Business & Management
EfD-Uganda Stakeholders Co-Creation Workshop Discusses Clean Energy Solutions for Small Holder Farmers
Published
7 months agoon
By
Jane AnyangoMembers 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
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Business & Management
Public Investment Management Centre Concludes 4th Cohort Training on Financial Implications Guidelines
Published
2 weeks agoon
November 19, 2024The Public Investment Management Centre of Excellence (PIMCoE), hosted by the College of Business and Management Sciences at Makerere University, successfully concluded the training of its 4th cohort of public officers on November 15, 2024. This capacity-building program focused on the User Acceptance Training on Guidelines for Clearance of Financial Implications, a critical process mandated by Section 76 of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), 2015.
Under the PFMA, every bill presented to Parliament must include a Certificate of Financial Implications (CFI) issued by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED). The preparation of the Statement of Financial Implications (SFI), which forms the basis for the CFI, is the responsibility of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). This statement provides detailed revenue and expenditure estimates and projected savings over a minimum of two years’ post-enactment.
Empowering MDAs with Essential Skills
The training sessions, which began last week and will continue into the following week, aim to equip MDAs with the skills required to prepare robust SFIs. These competencies are essential for MoFPED Budget Analysts to review and draft CFIs or Letters of Financial Clearance effectively.
The 4th cohort comprised officers from key institutions, including the Ministry of Lands, Ministry of Agriculture, National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA), Uganda Land Commission, Ministry of Local Government, National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO), and the Ministry of Kampala, among others.
A Step Toward Transparent and Accountable Governance
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Mr. Moses Sonko, Principal Economist at MoFPED, commended the initiative and acknowledged the value it brings to Uganda’s public policy and legislative processes. Representing the Permanent Secretary of MoFPED, Mr. Sonko highlighted the importance of the training in strengthening governance frameworks.
“This training was developed to equip us with tools and knowledge essential for our roles in ensuring that Uganda’s policy and legislative proposals are financially sound, transparent, and align with national priorities,” Mr. Sonko remarked. He encouraged participants to apply their newly acquired skills to enhance policy preparation and implementation.
He also emphasized the multi-dimensional nature of the training, which enables officers to identify the financial, social, environmental, and economic impacts of proposed bills and policies.
Participant Feedback
Participants expressed their enthusiasm and gratitude for the training. Mr. Davis Kwizera from the National Animal Genetic Resources Centre and Data Bank (NAGRC&DB) shared his positive experience, stating: “This training has offered a wealth of knowledge and an in-depth understanding of policy processes. It will significantly enhance our ability to prepare relevant policy documents. If you’ve taken the courses on Financial and Risk Analysis as well as Investment Appraisal and Risk Analysis, this program completes the package.”
The new guidelines for the clearance of financial implications will officially take effect in July 2025. PIMCoE remains committed to building the capacity of public officers to ensure that Uganda’s legislative and policy frameworks are underpinned by sound financial and risk analyses, fostering a culture of accountability and sustainable development.
For more updates on PIMCoE programs and upcoming training sessions, visit PIMCoE’s official website.
Business & Management
CoBAMS Hosts Workshop to Review Parish Development Model
Published
3 weeks agoon
November 13, 2024In a pivotal workshop held at Makerere University on November 12, stakeholders, researchers, and policymakers gathered to discuss the progress and emerging issues in the implementation of Uganda’s Parish Development Model (PDM). This transformative model, conceptualized by Prof. Ezra Suruma, aims to tackle some of Uganda’s most pressing socio-economic challenges: poverty, unemployment, and limited access to essential services, particularly in healthcare and agriculture.
Prof. Suruma, the architect of PDM, underscored the crucial role of researchers in creating wealth-empowering strategies for Ugandans. “The PDM is designed to eradicate poverty, promote economic inclusion, improve service delivery, and modernize agriculture,” Prof. Suruma stated. He highlighted that the model not only provides a pathway for Uganda’s rural households to participate in the economy but also aims to address the underlying issues that leave many citizens unable to afford basic needs.
The Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, commended Prof. Suruma’s visionary leadership and the significant impact PDM is expected to have on communities across Uganda. “The PDM stands as one of the largest government interventions aimed at eradicating poverty and uplifting communities,” he remarked. Prof. Nawangwe also emphasized Makerere University’s commitment to supporting PDM through the PDM Lab hosted by the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), which serves as a hub for real-time data analysis to guide the implementation of PDM activities across the country.
The PDM Lab at CoBAMS, led by Prof. Eria Hisali and funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is instrumental in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data that can shape PDM policies at the grassroots level. During the workshop, Dr. Suruma extended his appreciation to UNDP for their support and acknowledged the researchers for their efforts in generating valuable insights into the effectiveness of PDM.
Despite Uganda’s notable economic growth in recent years, poverty remains a persistent challenge, with a significant portion of the population struggling to meet basic needs. Unemployment rates, especially among youth, are high, limiting economic opportunities for the country’s largest demographic. Access to healthcare, particularly in rural areas, is another critical issue, with many Ugandans unable to afford or reach essential medical services. These challenges underscore the need for initiatives like the PDM that are designed to create sustainable economic opportunities, improve household incomes, and ensure equitable access to services.
“PDM seeks to empower households to create wealth, ultimately reducing dependence on subsistence farming and encouraging local economic development,” Prof. Suruma emphasized. He believes that the model’s holistic approach will foster greater self-sufficiency among Uganda’s communities by addressing poverty from multiple angles, including agricultural modernization, financial literacy, and service accessibility.
As the workshop concluded, participants expressed optimism about PDM’s potential to drive sustainable change. Prof. Nawangwe reiterated Makerere University’s dedication to supporting this national initiative, affirming that the PDM Lab will continue to play a key role in assessing and enhancing the model’s effectiveness.
The Parish Development Model offers a beacon of hope for millions of Ugandans striving for a better quality of life, aligning with Uganda’s broader aspirations for economic growth, social equity, and sustainable development.
Business & Management
Study Explores PPPs for Sustainable Development in Uganda’s Tourism and Health Sectors
Published
3 weeks agoon
November 12, 2024On November 11, 2024 the School of Business held a research dissemination workshop led by Dr. Jude Thaddeo Mugarura, a lecturer and researcher whose study focused on “Managing the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Operating Environment for Sustainable Service Delivery in Uganda’s Tourism Sector.” The event also featured research by his student, Simon Peter Kyomuhendo, who presented findings on “Public Private Partnership Adoption, Local Content Utilization, and Value for Money in the Ugandan Health Sector.”
Both studies, which delve into the role of PPPs in two crucial sectors—tourism and health—aim to provide insights into how strategic partnerships between public and private entities can address pressing service delivery challenges in Uganda. Dr. Mugarura’s study in the tourism sector emphasized the importance of a stable operating environment for PPPs, highlighting the need for clear policies, regulatory support, and sustainable practices that allow both public and private stakeholders to thrive. His research suggests that a conducive PPP environment is essential for Uganda’s tourism sector to achieve sustainability, attract international visitors, and create job opportunities, while preserving the country’s cultural and natural heritage.
Kyomuhendo’s research, titled “Public Private Partnership Adoption, Local Content Utilization, and Value for Money in the Ugandan Health Sector,” explored how PPPs can improve value for money (VFM) in healthcare delivery by encouraging local content utilization. His findings revealed a positive correlation between PPP adoption and VFM in healthcare, suggesting that well-structured partnerships can enhance efficiency and service quality. However, he noted that while PPPs support infrastructure development and resource allocation, local content utilization does not always have a strong moderating effect on VFM, indicating potential areas for policy improvement to ensure meaningful local engagement.
Dean of the School of Business, Prof. Godfrey Akileng, lauded the researchers for their dedication to tackling critical issues in Uganda’s development sectors. “These studies bring much-needed evidence to the table, demonstrating the potential of PPPs to transform our tourism and health sectors,” Prof. Akileng remarked. He emphasized that such research is pivotal to Makerere University’s commitment to producing actionable knowledge that aligns with Uganda’s national development goals.
Prof. Akileng extended his gratitude to the Carnegie Corporation of New York for supporting these projects, acknowledging that their funding was instrumental in advancing impactful research. “The generosity of our donor has enabled us to conduct thorough research and share insights that will inform policy and guide sustainable development efforts in Uganda,” he added.
The workshop encouraged discussion among participants, including policymakers, private sector representatives, and university staff, on the importance of PPPs in creating a resilient service delivery model. Dr. Mugarura highlighted the need for continual assessment of the PPP framework to adapt to evolving economic and social demands. He recommended that the government prioritize regulatory improvements and capacity building for local firms to enhance their role in PPP projects.
The dissemination workshop concluded with a collective call for increased collaboration between the public and private sectors. Both researchers emphasized that strategic partnerships hold the key to addressing Uganda’s service delivery challenges and achieving sustainable growth in tourism and healthcare.
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