Business & Management
EfD-Uganda Stakeholders Co-Creation Workshop Discusses Clean Energy Solutions for Small Holder Farmers
Members of the academia and EfD research fellows on 25th April, 2024 held a co-creation workshop with representatives from government ministries, civil society organization and the private sector to generate a context-relevant Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSMEs)-led model for supporting the transition to low-carbon ag-tech by smallholder farmers.
The EfD in collaboration with Partnership for Economic Policy (PEP) embarked on the study titled, “Clean Energy For Development: A Call For Action (CEDCA): Renewable Energy MSMEs operating to modernize agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa and South-East Asia: Barriers, opportunities, and implications for an inclusive low carbon transition”
The project funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) is being implemented in four countries namely; Burkina Faso, Kenya, Uganda, and Vietnam.
The EfD-Uganda project team is composed of Prof. Edward Bbaale, who is also centre Director, Dr. Aisha Nanyiti Lecturer, School of Economics, Dr. Florence Lwiza, Lecturer, School of Agricultural Sciences and Gyaviira Ssewankambo, Junior Research Fellow.
The objectives of the study were to establish the barriers and opportunities for the emergence of a vibrant MSME sector to support the use of modern energy technologies in agriculture for inclusion of women and youth in the ag-tech MSMEs value chains and to undertake rigorous tests of context-relevant models to support the transition to low-carbon agricultural technologies.
The study undertook a three phased approach namely the Diagnostic, Design and Test phases.
The Diagnostic phase whose findings were presented by Dr. Lwiza Florence sought to understand the state of affairs on the supply side and the demand side of the renewable ag-tech industry in Uganda. Among other things, the diagnostic phase sought to establish the type of ag-technologies supplied by the renewable ag-tech industry, the scale of supply-side players, State of women, youth, and other groups involvement on the ag-tech supply side, the type of ag-technologies demanded and needed by the farmers, the state of women, youth, and other groups involvement on the ag-tech demand side, barriers to up-take of low-carbon ag-techs and opportunities for supporting the emergence of a dynamic MSME-led transition to the use of low-carbon ag-techs.
The Test phase will involve rigorous impact evaluation of an MSME-led model.
In the Design phase, a Co-creation workshop with MSMEs and Stakeholders had a plenary session to generate a context-relevant MSMEs-led model for supporting the transition to low-carbon ag-tech by smallholder farmers.
Participants joined in a discussion on renewable energy projects in their organizations and their experiences with low-carbon ag-techs like solar or hybrid water pumps, batteries, generators, driers, fridges, and millers.
The research team also sought the stakeholders’ opinion about the effectiveness of sensitization programs in advancing the uptake of modern ag-technologies, their opinion of a fairly feasible MSMEs-led model for enhancing smallholder farmers, women, and youth uptake of modern ag-technologies plus any feedback or questions to the research team.
The workshop was officially opened and closed by the Director Directorate of Graduate Research and Training Prof. Edward Bbaale who is also Director EfD-Uganda. Bbaale emphasized the contribution of stakeholders a key to the project success.
“If we must do research that will change our society, then it is you, colleagues, that must work with us. If you don’t agree to work with us, then we shall be developing solutions and developing policy recommendations that will not actually serve the purpose.
And because of that, then we count on you continuously to work together, to craft together, to co-create together so that we can be on the point. We need to work together so that the results that we get and the recommendations can be usable by you, can be acceptable by you, and then in so doing we shall change our society and experience the true socio-economic transformation,” Bbaale stressed that in trying to understand many of the intricate aspects of the society and economy, the centres key focus is to work with stakeholders in government, the private sector and other non-public entities.
He stated that the issue of green transitions is a global question being approached from different aspects where energy and low carbon solutions occupy a very important space. Commending Government of Uganda for different initiatives promoting use of clean energy, Bbaale expressed the need for agriculturalists and those in the value chain to use renewable energy for production, processing, value addition and marketing.
“So if we are to transit, we must get a solution in terms of energy. We must get a solution for the energy at home, in the workplaces, in the industries and we must get a solution for the energy in the transport sector” he added and appreciated participants for the exchange of ideas especially the number of ideas on what other people are doing as far as SME energy solutions are concerned. He assured participants that in doing research, the center and university are open to ideas, and so was the reason for this workshop.
Makerere University, as an institution, Bbaale explained, is focused to becoming a research-led and innovation-driven institution. And because of that, he added Makerere is looking at research that interrogates into the different technologies and research that lead to new innovations.
“And I want to say that the type of work that we are doing in this research is about the energy solutions as they exist in the small and medium enterprises. And as a result, we are right in connection with you, stakeholders, in an attempt to address the problems that our society faces.”
It is now well known that the world is transiting, but now through the transition to low carbon solutions, research is at the core of what we are, what we must do and where we must go. The country is relying on us”, the professor said.
The approach to research he added is building with colleagues, through collaborations, making sure that the policy actors, the researchers from Makerere, people from government ministries SMEs, civil society, the private sector and others come together to craft a solution that is workable in the real world today.
Presenting the study overview Dr. Aisha Nanyiti explained that Climate change poses significant risks to farming households around the world but the risk is higher for SSA with about 600 million people living in severe energy poverty.
Households, according to Nanyiti, have limited potential to cope with climate risks. While not among the big emitters, Uganda’s climate action contributes to global climate efforts, and reduces the country’s vulnerability to spatial climate change effects, given the limited coping potential.
“Uganda’s agricultural sector contributes highest to its emissions and accounts for 53.3% of the GHG emissions. Low-carbon agricultural energy technologies are hence an indispensable fragment of Uganda’s energy transition.
However, the uptake of these technologies is low. Lack of access, affordability, knowledge of alternatives, and financing are cited as the key barriers to uptake”, Nanyiti said.
Dr. Nanyiti further explained that MSMEs can play a central role in driving the uptake of low-carbon ag – technologies. The highest proportion of Uganda’s MSMEs she reported are engaged in the agricultural sector with high potential for involvement of women and youth, potential adopters of ag-tech, and distribution of ag-tech, through innovative business models.
Participants appreciate the project, ready for further engagements
Key outputs from the stakeholders engagement included agitation for sensitization, relating the project to government initiatives and existing legal framework, scaling up the project, learning from other countries what they have done, the need for heavy polluters to pay more, use of carbon credits as incentives to SMEs using clean energy, targeting real users of clean energy and standardization of products to eliminate counterfeits.
Representing the Assistant commissioner Ministry of Water and Environment Nathan Mununuzi also Senior Environmental Officer, appreciated the project and expressed the need to look at government initiatives in regard to promoting clean energy to safe guard the environment and increasing agriculture productivity.
“I really appreciate so far what has been presented. These are real facts on the ground, and we look forward to further engagements. So far you’ve engaged the MSMEs, but you’ve not had the story of what initiatives government is putting in place in regard to that subject”.
He highlighted some of the government projects including the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfer that is supporting farmers with irrigation technologies and promoting solar powered irrigation schemes. Another one is the wetland restoration project engaging and encouraging farmers to voluntarily leave the wetlands, but give alternatives to grow high-value crops and fish ponds on the fringes of the wetlands and a green fund which can support some of those initiatives.
Representing the Commissioner Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, Micheal Ahimbisibwe a Senior Energy Officer, hailed the project team and implored them to consider numbers and percentages.
“I’m happy with the study myself and I would be very glad to read the detailed report. This was a summary and the summary usually doesn’t give a lot”.
Most of your observations were in terms of, more people agreeing to this, less people agreeing to this. It would do more in terms of percentages and numbers, so that it gives a very good comparison. Because more can be 70, can be 100. And then I think you also concentrated on a few technologies, mainly solar. There are many more technologies out there which are very helpful to agriculture sector than solar itself. Of course, everybody, when we talk about renewable, many people understand solar quickly because that’s what has been flushed into everybody’s mind.
Then there’s also the issue of the life cycle analysis. When we are deploying renewable energy it would be actually also important in value addition. When you are harvesting, you may need energy for harvesting. And I want to see you touching on that part”.
Ahimbisibwe clarified that the ministry designed a project that is supposed help the farmers and the companies have access to affordable financing, which will help them to deploy further and wider. The financing is structured in a way that the company which is dealing in renewable products can access the financing to expand their product line as well as the market range.
With established office countrywide this financing enables famers and SMES, get the renewable energy equipment that they would wish to have and pay back in small installments.
The other drawback was the research concentration in Kampala area, Wakiso and Entebbe which he argued do not have a lot of agricultural hinterland and therefore the agricultural inputs for which these companies are targeting to give out may not be so big. If the research team went out beyond this area, Ahimbisibwe reasoned, there’s more agriculture taking place there which can help the companies to sell much.
Ahimbisibwe reported that recently, government launched a free connections policy and got funding from World Bank to actualize that connection to anybody who is near an electricity pole and has never been connected but is willing.
“You can go and ask in your neighboring office to be connected, or even tell your friends and neighbors because the funding is available. What we are looking for are the people to be connected. But you must get your house wired properly for a connection to take place. But it is a free connection. If you are near a pole or you need one pole to your house, you can use that opportunity.”
And since this is an agricultural symposium, Ahimbisibwe explained it is linked to energy with a component of clean cooking. Uganda according to Ahimbisibwe is highly dependent on biomass for cooking and the Ministry is trying to advocate for alternatives to biomass by making sure that biomass is used sustainably, but also deploying other alternatives into the market such as LPG, ethanol and electricity for cooking.
Assistant Commissioner for Agribusiness in the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries Yusuf Ogwang said the use of clean energy is a worldwide initiative which is also being emphasized by government ministries, agencies and departments covering the whole value chain from production to marketing.
Ogwang noted because most of the technologies come from the National Research Organisation, the ministry was encouraging the private sector to produce some of these technologies, that are user-friendly by the farmers, and also that are clean energy.
The ministry he said implemented the agricultural transit development project, in production, encouraging farmers in many irrigation sites on the use of solar, renewable energy.
The ministry he added has zoned our agriculture and within each zone there is a center for demonstration picking up and most of the people are using solar for irrigation.
“And also in value addition, we discourage our farmers to use generators. Internationally it is not allowed. So we encourage them to use hydro power and also solar, clean energies. And this has picked up. This project supported so many farmers engaging in production, value addition and packaging”
He reported that government has a big project which is related to this one- the Uganda Climate Smart Agricultural Transformation Project covering about 70 districts all over the country. He called on the EfD researchers to join hands.
“… we should work together because there are so many things that you are doing here that we can borrow from you, and there are so many things that we are doing that you can borrow from us. Because this project is covering the whole value chain, animal, crops, animal stock, livestock, crops, and fisheries. Discovering all those value chains”.
The commissioner added that the ministry is now employing officers that have techniques in soil and land management. The project he said developed climate smart practices in coffee, plantations, and has five enterprises namely rice, beans, coffee, maize, and then cassava discouraging environmental degradation, in the whole value chain, from production up to marketing.
“In addition, the project is going to cover the whole areas of livestock, fisheries, and crop. So I think you are spot on. The only thing I want to emphasize is let’s work together. I think there’s a missing link. There are so many things we can do together so that we develop our farmers.”
Ogwang also appreciated the project presentations.
“I really like the presentation from my sister, Florence. Dr. Florence, you really put everything on the ground. Well put all those challenges, those are the real issues that are affecting our farmers. And then the recommendations, I was very happy with it”
Presentation on the Project overview and Diagnostic phase findings attached.
Jane Anyango is the Communication Officer EfD Uganda
Business & Management
Makerere University Signs MoU with World Association of Noonomy: Sets pace for the African Centre of Excellence
By Ritah Namisango and Monica Meeme
Makerere University has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the World Association of Noonomy, setting the pace for academic collaboration, research and the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Noonomy in Africa.
On behalf of Makerere University, the MoU was signed by Professor Sarah Ssali, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), during the World Congress on Noonomy held in Rome, Italy, from 16th-19th September 2026, paving the way for the establishment of a dedicated institute of Excellence for Noonomy at College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS).
Uganda was the only African country represented at the World Congress on Noonomy, with a Makerere University delegation including Prof. Sarah Ssali-Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Prof. Edward Bbaale-Principal College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Dr Peter Babyenda-Lecturer at the School of Economics and Policy Engagement Coordinator, College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), and Mr. Tonny Mayambala Sebbaggala, a Ugandan Economist based in Russia.
Commenting on the development, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe said, “By signing this MoU, the African Centre for Noonomy has been established at Makerere University. This adds to the growing number of African continental research centres that are coordinated by Makerere University. Makerere is clearly a leader on the Continent.”
The MoU signed on 19th September 2026 in Rome-Italy, builds on the inaugural conference on Noonomy, held in Uganda on 20th August 2026 at Makerere University under the theme, “The Theory of Noonomy and its Role in Resolving Modernity Issues: Pathways to Sustainable Social and Economic Transformation.”
At the Global Congress of the World Association of Noonomy, the scholars from Makerere University delivered three (3) presentations focusing on Noonomy and development challenges in East Africa, the transition from informal to formal employment, and the role of universities in advancing Noonomy.
About the Theory
The Theory of Noonomy is an emerging theoretical approach developed by Professor Sergey Bodrunov, Director of the S.Y. Witte Institute, which examines the changing relationship between knowledge, technology, production and human development. The theory places emphasis on knowledge and human potential as important drivers of development, while highlighting humanistic values and solidarity in shaping economic and social progress.
Advancing Alternative Economic Thought in Africa
Speaking at the Annual gathering in Rome, Prof. Sarah Ssali described Makerere University’s partnership as a great honour, highlighting the importance of creating space for broader theoretical perspectives on political economy and the global economy.
Reflecting on the evolution of political science and political economy studies, Prof. Ssali noted that following the era of Glasnost and Perestroika, free-market ideology and neoliberalism became increasingly dominant in global economic thinking.
“This dominance created a need for scholars to critically examine both the opportunities and limitations of market-based approaches,” she said.
She welcomed the opportunity to explore alternative ways of understanding the world, including not only the material relations of production, but also the material relations of consumption.
Prof. Ssali also acknowledged the Witte Institute for initiating the initiative and for choosing Makerere University as a key partner on the African continent.
She said Makerere University plans to establish a dedicated centre focused on the emerging area of study, with the institution aiming to launch the centre in February 2027.
“We hope the centre will become a leading African platform for research, teaching and dialogue on these issues,” she asserted.
Prof. Ssali noted that the ideas emerging from the Kampala meeting (held on 20th August 2026) are already being incorporated into Makerere University’s theoretical classes, with plans to substantially expand the initiative following the establishment of the centre of excellence.
She reaffirmed Makerere University’s commitment to the partnership and to expanding scholarly engagement on alternative approaches to political economy.
Call for Growth that Advances Social Welfare
Delivering the presentation titled: “The Role of Noonomy in Addressing Development Challenges in East Africa,” Prof. Edward Bbaale, Principal of the Makerere University College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), explored the potential of Noonomy as an alternative framework for understanding and addressing persistent development challenges in East Africa.
Prof. Bbaale noted that the approach contributes to emerging academic discussions on how economic systems can better connect economic growth with social wellbeing and inclusive development outcomes in the region.
“The study contributes to emerging academic discussions on how economic systems can better link economic growth with social wellbeing and inclusive development outcomes in the region,” he said.
The paper was co-authored with Dr Peter Babyenda and formed part of the scholarly contributions presented at the World Congress on Noonomy in Rome, Italy.
Prioritizing Human-Centred Development
Dr Peter Babyenda said Makerere University’s participation in the World Congress on Noonomy in Rome marked an important step in the University’s international engagement with the Theory of Noonomy.
“The engagement paves the way for establishing a Centre of Excellence for Noonomy at the School of Economics, under the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS),” he stated.
Dr Babyenda explained that the Theory of Noonomy places human welfare at the centre of development, arguing that development should be assessed not only through productivity and infrastructure, but also by how it improves people’s wellbeing.
He said consumption, knowledge transfer and solidarity are important considerations, including in the application of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence.
Dr Babyenda revealed that Uganda has been offered an opportunity to host an upcoming World Congress on Noonomy, which he said could bring together participants from more than 55 countries and create opportunities for academic exchange, industry engagement and international visibility for Uganda.
He called upon the academia and industry to collaborate with Makerere University in advancing its engagement with the emerging field.
The Signing of the MoU at the Global Congress of the World Association of Noonomy marks a milestone in Makerere University’s efforts to contribute to international scholarly discussions on alternative approaches to understanding economic systems and development.
Business & Management
CoBAMS, European Partners Launch Programme to Equip Students with Polycrisis Management Skills
By Hasifa Kabejja and Ritah Namisango
Makerere University, through the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), in collaboration with international partners, is implementing a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) aimed at equipping a new generation of professionals in Africa and Europe with the knowledge and practical skills needed to understand and respond to complex, interconnected global crises.
Held under the PolyCIVIS network, the programme, titled Enhancing Skills in Polycrisis Management: African and European Approaches, brings together participants from Makerere University, the University of Salzburg, the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, and Universidad Autónoma de Madrid.
It was competitively secured under the 6th Call for CIVIS Blended Intensive Programmes by the Makerere PolyCIVIS team, comprising Prof. Edward Bbaale from the School of Economics, CoBAMS; Dr. Anthony Tibaingana from the School of Business, CoBAMS; and Dr. Kamatara Kanifa from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES).
The European facilitators include Prof. Gudrun Zagel, Dr. Sabine Hennig, and Dr. Roman Puff, all from Paris-Lodron University of Salzburg, Austria.
Tackling the Growing Reality of Polycrises
Funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ Programme under the Jean Monnet Networks, the initiative responds to the growing reality of polycrises – situations in which multiple crises, including climate change, pandemics, displacement, poverty, environmental degradation and economic instability, interact and compound one another, often resulting in consequences more severe than those of individual crises.
The BIP Workshop at Makerere University
The BIP combines virtual and physical learning to give participants both theoretical grounding and hands-on experience in polycrisis management.
During the virtual component conducted in May 2026, participants including students and academics from the participating institutions worked in interdisciplinary teams to analyze real-world scenarios, including climate disasters, refugee crises, pandemics and urban waste management. The students were required to develop and present polysolutions from the perspectives of different stakeholders, including governments, civil society and academic institutions.
The physical component, taking place in Kampala from 7th-11th September 2026, brings together students from across CIVIS consortium universities to complete the remaining course content, participate in practical activities, and develop solutions to real-world polycrisis challenges. It also provides participants with an opportunity to examine real-life Ugandan cases, including the Kitezi landfill disaster and the Bulambuli landslides. Through these case studies, students will explore how crises intersect with public health, environmental protection, poverty, security, and sustainable development, while gaining practical insights into integrated approaches to crisis management.
On the first day of the training, participants undertook an excursion to the Kiteezi Landfill. During the week, they will also engage with experts from the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), civil society and academia, and work in thematic groups to explore the legal, economic, sociological, historical, communication and educational dimensions of Kampala’s waste management challenges.
The teams will subsequently develop a Kampala waste policy paper and accompanying presentations, proposing integrated approaches to addressing the city’s waste crisis.
The learning approach incorporates case studies, simulations, role-play, guest lectures, peer learning, interdisciplinary teamwork, and problem-based learning. Participants are encouraged to move beyond identifying problems to developing practical and sustainable solutions.
Call for Integrated Approaches to Complex Global Challenges
Officially opening the programme, Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration), Prof. Henry Mwanaki Alinaitwe commended the team for securing the programme.
Addressing participants, he emphasized the need for universities to move beyond fragmented approaches to problem-solving and develop integrated responses to increasingly complex global challenges.
“Interconnected problems cannot be adequately addressed through fragmented solutions,” Prof. Nawangwe observed, stressing the importance of collaboration across disciplines, institutions, sectors and countries.
He noted that no single discipline or institution possesses all the knowledge required to address the challenges confronting societies today, calling for stronger integration of fields such as economics, public health, environmental science, engineering, governance, technology and the social sciences.
Embracing Innovative and Sustainable “Polysolutions”
Prof. Nawangwe further emphasized the importance of developing innovative and sustainable “polysolutions”- integrated responses that address multiple, interconnected crises while minimizing unintended consequences across other sectors.
He underscored the value of combining African and European perspectives, noting that while crises may manifest differently across regions because of differences in history, institutions and resources, challenges such as climate change, migration, pandemics, conflict and economic instability increasingly transcend national boundaries.
He described the partnership as an opportunity for mutual learning and co-creation of knowledge, rather than a one-way transfer of expertise.
“We must bring these experiences into conversation and determine what works, under what circumstances, and how solutions can be adapted to different social, economic and institutional contexts,” Prof. Nawangwe said.
Collaboration Beyond the Blended Intensive Programme
The Vice Chancellor expressed hope that the collaboration would extend beyond the BIP into joint research, publications, teaching, student supervision and other sustained academic initiatives.
He challenged the participants to make the most of the opportunity by learning across disciplinary boundaries, questioning established assumptions and focusing on solutions.
“The world you are preparing to lead will require people who can understand complexity, work across institutional and disciplinary boundaries, and convert knowledge into practical responses,” he said.
Ebola Outbreak Demonstrates the Interconnected Nature of Modern Crises
The Vice Chancellor further observed that the postponement of the physical component of the training following the outbreak of Ebola underscored the interconnected nature of modern crises. He noted that a health emergency can quickly disrupt education, international mobility, economic activity and institutional planning.
Appreciation by the Vice Chancellor
He commended the PolyCIVIS team and partner universities for bringing the initiative to fruition, expressing confidence that the programme would generate practical and innovative polysolutions to some of the challenges facing societies.
Strengthening international academic collaboration
In his capacity as Principal of CoBAMS, Prof. Edward Bbaale described the programme as a significant reflection of the College’s commitment to fostering an integrated approach to teaching, research, policy engagement and international collaboration.
He noted that the increasingly complex challenges facing society require institutions and professionals to transcend geographical and disciplinary boundaries and collaborate across diverse fields of expertise.
Prof. Bbaale further highlighted the value of bringing Makerere students and faculty into direct engagement with colleagues and practitioners from partner universities.
“Such engagements enrich the learning experience while creating opportunities for sustained collaboration in research, teaching and student supervision. For Makerere University, the programme represents a practical expression of its internationalization agenda, creating opportunities for students and academics from different countries to exchange knowledge, share expertise and work together to address complex societal challenges.”
Preparing future leaders for complex challenges
The programme seeks to enable learners to identify, assess and manage polycrisis situations in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while building competencies in addressing the social, environmental and economic dimensions of crises.
It also aims to develop practical skills in designing and evaluating integrated policies and polysolutions, including effective communication and public awareness strategies.
Ultimately, the initiative seeks to strengthen participants’ critical thinking, digital, spatial and 21st-century skills while promoting interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary collaboration.
The BIP also serves as a pilot initiative for the planned Joint Master’s Programme on Managing Polycrises under the PolyCIVIS framework.
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