Group (CFUG), which is in a mountainous site in Kavre District. The team visited a second CFUG on the way to our meeting with the Kavre Divisional Forestry Office, which has jurisdiction over Kalopani CFUG. The team also visited Kavre Divisional Forestry Office and held discussions with the Dean of the Tribhuvan University Institute of Forestry.
EfD-Mak centers disseminates study findings to government agencies
Research fellows from EfD-Mak centre from Makerere University on 27th February 2024, went to the Ministry of Water and Environment to disseminate information on lessons learnt from Nepal’s community forest management.
The workshop hosted by the ministry’s headquarters in Luzira, was attended by over 30 forestry officials from government ministries, departments and agencies including the National forest Authority, Uganda world life Authority and National Environmental Management Authority.
While officially opening the workshop on behalf of the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Water and Environment, The Commissioner, Environment Sector Support Services Stephen Mugabi hailed the EfD Mak center for the continued partnership that was initiated with the ministry.
Noting that the mandate of managing the environment lies within the ministry, Mugabi said it was the right decision that the centre decided to link up with the ministry.
“When you generate information and you don’t share it, and archive it, it will not be useful. Once information is disseminated and gets to the stakeholders, they get knowledge that is then transformed into action. And the moment knowledge is transformed into action, then we see the knowledge changing livelihoods of communities”, He explained adding that:
“Today you have been recruited as ambassadors of the EfD-Mak Centre. You are receiving information how people in Nepal manage their forests and we expect you to disseminate it further to the people whom you live with.” Mugabi emphasised
Mugabi expressed the need for participants to understand the definitions of a community forest away from the standard definition of a forest on grounds that the way the community understands the forest is far different and has many values attached.
The Director EfD-Mak centre who is also Director, Directorate of Makerere University Graduate Research and Training Prof. Edward Bbaale appreciated the EfD Global hub funded by Sida, for sponsoring the Peer Learning Project for Community Forestry for policy makers and researchers, with a visit to Nepal.
“Today marks a significant moment as our colleagues share insights from their visit to Nepal’s community forest model, a success story empowering communities to manage nearby forests sustainably.
Nepal’s model granting legal rights to use and manage forest resources, stand as an exemplary solution against deforestation – a lesson we find particularly relevant given Uganda’s challenges”, Bbaale said.
Prof. Bbaale also noted that with 70% of the total forest cover under private land and the prevalent use of firewood and charcoal, Uganda faces alarming rates of forest losses.
“The presentation today is timely source of inspiration for policy makers and researchers, demonstrating the positive impact of involving local communities in decision making and forest management, addressing both environmental concerns and social inequalities,” Bbaale stressed.
He extended gratitude to the Ministry of Water and Environment for hosting the engagement at their headquarters and commended the enduring collaboration between EfD-Mak Centre and the Ministry.
Bbale also extended appreciation to the ministry and government for supporting the Inclusive Green Economy program for senior public servants. The Director, Stephen Mugabi represents the Ministry on the EfD-Mak Advisory Committee. The ministry appointed Commissioner Moreen Anino on the first cohort of the IGE fellows.
Uganda’s Inclusive Green Economy Engagement Specialist and research fellow Dr. Peter Babyenda said, in 2023, the team went for a study tour in Nepal to learn on the successful community forest management practices that Nepal had employed to increase their forest cover 29% in 1990 to 45% in 2013.
Contrary, Uganda’s forestry cover has decreased from 24% in 1990 to now 13% and, in 2010, the forest cover had further decreased to 9%.
He said, it was deemed appropriate to share the study findings with the ministry’s agencies who hold the country’s natural resources in trust of the people of Uganda.
“We learnt that that once you organise the people, tell them what to do and the importance and gains from the forest, they will take care of the forest, and if you do something detrimental to the forest, you are punished as a community member.
Communities that stay near forests have records of everyone including their photos and they will get to know who does what. They have a well organised inclusive leadership comprising 50% men and female, very transparent with books of accounts that are audited.
We even visited the university that trains leaders so they do capacity building of their leaders together with the department of forestry and wild life and ministry of forestry”, Babyenda explained.
Nepal has about 22,000 community forest user groups benefiting about 2.9million households. The community manages about 2.2million hectares of forest.
Babyenda reported that the community forest management model in Nepal has contributed to forest restoration and made it easy to mobilize the community to ensure that degraded forests are restored. This , he added was evidenced by the increase in the forest cover from 29% in 1992 to the current 45%.
The model according to Babyenda, has contributed to community infrastructure and livelihood benefits because CFUGs are used as a vehicle to community development evidenced by several community development projects seen.
Further, Babyenda explained that not only does Nepal’s model contribute to ecosystem functioning and protection, it has contributed to mitigation and adaptation to climate change largely, due to the maintenance of forests that absorb carbon but also regulates temperature.
“The model contributes to household income generation through the sale of forest products in a sustainable way. The households are aware of the consequences of mismanaging forests and thus utilize them in a sustainable way.
This is commendable and other countries like ours need to take lessons”. Babyenda noted and commended Nepal for the inclusive leadership with at least half of the leadership of the user groups being female.
Key Lessons from Nepal’s Community Forest Management Model for Uganda
The existence of a legal body, (FECOFUN- Federation for Community Forestry Users, Nepal) has enabled voicing the rights of community adjacent groups. The CSO has played a very important advocacy role on the rights of women, elders, and marginalized groups. It has also played an important role of influencing forest related polices in Nepal.
UNETCOFA a CSO was established in Uganda in 2006, to unite CFMs but lacked legal barking and has not done much work in relation to CFM networks. The lesson learnt is to involve the Ministry of Water and Environment to revive UNETCOFA.
FECOFUN has created a strong network with the CFUGs, and this enables the groups implement their roles and responsibilities which has minimized non-compliance to the operational plans of the community forests. Commitment by the CFUGs households to protect, restore and conserve forests has largely been informed by previous calamities like earthquakes and floods which is not the case for Uganda.
Value addition on forest products like timber, fodder and herbs has increased the income and created some jobs for the CFUGs.
Community Forestry in Nepal has thrived on many different models for instance knowledge production and knowledge use in forestry and the presence of homogenous society. Improving livelihoods where forest conservation meets the demands of local communities provides an overall incentive for sustainable conservation including safeguarding essential ecosystem services.
Having a dynamic, diverse, and respected leadership within community groups increases chances of success as is the case for some CFUGs in Nepal. Involvement of women in use of forest resources recognizes the importance of having women represented in decision- making and giving women a voice has allowed them to actively participate in conservation activities.
Benefit sharing through wealth ranking to target the poor for support is very key and can minimize elite capture. In addition, sharing of benefits/ income accrued from sale of forest products in percentages for instance 25% is invested in forest management was a key lesson to learn.
CFUGs coordination with local government to put up infrastructural development like schools or road construction from the income attained from the sale of forest resources was a key lesson learnt.
Community Forestry has contributed to ecosystem functioning through provision of fresh water supply to the households and for agricultural purposes. Most forest adjacent communities in Nepal access piped water from the forest for both domestic uses including watering animals and irrigation of crops. This has enabled conservation of water sources and regulation of waste discharge.
Alternative energy/ biomass source in Nepal is at 60%. People are increasingly using LPGs, electricity, petroleum gas etc. This has decreased fuelwood usage in Nepal. The lesson is that GoU need to reduce costs of gas and electricity to enable less dependency on fuelwood from forests.
Activities implemented during the study tour
Babyenda reported that, activities implemented during the Nepal study tour involved meeting the Federation of Community Forest Users Nepal (FECOFUN) executive members during which it was noted that FECOFUN was founded and legally recognized in July 1995 as a social movement organized which later became a civil society organization. It was formed after the legal recognition of Community Forestry in Nepal in 1992 and realization for the urgency to advocate for the rights of the people. It is established in all the 77 districts in the country with over 22,000 Community Forest User Groups are affiliated to FECOFUN and managing 2.2m ha that is; 25% of the forest cover which is contributed under community forestry of the overall forest cover of 45% with 2.9million H/Hs benefiting from community forestry.
The team also held a meeting with the departments of Forests and Soil Conservation-Nepal and Department of National Parks and Wildlife conservation. The forest management model indicated that Community Forests are part of the National Forests handed over to the traditional users for its conservation, utilization, and management guided by the Forest Act, 2076(2019AD), Forest Regulation 2079 (2023AD) and community guideline 2071.
The department guides the CFUG in facilitation done through formation of forest user groups and implementing biological diversity, conservation and climate change adaptation related activities and Legal support through identifying, developing, and managing potential forest areas in accordance with the prevailing laws, rules and policies, Community Forest user group registration and Community Forest handover.
Babyenda said the team made field visits to Kalapani community forest and in Shiba Community Forest and the CFUG members. The Community members mainly utilize forest resources like firewood, fodder, grass, timber, and medicinal plants and performs various roles.
In a meeting at the Institute of Forestry- Nepal with the Dean of forestry and the college staff. Babyenda explained that they shared information on Community forestry on how Community forestry has contributed to forest restoration, community infrastructure and livelihood benefits and ecosystem functioning among others.
Detailed report on study findings is attached.
Jane Anyango is the Communication Officer EfD Uganda
Business & Management
PIM Centre Holds 9th Steering Committee Meeting, Set to Benefit from World Bank Support
The Public Investment Management (PIM) Centre of Excellence at Makerere University today, October 10th, 2025, held its 9th Steering Committee Meeting to review progress made in the first quarter of the financial year and plan for the months ahead.
The meeting was chaired by Ms. Getrude Basiima, who represented Mr. Hannington Ashaba, Director Budget at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED). Ms. Basiima commended the Centre for its continued commitment to strengthening public investment management capacity across government institutions.
In her remarks, Ms. Basiima applauded the Centre for successfully hosting the Public Investment Management Conference held in August at Makerere University. The conference attracted key policymakers, development partners, and academics who deliberated on how to enhance the efficiency, sustainability, and impact of public investments in Uganda.
She further shared exciting news that the Government of Uganda has secured funding from the World Bank to support the public investment management function. The PIM Centre, she announced, will be among the key beneficiaries of these funds — receiving support for the construction and acquisition of a permanent home to enhance its institutional sustainability and training capacity.
Reviewing the Centre’s quarterly performance, Ms. Basiima congratulated the team for successfully conducting three specialized trainings in the first quarter, reaching officials from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. These trainings continue to strengthen the technical competencies required for effective project preparation, appraisal, and implementation in line with Uganda’s National Development Plan.
She encouraged the Centre to integrate climate change considerations into its future training programmes, noting that sustainable public investment must now account for environmental resilience and climate adaptation.
The centre team presented the proposed structure/ organogram, the financial performance of 2024/2025, research areas for 2025/2026 and the strategic plan for 2025 – 2030.
The Steering Committee reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the PIM Centre’s vision of becoming a regional leader in building capacity for efficient, transparent, and sustainable public investment management.
Business & Management
Breaking Boundaries in Doctoral Training: COBAMS PhD Colloquium Unites, Equips, and Empowers Scholars
By Moses Lutaaya
Makerere University, COBAMS Conference Hall – Friday, October 3, 2025
In a closing address at the COBAMS Annual Doctoral Colloquium, Prof. Julius Kikooma, Director of the Directorate of Graduate Training (DGT) at Makerere University, urged PhD students to view their research as a vital tool in solving Uganda’s and Africa’s most pressing societal problems.
He reminded students and faculty that doctoral training at Makerere is no longer just an academic exercise, but a strategic national investment.
“PhD is not just about writing a thesis—it is about writing the future of our country, our continent, and indeed our planet,” Prof. Kikooma told participants. “Your research must be part of the solution to the challenges we face as a society.”
Prof. Kikooma began his remarks by reflecting warmly on his longstanding ties with COBAMS, describing it as “home” both professionally and collegially. He praised the college leadership for their foresight in organizing the doctoral colloquium and aligning it with the broader vision of the Directorate of Graduate Training and Makerere University.
He also noted the synergy between the colloquium’s theme and the Directorate’s recent graduate student induction theme which focused on “Positioning Graduate Training in National and Global Trends.” He said that this alignment reflects a growing institutional commitment to making graduate education more responsive to real-world challenges.
Prof. Kikooma emphasized the critical role that doctoral students play in shaping Uganda’s development trajectory.
“While the decision to pursue a PhD is personal, the outcomes of your research must not be. They must become part of our national assets,” he stated.
He encouraged students to look beyond the traditional confines of academia and to consider how their work can inform policy, address community needs, and contribute to sustainable development. In particular, he highlighted urgent national issues such as food insecurity, climate-related disasters, youth unemployment, and underutilized demographic dividends.
“We live in a country where a single flood can disrupt the entire economy. We have fertile soils but continue to face food insecurity. We are a youthful country, but we fear the youth because we lack solutions to productively engage them,” Prof. Kikooma said. “These are problems your research should address.”
Prof. Kikooma also used the platform to announce several ongoing reforms at Makerere aimed at improving the doctoral training experience. These include the introduction of an almanac—a structured academic guide outlining semester-by-semester expectations and milestones for PhD candidates.
He said the reforms were not designed to make the PhD journey easier, but to eliminate unnecessary administrative obstacles and ensure students can complete their programs within the planned three-year period.
“The university is ready for you. We are committed to ensuring that your journey is as smooth administratively as possible,” he affirmed. “But for that to happen, you must play your part.”
Additionally, the Directorate has introduced mandatory credit-based activities beyond thesis writing, such as producing policy briefs and participating in public engagement forums, aimed at equipping students with practical communication and policy translation skills.
Prof. Kikooma proudly noted that Makerere University remains Uganda’s—and the region’s—leading institution in doctoral training. He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to becoming a “trainer of trainers”, emphasizing that no other local institution currently matches Makerere’s capacity in handling doctoral studies.
He called for greater collaboration between students, academic units, and the Directorate, describing DGT as an administrative coordinator that works to support frontline colleges like COBAMS in delivering quality doctoral education.
“We are not just about policy. We are your partners in this journey,” he emphasized. “And together, we can make your research work not just for your academic growth, but for the greater good of the country.”
In his remarks, Associate Professor James Wokadala, Deputy Principal of COBAMS, emphasized the significance of the colloquium, calling it a “timely catalyst” in the academic calendar. He applauded the leadership of the Doctoral School, the Directorate of Graduate Training (DGT), and the organizing team for mainstreaming graduate research into the college’s strategy.
“This initiative aligns perfectly with the university’s focus on graduate training and knowledge regeneration. As a college, we are strategically investing in platforms that enable researchers to contribute meaningfully to academia and society,” Prof. Wokadala said. Drawing from his own PhD journey, he encouraged students to remain resilient and proactive, reminding them that while facilitators provide the spark, “over 90% of the work must be done by the student.”
Prof. Wokadala also paid tribute to Dr. Kasim Sendawula, who was recognized for his voluntary coordination of doctoral activities at both school and college levels. “Dr. Sendawula is a true academic servant — committed, approachable, and selfless. We are grateful for his contribution,” he said.
Prof. Godfrey Akileng, Dean of the School of Business at COBAMS, echoed similar sentiments, applauding the organizing committee and student scholars for their enthusiasm and sacrifice throughout the three-day session. He offered special appreciation to students who, despite personal commitments or distances, showed up without fail. “Some of you paused political campaigns just to be present here. That’s how much this matters,” he noted.
Prof. Akileng formally introduced his graduate coordination team, including Dr. Caroline Twanjire, a recent PhD graduate from Hanyang University in Korea, who will now assist at the school level. He also announced changes in the Master’s coordination team and used the moment to advocate for institutional recognition of voluntary academic roles such as program cordinators. “Mainstreaming these roles in the university structure would enhance efficiency and further strengthen the graduate training ecosystem,” he emphasized.
To the PhD students, Prof. Akileng reaffirmed his commitment. “We are here to serve you. If something is delaying your progress, walk into any school — we are one college, one academic family.”
Dr. Kasim Sendawula, Coordinator of PhD Students at COBAMS, offered a structured evaluation of the colloquium under the theme “Interrogating Knowledge Frontiers: Doctoral Research as a Catalyst for Theory and Practice.” He noted that the program had successfully covered the doctoral journey — from research conceptualization to manuscript development for publication.
“We used a participatory approach that allowed rich engagement with experienced supervisors and presenters. The feedback from students confirms that the structure, content, and delivery were impactful,” Dr. Sendawula stated.
He highlighted key areas appreciated by participants, such as the quality of presenters, sessions on data collection and writing, and the interactive format. Suggestions for improvement included more days, clearer participant evaluation mechanisms, and additional data analysis sessions, which the organizing team committed to explore in future planning.
“This programme has been a success because of your active engagement. Let’s keep the momentum, and we promise to offer you more tailored academic support going forward,” Dr. Sendawula concluded.
Adding the voice of the doctoral students, Ms. Sylvia Namujuzi, Vice President of then newly formed COBAMS PhD Forum, expressed heartfelt appreciation to the university leadership, facilitators, and organizing committee on behalf of the PhD student body. She described the colloquium as “a rigorous but transformative space of learning, reflection, and growth.”
“This gathering has empowered us with insights not just to enhance our academic work, but also to transform our institutions and contribute to society,” she said.
Ms. Namujuzi extended executive committee’s’ gratitude to Professor Edward Bbaale, Principal of COBAMS, for championing the creation of the COBAMS PhD Forum — a unifying platform for scholars across the three schools to collaborate and support each other. She also acknowledged the Dean of the School of Business, Prof. Akileng, for opening the colloquium to the entire college, recognizing the growing need for cross-disciplinary dialogue among PhD scholars.
She thanked the facilitators, both present and in absentia, for generously sharing knowledge, and credited the organizing committee for their tireless work behind the scenes. Special appreciation went to her fellow student leaders, including Mr. Okelo George (President), Mr. Emmanuel Othieno (Finance), and others managing secretarial, coordination, and publicity roles across schools.
Student representative Mr. Vanecious Bbale Kirwana delivered a heartfelt message of appreciation on behalf of the PhD cohort, capping off three transformative days of intellectual engagement, mentorship, and peer collaboration.
Thanking the university and college leadership for both creating and actively supporting the forum, Mr. Kirwana emphasized the importance of in-person interaction, noting how the physical gathering fostered academic bonding and peer support among doctoral students.
Commending the emergence of organic student-led initiatives — such as a newly formed data analysis platform — Mr. Kirwana encouraged further informal groupings and knowledge-sharing spaces among students, building on the momentum of the colloquium.
“Let’s continue to create more spaces for learning among ourselves. That, in itself, is one of the greatest outcomes of this gathering,” he concluded.
Business & Management
PIM Centre Awards Certificates to Over 35 Officials Trained in Essentials of Public Investment Management
The Public Investment Management (PIM) Centre of Excellence at Makerere University has awarded certificates to more than 35 public officials who successfully completed a three-day training in the Essentials of Public Investment Management (PIM).
The training, held from September 23rd to 26th, 2025 at the College of Business and Management Sciences, aimed at strengthening the capacity of government officials to effectively identify, prepare, and implement public projects.
The closing ceremony was officiated by Ms. Belinda Bisamaza, who represented the Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Treasury (PS/ST). In her remarks, Ms. Bisamaza commended participants for their commitment, noting that the training had offered a solid foundation in the entire PIM cycle — from project conceptualization and profiling, through monitoring and evaluation (M&E), to the use of the Integrated Bank of Projects (IBP), Environmental and Social Risk Management, and Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).
“With these skills, you can contribute meaningfully to improving the quality of proposals submitted to the IBP, ensure better risk management, and enhance implementation through robust monitoring frameworks,” she said, adding that participants were now better prepared for advanced modules on financial appraisal, risk analysis, and stakeholder engagement.
Representing the PIM Centre, Prof. Eria Hisali highlighted the need for well-prepared projects that directly contribute to economic growth. “We must move away from the practice of developing projects only when funding is required. Instead, we should create a strong bank of quality projects from which government can easily draw,” he said.
The Manager of the PIM Centre, Dr. John Sseruyange, expressed gratitude to the participants and trainers for their dedication. He noted that the facilitators were drawn from Makerere University, the National Planning Authority (NPA), and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED). Dr. Sseruyange also revealed that the Centre would be rolling out further in-depth training modules and creating opportunities for alumni to engage in consultancy and research work. The PIM Centre hosts the training as part of broader efforts by Makerere University, MoFPED, and NPA to strengthen Uganda’s public investment management systems, ensuring value for money, improved service delivery, and sustainable economic development.
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