In a significant leap toward harnessing technology for national planning and development, Uganda is set to conduct a landmark digital census starting with 9^th May 2024 as the Census reference night and the enumeration period scheduled for 10^th-19^th May 2024.  As specified in the Plan for National Statistical Development (PNSD), the 2024 National Population and Housing Census (NPHC) is carried out by Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) led by the Census Commissioner (CC) who is the Executive Director (ED) Dr. Chris Mukiza.  The digital census will be carried out using Computer Assisted Personal interview (CAPI) tablets and use of Global Positioning System (GPS). The census information can be used in leveraging government programs including Parish development model, youth livelihood program and also in the development of NDP IV, as we aim at becoming a middle income economy as stipulated in Vision 2040.

Distinguished staff members from Makerere University, School of Statistics and Planning (SSP), College of Business and Management Sciences (COBAMS) have played a pivotal role in supporting the census preparation phase and enumeration phases to ensure a successful digital census.  This engagement aims to ensure the collection of accurate, timely, comprehensive data to guide the country’s policies, planning and vision.

The selected team comprises Dr. Odur Bernard, Dr. Nansubuga Elizabeth, Dr. Nankinga Olivia, Dr. Patricia Ndugga and Dr. Margaret Banga. The selected staff members bring a wealth of knowledge and experience, making them ideal contributors to the national census’s success. These were been deployed to different areas as District or City Census Commissioner’s Representative. Their role involves providing oversight, supervision and ensuring the smooth running of the census exercise in these districts in collaboration with UBOS.

Pivotal to this exercise, the faculty also trained district and sub-county officers of which information the officers would later use in training the enumerators and the parish/ward supervisors on the entire census process and data collection.

Makerere University through the school of statistics and planning has also been represented at the Census Technical Advisory Committee (CTAC) by Assoc. Prof. James Wokadala. The CTAC is composed of members of the Inter-Agency Committee of the Plan for National Statistics Development (PNSD) and other co-opted members from Academia, Media and Research institutions. Further, the involvement of Makerere University‘s staff brings a level of expertise and dedication that will undoubtedly contribute to the census’s success. With their support, Uganda is poised to set a new standard in data collection and analysis, paving the way for a more informed and progressive nation.

Bridging Academia and National Development

The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) has a standing partnership with Makerere University, as represented by Dr. Allen Kabagenyi a staff member of SSP who was appointed by Cabinet as member of the UBOS Board of Directors as representative of all academic institutions in Uganda teaching statistics.  The partnership between Makerere University and UBOS underscores the importance of collaboration between academia and government in achieving national development goals.

To support the 2024 Census, Makerere University adjusted the Semester and Examinations excluding 8^th– 10^th May 2024 to enable staff and students participate in the national exercise resuming on 11^th May 2024. The university is applauded for revising the semester for this important 2024 digital census represents a significant step toward modernizing Uganda’s data collection practices, allowing for more efficient analysis, timely dissemination for better-informed decision-making.

Dr. Kabagenyi, mentioned that the overall aim of the National Population and Housing Census (NPHC) 2024 was to provide benchmark information on the spatial population distribution, age and sex structure, as well as other key socio-economic and demographic characteristics.  She further said the Department of Population Studies, part of the School of Statistics and Planning, has over the years trained scholars in different methodologies of Collecting population Data and the national population Census being one of them.  The Census provides information on the country’s population size, distribution, demographic and the socio economic characteristics of a county’s population.

Further by “leveraging on digital technologies, we can collect more accurate, detailed and timely data, which is crucial for national planning. Our team is excited to contribute to this historic event and support Uganda’s journey toward a more data-driven future.” She further applauds Makerere University Council and Management for adjusting Semester II 2023/2024 for a critical government national program.  

Sharing some insight into the census process, Dr. Kabagenyi said if one is not at home, another person who is knowledgeable enough to respond to the census questionnaire can be interviewed. 

 “It Matters to be counted”

The Department of Economic Theory and Analysis at Makerere University witnessed a significant transition as Dr. Joweria Teera handed over the reins to Dr. Faisal Buyinza. This ceremonial handover, held in the university’s Faculty of Economics, marked a new chapter in the department’s journey while celebrating the achievements and contributions of Dr. Teera during her tenure.

A Legacy of Excellence and Innovation

Dr. Teera, who has served as the head of the department for the past eight years, is recognized for her transformative leadership and dedication to academic excellence. Under her guidance, the department has seen substantial growth in research output, student engagement, and partnerships with external organizations. She spearheaded initiatives that modernized the curriculum, integrating innovative teaching methods and focusing on real-world economic challenges.

In her parting remarks, Dr. Teera expressed gratitude to her colleagues and students for their support throughout her tenure. “It has been an honor to lead this department, and I am proud of what we have accomplished together,” she said. “I am confident that Dr. Buyinza will continue to drive our mission forward, bringing fresh perspectives and energy to the role.”

A Vision for the Future

Dr. Buyinza, who has an extensive background in economic analysis and research, is no stranger to the department. He has served as a senior lecturer and has been instrumental in guiding graduate students through complex research projects. His appointment as head of the department brings new enthusiasm and a vision for continued growth.

In his acceptance speech, Dr. Buyinza outlined his plans for the department, focusing on strengthening interdisciplinary research and enhancing collaborations with industry stakeholders. “I am excited to build on the strong foundation laid by Dr. Teera,” he stated. “Together, we will work towards creating a more dynamic and impactful department, one that contributes meaningfully to the field of economics and to Uganda’s development.”

Celebrating Collaboration and Teamwork

The handover ceremony was attended by faculty members, and representatives from the university administration. Dean of the School of Economics, Prof. Ibrahim Mike Okumu, praised Dr. Teera for her leadership and welcomed Dr. Buyinza to his new role. “Dr. Teera’s leadership has been invaluable, and we are grateful for her contributions,” he said. “We also look forward to working with Dr. Buyinza as he takes on this important position.”

As Dr. Buyinza steps into his new role, the Department of Economic Theory and Analysis at Makerere University is poised for a vibrant future, with a strong focus on fostering economic understanding and contributing to the broader academic and economic landscape.

View on CoBAMS

Approximately 23 officials from different Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as from the Civil Society have completed training in the Program on Investment Appraisal and Risk Analysis (PIAR). The trainees received training in Basic Public Investment Management (PIM), Financial and Risk Analysis and finally Economic Appraisal and Stakeholder Analysis. The training culminated in the award of Certificates jointly awarded by Makerere University, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED) and Cambridge Recourses International.

The two-weeks training, which took place in Mbarara attracted participants from Ministries, Agencies, Academia and the Civil Sector. Speaking during the closing ceremony, Prof. Eria Hisali, the Principal of the College of Business and Management Sciences where the PIM Centre of Excellence is hosted, said the Centre aims at creating a pool of experts who can write proposals and approve public investments.

He cautioned the public officers to clearly identify projects that can deliver economic growth and also encouraged them to work together. He said the Centre would organize an experience sharing workshop to do an M&E on all the trainees to see how effectively they are utilizing the acquired knowledge. He informed participants that the University Senate had approved the proposed PIM Masters, “Masters in Economic and Investment Modeling,” and encouraged them to apply once the program is approved by the National Council for Higher Education. He said the Centre was also in the process of drafting a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Investment Management. Prof. Hisali appreciated the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development for providing financial support to the Centre as well as CRI and NPA for the partnership in training.

Dr. Willy Kagarura, the Centre’s manager said he was confident that the knowledge given to the participants will go a long way in ensuring they write the accurate investment proposals for the government to review.

He emphasized the importance of equipping individuals with the necessary skills to make informed investment decisions which will ultimately contribute to the economic development of the Country. Dr. Willy also highlighted the practical nature of the training, ensuring that participants are well-prepared for real-world scenarios in investment modeling.

Ms. Gertrude Aerone Basiima, the Assistant Commissioner of the Project Analysis and Public Investment Department emphasized the importance of the training, saying the goal of a project appraisal is to prevent bad projects from going ahead and good projects from being rejected. “This training is therefore aimed at ensuring that all stakeholders including Public Officials, Private Sector and Civil Society analysts develop and appraise investment projects in order to promote the economic and social wellbeing of the country,” she said.

She said the training arose out of the needs assessment that identified critical gaps by Officers in different MDAs with regard to undertaking Cost Benefit Analysis, Cost Effectiveness Analysis, preparation and cross-examination of pre-feasibility and feasibility studies.

“I hope that the training you have attained during the last 3 training sessions has equipped you with skills to conduct and review feasibility studies by putting into considerations the different perspectives of Banker/Lender, Project Owner, Country and Distribution of Externalities. While you are undertaking project development and appraisal, please remember these perspectives,” Ms Basiima said.  Ms Basiima emphasized the importance of considering various perspectives during project development and appraisal to ensure a comprehensive feasibility study. She encouraged participants to apply the skills acquired in the training sessions to conduct thorough analyses and make informed decisions.

She further appreciated the dedicated faculty team comprised of CRI resource persons, Hassan and Christiania. The Ugandan Faculty consisting of Dr. Willy Kagarura, Prof. Edward Bbaale, Dr. John Sseruyage, Dr. Vincent Ssajjabi, Dr. Ibrahim Mike Okumu, Dr Ibrahim Mukisa, and Mr. Edwin Sentumbwe from Makerere University PIM CoE, Mr. Musimeta Hannington from NPA and, Mr. Ahaisibwe Joseph and herself from MoFPED

On his part, Mr. Hannington Musimenta, one of the faculty members from the National Planning Authority, emphasized the importance of the study, saying the NDPIII evaluation showed that the Country performed only to the tune of 17% because of poor projects. With this training and knowledge acquired by the different public officers, he was positive that the implementation of projects in NDP IV would be more successful and impactful leading to greater development outcomes for Uganda.

As part of the training, the team visited one government project in Kiruhura and Mbarara District titled the Reconstruction of Kyeshema Earth Dam. The dam was reconstructed to supply water to the cattle corridor during the dry seasons. The participants were able to evaluate a real-world project in relation to the theory obtained during training.  

The training was opened on April 22, 2024, by the Director of the PIM Centre of Excellence, Prof. Edward Bbaale, who called on the trainees to fully engage in the training sessions and actively participate in discussions to maximize their learning experience. He emphasized the importance of applying the knowledge gained to their work in order to achieve tangible results and make a difference in their workplaces. The director also highlighted the significance of networking and collaboration among participants, as this would foster a supportive environment for sharing best practices and innovative ideas. “By fostering a culture of continuous learning and knowledge exchange, the training program aims to empower individuals to drive sustainable development in Uganda”. He appreciated the MoFPED for the financing of the training and the nomination of the right people to train. The director emphasized the importance of participants actively engaging in discussions and practical exercises during the training sessions to maximize their learning experience. Additionally, he encouraged participants to take advantage of the resources and support provided by the program to implement their new skills and knowledge effectively in their respective roles.