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
EfD Launches $30,000 Carnegie CECAP-funded Research Project on Household and SME Energy Efficiency in Uganda
Kampala, Uganda – May 15, 2025
The Environment for Development (EfD) initiative at Makerere University has launched a two-year research project aimed at studying energy demand and efficiency among Ugandan households and small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The project, supported by a $30,000 grant from the Carnegie Corporation under the CECAP program, officially kicked off with an inception workshop held at the EfD Mak conference room on Wednesday.
Dr. Peter Babyenda, a postdoctoral researcher and lead investigator on the project, said the study will focus on identifying the key drivers of energy consumption at the household and SME level, particularly within the manufacturing sector. “We are investigating what factors determine energy use—whether it’s charcoal, LPG, or electricity—and how that use can be made more efficient,” he said.
The research is being conducted under the mentorship of Prof. Edward Bbaale, Director of EfD-Mak, and is part of a larger initiative under the Makerere University Directorate of Research and Graduate Training led by Principal Investigator Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi who also serves as Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs)
The project aims to provide evidence-based policy and awareness messages to improve energy efficiency in Uganda, amid rising electricity costs and population growth. “The only sustainable way to address rising energy costs is through improved efficiency,” Dr. Babyenda emphasized.
The workshop brought together stakeholders from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, energy engineers, economists, and researchers from institutions such as the Economic Policy Research Centre. Their input is expected to help refine the study tools and shape data collection strategies.
Dr. Babyenda noted that the team will now revise its research instruments based on feedback from the workshop, and submit the tools for ethical review by the CoBAMS Research Ethics Committee. Field data collection is slated to begin in early June.
The study, selected through a highly competitive process that saw only 25 projects funded, is expected to culminate in two peer-reviewed publications and a comprehensive report. Dissemination efforts will target both policymakers and end users, including the Ministry of Energy and relevant community stakeholders.
“This project is a milestone for us at EfD-Mak. We are excited to contribute research that has the potential to influence national energy policy,” Dr. Babyenda said.
Dean Calls for Deeper Stakeholder Engagement and Practical Insight
The Dean of the School of Economics at Makerere University, Assoc. Prof. Mike Ibrahim Okumu, called for greater alignment between academic research and practical stakeholder perspectives in energy studies.
Congratulating Dr. Peter Babyenda and his team for securing the $30,000 research grant, Prof. Ibrahim praised the initiative as a reflection of both academic rigor and practical relevance.
“My understanding of inception workshops is that they are meant to test whether your conceptualization aligns with stakeholder perspectives,” he said. “The quality of feedback you receive depends on the quality of stakeholders you engage.”
Prof. Ibrahim emphasized the importance of engaging engineers in the electricity sector, arguing that understanding operational mechanisms is essential for any discussion on energy efficiency. “Efficiency is not just an economic concept—it’s grounded in how energy systems work, and that’s an engineering issue,” he noted.
He encouraged the research team to use the stakeholder feedback to refine their research tools and conceptual framework. Drawing from personal experience, he recounted how a paper he published in the Policy Review Journal originated directly from stakeholder insights gained during a previous inception workshop.
The Dean also stressed the need for inclusive dissemination strategies. “For any research to have real impact, it must involve the end users not just at the point of output but from inception through to delivery,” he said. “If you don’t speak to the people who use the energy, you lose the entire purpose of the research.”
Prof. Ibrahim closed by extending gratitude to all participants and reaffirming the School of Economics’ support for the EfD center. “What we’ve earned today are not just discussions, but deep mental insights that will shape this project going forward,” he concluded.
Participants Urge Deeper Energy Awareness and Policy Integration
Key stakeholders from government and academia called for enhanced public awareness and integrated energy policies
Esther Fiona Atek, an Energy Officer from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, underscored the ministry’s interest in the project findings. “While we know how much residences consume, we’re particularly interested in how that breaks down between rural and urban areas, and within specific uses like cooking and lighting,” Atek said. “The research will inform future policies to promote energy-efficient technologies both in households and SMEs.”
Atek emphasized the study’s potential to support the ministry’s mandate to drive energy efficiency in the residential, commercial, and agricultural sectors. She highlighted the need for disaggregated data that can guide technology promotion and tailor interventions to actual consumption patterns.
Meanwhile, Dr. Abubaker Matovu Wasswa, Head of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Makerere University, called for broader public education on energy types and uses. “People often limit solar energy to lighting, yet it can do so much more. We must understand the different forms of energy—biomass, petroleum, LPG, solar—and how each can be used efficiently,” he said.
Dr. Wasswa stressed that energy sustainability requires a cultural shift in how Ugandans perceive and utilize various energy sources. “If we don’t educate users on energy efficiency across all forms, we risk wasting valuable resources and missing out on long-term sustainability,” he warned.
The EfD-led research project aims to provide actionable data and recommendations to improve energy efficiency across Uganda. Fieldwork is expected to begin in June 2025, with findings set to influence national policy discussions and promote smarter energy use in households and manufacturing enterprises.
Jane Anyango is the Communication Officer EfD Uganda
Business & Management
Macroeconomics Conference Addresses Opportunities and Challenges of Digital Payment Systems
By Noeline Nabukenya
On 8th May 2025, the School of Economics under the College of Business and Management Sciences (COBAMS) hosted the Macroeconomics of digital payment system conference at Makerere University. The conference was organised in collaboration with the Bank of Uganda
(BOU) and International Growth Centre (IGC), to promote use of digital financial services.
The conference was timely, coming at a time, when the world is experiencing a shift from moving with cash to accelerated digital transformation. The development has since penetrated the financial services market, promoting financial inclusion because of being secure and
convenient. Users have since observed an increase in speed, accuracy and reduction of transaction costs.
Uganda has made great strides in the adoption of digital technology. During the conference, the participants noted that the mobile money payment systems expedited the transfer of money. It is very fast, quick, convenient and affordable. The conference provided a platform to reflect on how that transition has happened and its impact on the economy.
Prof. Edward Bbaale, the Principal for COBAMS, welcomed delegates at the university and assured them that the conference would generate transformation and change in the business sector. He noted that digital payments have emerged as a critical tool in shaping the macroeconomic landscape of developing economies.
“The shift from cash to digital modes of transaction has profound implications for taxation, monetary policy, financial inclusion, and the efficiency of the financial system as a whole,” he observed.
He noted that the conference highlights the challenges of digital payments which have an implication to businesses; issues like mobile money taxation, digital financial service costs, interoperability, infrastructure gaps and remittance payments.
The conference therefore addressed the gap of mobile money taxation among other digital financial services and how they left out voices of the most affected-the small business owners. The participants called upon relevant authorities and stakeholders to consider making a redress.
“Uganda, like many of its regional counterparts, is standing at the crossroads of technological change and policy innovation. As digital financial services expand, we must understand their effects. This is not only a research imperative-it is a national necessity.”
Bank of Uganda expressed commitment of supporting digital financial services and creating avenues for accelerated development as the country embraces digital payment systems.
Dr. Doreen Rubatsimbira, the Head, Monetary Policy Analysis at BOU, said a technical team on block chain technology has been instituted to extend support to the journey of realizing digital financial services.
“We have also explored the visibility of the central bank digital currency and constituted a technical working group on block chain technology as a way of leveraging transformative technologies for the financial sector,” she stated.
On behalf of BOU, Dr. Rubatsimbira applauded Makerere University for their continued partnership on a number of activities that contributes to the economic growth of the country.
The university has worked with Bank of Uganda on different occasions because of the shared academic and policy goals. “This collaboration has led to a generation of economists and policymakers,” she said.
International Growth Centre Senior Country Economist, Dr. Nhial Kuch, said there is a steady progress in adoption of digital payment systems. As an organization, they are looking at providing more funding for evidence-based research to help policymakers come up with adjustments in policies that don’t clash with financial inclusion.
“When we think about tax policy, we must make sure that it is not contradicting other policies, the government is pursuing i.e. financial inclusion or access to innovative services or digital payments,” he said.
He underscored the significance of IGC funding towards evidence based research, noting that they funded the paper on mobile money tax, which is paying off by raising important dialogue that brings together researchers and policymakers, to sit in one room and address these issues and come up with some policy interventions.
“We also funded research on the Electronic Receipting and Invoicing System (EFRIS) which was creating confusion especially among business owners, but our intervention helped in interpretation of that tax,” Kuch added.
Prof. Ibrahim Okumu, the Dean, School of Economics, appreciated all partners especially BOU and IGC for their joint support to organize a colourful conference. He stressed that this kind of collaboration underscores the power of partnership in driving research, capacity building
and evidence-informed policy.
Through this partnership with the Bank of Uganda, Makerere University is scheduled to launch the Master of Science in Economic and Investment Modelling in August 2025, a program that will help strengthen the analytical capacity needed for sound public investment decisions.
On 5th May 2025, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints handed over 40 high-tech laptops and 10 projectors to Makerere University to facilitate teaching, learning, and research at the School of Business under the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS).
The handover ceremony commenced with a powerful prayer led by Sister Tracy Ence, a missionary from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In the prayer, she evoked God-the Almighty, to take control of the handover ceremony, blessing each individual with a generous heart, and blessing the Church and Makerere University as both entities embark on a journey of long-term partnership in the education.
The delegation from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints consisted of over 10 personalities from different professions and vocations who have dedicated their lives to the church and service to humanity. These brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ are volunteers who undertake projects for the good of the Church and God’s people.
Presenting the ICT equipment to Makerere University, the Head of Delegation, Brother Christophe Ge’rard Giraud stated that the church values education expressing their commitment to partnerships that promote spiritual and secular education.
Delighted about the partnership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Makerere University, Brother Christophe said: “As a church, we love to get into partnership. Wherever our faith may be, we all believe there’s a God in heaven. This donation of laptops and projectors will strengthen and liven the classroom. We hope and pray that the donation will be a blessing.”
Brother Ambrose Kilama, the Stake President, a volunteer and an Ecclesiastic leader informed the audience that Education is the eleventh (11th) commandment in the Church. He re-affirmed that in the fulfilment of the 11th commandment, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints takes pride in education within and outside the church. “This is the beginning of the partnership. The donation symbolizes the commitment of the Church to undertaking partnerships in education.”
The handover ceremony was witnessed by the Vice Chancellor represented by Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), the Principal of the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS)-Prof. Edward Bbaale, the Dean of the School of Business-Dr. Godfrey Akileng, the Dean of the School of Economics-Dr. Ibrahim Mike Okumu, former Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs)-Prof. Umar Kakumba and over 30 members of staff from the Department of Marketing and Management, and the Department of Accounting and Finance under the School of Business.
Listening to Dr. Jude Thaddeo Mugarura, Head of the Department of Marketing and Management, giving an account leading to the donation of the ICT equipment, the participants agreed that it was a divine connection. It also re-echoed the biblical teaching of the good Samaritan.
Dr. Mugarura revealed that the donation that the School of Business was receiving on 5th May 2025, started with an interaction with Dr. Phillip Mathemera, a Volunteer with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2024. While at Makerere University main campus, Dr. Mathemera, who was trying to locate the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), met Dr. Mugarura, and requested for directions. Attributing it to luck or God’s timing, Dr. Mugarura was the person present at the actual time when Dr. Mathemera was seeking help. They interacted, Dr. Mugarura directed him to CAES, and they also exchanged contacts for future correspondence.
Dr. Mugarura disclosed that when the Department of Marketing and Management was organizing an event and looking for sponsors, he pulled out the business card, to contact Dr. Mathemera for possible sponsorship.
Dr. Mugarura explained that during the telephone conversation, Dr. Mathemera guided him to explore support for a partnership rather than sponsorship for a one-off event.
Following the guidance received, Dr. Mugarura teamed up with Dr. Tibaingana to write a concept addressing the teaching and learning needs challenge in the Department of Marketing and Management.
Filled with joy, Dr. Mugarura briefed the audience inside the School of Business Conference Hall that the Church responded positively to the concept. “I am pleased to state that everything that we requested for in the concept was accepted. We have assembled here today, on the 5th of May 2025, to receive the ICT equipment. We pledge to put these items to good use as we advance digitalization in teaching and learning,” said Dr. Mugarura.
Receiving the ICT equipment on behalf of Makerere University, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi reported that when he learned of this donation, he was filled with a deep sense of gratitude to God in heaven, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the two (2) members of staff namely: Dr. Jude Thaddeo Mugarura and Dr. Anthony Tibaingana who wrote the concept on the teaching and learning needs.
Stating the need for high-tech equipment and accessories to deliver meaningful education, Prof. Buyinza noted that the donation of ICT equipment significantly impacts the teaching, learning and research agenda of the University.
Referencing the 4th and 5th industrial revolution that thrives on ICT and digital education, Prof. Buyinza re-affirmed that the equipment received will enable the members of faculty to play a pivotal role in the realization of University 5.0, which is built on integrated ICT.
Prof. Buyinza applauded Dr. Jude Thaddeo Mugarura and Dr. Anthony Tibaingana, members of staff in the Department of Marketing and Management for identifying viable friends.
Welcoming the delegation from the Church to the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), the Principal-Prof. Edward Bbaale, notified the guests that the College consists of three (3) schools. These include: the School of Business, the School of Economics, and the School of Statistics and Planning, with each School having key departments. He also welcomed the staff from the School of Business that hosts the Department of Marketing and Management, and the Department of Accounting and Finance.
Prof. Bbaale commended the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for prioritizing partnerships, emphasizing that Makerere University values partnerships. “Building partnerships, collaborations, and internationalization are the cornerstones to build us up into a research-driven university,” he said.
Appreciating the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Principal highlighted that the donation of laptops and projectors was a timely intervention, presenting the teaching staff with the required equipment as they undertake roles to contribute to the research-driven agenda of the University. “The support comes at a time when digital training and e-Learning are taking centre stage at Makerere University, which positions our faculty to be active players in this journey.”
Presenting a brief profile of the School of Business, the Dean-Dr. Godfrey Akileng stated that the School, which has 43 members of staff, is renowned for championing entrepreneurship. He reported that the School holds the Annual Entrepreneurship week/expo, which provides a platform to students to demonstrate their business and entrepreneurship skills and abilities.
Highlighting the School’s exponential growth in terms of graduate training and supervision, Dr. Akileng said: “In 2011/2012, the School had only two members of staff with PhDs. Today, the number of staff with PhDs is 26. We have developed capacity over the years with staff able to teach and supervise the different PhD tracks, namely PhD by research and PhD by coursework. Currently, the School of Business boasts of 31 students who are enrolled on the PhD programme,” he remarked.
Dr. Akileng congratulated the faculty upon receiving high-tech equipment. He requested the department of marketing and management to evolve into a model unit in the promotion of e-Learning and digital education at the University.
Impressed by Dr. Anthony Tibaingana’s resource mobilization efforts in securing the donation, Dr. Akileng also thanked Dr. Tibaingana for his devotion to teaching, learning, and graduate supervision. “Dr. Tibaingana is a rising star. This year, Dr. Tibaingana supervised three PhD students to completion. We are proud of his work,” he remarked.
Dr. Akileng called upon the members of faculty to utilize the equipment in the execution of official tasks, to serve the students and the University at large. This will bring real progress and growth to the School and the University.
Contributing to the discussion, Ms. Ritah Namisango, the Principal Communication Officer who moderated the ceremony, informed the audience that Makerere University had embarked on the development of an e-Learning Digital Transformation roadmap for the next five years (2025-2030). Observing that this strategic step involves the acquisition of high-tech ICT equipment to enable the different players to undertake the required roles, Ms. Namisango appreciated the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints for the generous donation.
Giving a vote of thanks on behalf of the members of staff, Dr. Pros Katumba, who teaches ICT and Strategic Management, flanked by Dr. Jamidah Nakato and Dr. Zaina Nakabuye, Lecturers in the Department of Marketing and Management, stressed that the ICT equipment received will enhance service delivery at the School of Business. “We have been having a gap in equipment. Thank you for this donation that will greatly impact teaching, learning, and research.”
True to the statement, that this was the beginning of partnership, Dr. Tibaingana ignited the audience when he reported that Dr. Mathemera had extended an offer to the 17 students studying marketing to undertake a driving course leading to acquisition of driving permits valued for 5 years. The training is scheduled to start after the end of Semester Two exams 2024/2025 on 17th May 2025.
According to Dr. Tibaingana, the sponsorship follows a guest lecture that was delivered by Dr. Mathemera in April 2025. “Thrilled by the interaction and enthusiasm of the marketing students, Dr. Mathemera generously offered the sponsorship,” he stated.
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