Business & Management
Activists Urge Government to Integrate Gender Mainstreaming in Public Policy Making
Activists have called on the government to incorporate gender considerations in public policy making to achieve economic transformation and social sustainability. This appeal was made during a policy dialogue at Makerere University on May 21, organized by the College of Business and Management Sciences in collaboration with American University.
Ms. Safia Nalule Jjuuko, Chairperson of the Equal Opportunities Commission, emphasized the importance of gender mainstreaming in social and public policy enactment. She highlighted that for Ugandans to fully benefit from government initiatives, gender considerations must be central to policy planning.
“Gender extends beyond male and female. It encompasses various societal groups, including the disabled and the poor. Government institutions must consider these groups to effectively plan for all Ugandans through policies that serve the best interests of all citizens,” Nalule stated. She added that thorough knowledge of the population is crucial for effective planning.
Dr. Joseph Muvawala, Prime Minister of Busoga Kingdom and Executive Director of the National Planning Authority, reiterated the need for gender to be a fundamental element in all policy endeavors. “Institutions should establish units dedicated to gender mainstreaming to address societal challenges,” he said. Muvawala pointed out that addressing gender disparities is essential for social, political, and economic development. “When examining employment, a gender perspective reveals much about societal progress,” he noted. He warned that neglecting gender considerations in policy making risks losing the diverse experiences and realities of individuals.
Dr. Anna Ninsiima from the School of Women and Gender Studies at Makerere University identified institutional failures to provide quality services as a major barrier to gender equality. She stressed the need to strengthen health, education, and human resource institutions, highlighting that gender dynamics must not be overlooked. “For instance, girls are dropping out of school due to a lack of sanitary towels,” Dr. Ninsiima said. She also called for the implementation of policies, noting that many remain unexecuted.
Ms. Agnes Kisembo, the Programme Specialist at UN Women, said the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) place a strong emphasis on gender equality and the importance of gender mainstreaming in policy making. Specifically, SDG 5: Gender Equality, is dedicated to achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls. She urged government to prioritize gender-responsive policies and programs to ensure the full realization of women’s rights and participation in decision-making processes. Ms. Kisembo emphasized the need for collaboration between government, civil society, and other stakeholders to address gender disparities effectively.
Dr. David Mpiima, from the School of Gender and Women Studies, Makerere University, emphasized that it is crucial to recognize that gender mainstreaming goes beyond just addressing disparities but also involves promoting equality, equity, and inclusivity in all aspects of society. By understanding the dynamics of power and influence, stakeholders can work towards creating a more equitable and just society for all individuals, regardless of gender.
Gender-Based Violence (GBV) was a significant topic of discussion at the dialogue. SSP Irene Adibaa, representing the Uganda Police Force, noted that domestic violence is predominantly reported by women, who often bear the primary caregiving responsibilities for children. She acknowledged that men also report cases of domestic violence, albeit less frequently, due to societal norms.
“Some women are the source of conflict in their homes, which is why we see a high number of domestic violence cases linked to financial issues,” Adibaa said. She urged men to participate actively in combating gender-based violence and mentioned the recruitment of men into the Child and Family Protection Unit to encourage more open communication among men.
The 2023 Police Crime Report revealed 14,681 domestic violence cases reported nationwide. Of these, 1,520 cases went to court, with 10,792 involving adult female victims, 3,243 adult male victims, 505 male juveniles, and 644 female juveniles. Additionally, 242 murders due to domestic violence were reported, with 122 cases going to court, 16 not pursued, and 104 still under investigation. North Kyoga recorded the highest number of domestic violence cases, followed by Aswa and Rwizi regions, each with 28 cases.
Citing a 2019 UNFPA report, Ms Elisabeth Kemigisha from FIDA said Uganda loses USD77 billion to gender based violence. She stressed the importance of investing in gender equality initiatives to not only reduce economic losses but also to create a more prosperous and sustainable future for Uganda. Ms. Kemigisha also highlighted the need for comprehensive policies and programs that address the root causes of gender-based violence in order to effectively combat this issue.
Sharing experiences from South Africa, Dr. Jamela B. Hoveni, from the Institute for Economic Justice, South Africa said South Africa’s Policy on Gender-Based Violence, through the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NSPGBVF) and other legislative measures, focuses on a multi-faceted approach to prevent and respond to GBV. It emphasizes strong leadership, coordination, prevention through education, justice system improvements, comprehensive support for survivors, economic empowerment, and robust data management. These policies aim to create a society where all individuals can live free from violence and discrimination, ensuring that survivors receive the support and justice they deserve.
Prof. Eria Hisali, Principal of the College of Business and Management Sciences, acknowledged steps taken by Parliament to ensure inclusive policy making. He emphasized the need for continuous efforts to integrate gender considerations into all aspects of public policy to address the complex challenges faced by society.
The Public Investment Management (PIM) Centre of Excellence has commenced a three-day refresher training for members of the Development Committee (DC) of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. The training, which began today in Jinja, aims to enhance the analytical and technical skills of committee members who are tasked with reviewing government projects submitted by various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
The training was today February 19, 2025, officially opened by Dr. Hennery Ssebukeera, who represented the Director of the Budget Directorate. In his opening remarks, Dr. Ssebukeera emphasized the importance of the refresher course in enabling the Development Committee to effectively conduct quality reviews and fulfill its mandate as a key gatekeeper of the Public Investment Plan. He noted that the training would improve the participants’ ability to appraise and implement public investments in line with the Public Investment Management System (PIMS) framework.
Speaking at the same event, Prof. Ibrahim Mike Okumu, representing the Centre Director, Prof. Edward Bbaale, expressed the Centre’s gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to Uganda’s PIM cycle. He highlighted the importance of the training in harmonizing the relationship between the MDAs that draft project proposals and the analysts who review them. Prof. Okumu reiterated the Centre’s commitment to building the capacity of government officials in Public Investment Management, thereby supporting the country’s development aspirations.
The need for this training was identified during the Development Committee retreat held in 2024, which revealed limited capacity among DC members in project appraisal, specifically in reviewing prefeasibility and feasibility reports, Dr Ssebukeera noted. In response, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, in collaboration with the PIM Centre of Excellence, organized this refresher course to strengthen the participants’ technical and analytical skills.
DC is a statutory committee of government that evaluates the viability of public investment projects. Its statutory composition includes: Office of the President, Office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, National Planning Authority, Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA), Office of the Solicitor General, Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development, National Environment Management Authority, Equal Opportunities Commission, Ministry or Work and Transport, Ministry of Water and Environment, Public Private Partnership Unit. The PIM Center of Excellence was recently admitted to the Development Committee as a non-voting member.
The training will cover a wide range of topics, including the role of PIMS in the country’s development goals, the logical flow of project profiles, costing, and the interpretation of interconnections between prefeasibility/feasibility reports and financial models. Additionally, participants will explore the role of public-private partnerships in national development.
Dr. Ssebukeera encouraged participants to actively engage in discussions, share their expertise, and apply the knowledge gained from the training. He noted that this engagement would empower the Development Committee to effectively perform its role in reviewing and approving public investment projects, ensuring they align with national priorities and deliver value for money.
The Public Investment Management Centre of Excellence, established by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development in partnership with Makerere University School of Economics, continues to play a pivotal role in building the capacity of MDAs in managing public investments. To date, the Centre has trained over 300 officers and produced several research papers, reflecting its commitment to enhancing public investment management in Uganda.
The training in Jinja is expected to enhance the participants’ capacity to effectively review government projects, thus supporting the effective implementation of Uganda’s Public Investment Plan.
Business & Management
Somali Officials Complete Executive Training in Infrastructure Asset Management at CoBAMS
Six Somali government officials have successfully completed a three-day Executive Training in Infrastructure Asset Management, held at Makerere University’s Public Investment Management Centre of Excellence (PIM CoE). The training, funded by the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), took place from January 27 to 29, 2025, and aimed to enhance regional capacity in infrastructure planning and management.
The training brought together senior civil servants and policymakers from Somalia, equipping them with practical knowledge and strategies for sustainable infrastructure asset management. It also fostered valuable cross-border collaboration, facilitated by UNCDF Uganda, which played a crucial role in connecting Makerere University with the Government of Somalia.
The program was delivered by experienced faculty from Makerere University’s College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), alongside experts from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED) and the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA). A special session was also led by the Makerere University Bursar, offering practical insights into financial management in infrastructure projects.
Speaking at the opening of the training, Mr. Ncube Mkhululi, the Regional Technical Advisor for UNCDF emphasized the importance of infrastructure asset management in driving sustainable economic growth. He highlighted UNCDF’s commitment to supporting capacity-building initiatives in developing economies, noting that effective infrastructure planning and management are critical to national development. He also expressed confidence in Makerere University’s expertise in delivering high-impact executive training programs for government officials.
During the closing ceremony, Prof. Bbaale Edward, the Principal of the College of Business and Management Sciences expressed gratitude to all partners, including UNCDF, Makerere University management, and the PIM CoE faculty, for their commitment to making the training a success. He emphasized Makerere University’s ongoing efforts to internationalize its research-led agenda, positioning itself as a hub for regional knowledge exchange.
UNCDF Program Manager, Mr. Joel Mundua, the commended the participants for their dedication and encouraged them to share the acquired knowledge with fellow officials in Somalia. This was reaffirmed by one of the participants, who pledged to apply and disseminate the learnings within their respective departments.
Mr. Sunday Denis Aliti, the Program Officer at UNCDF highlighted the importance of ensuring that infrastructure asset management strategies are practical, adaptable, and aligned with national development goals. He commended Makerere University for its leadership in knowledge transfer and regional training and encouraged continued collaboration between universities, governments, and international development partners to strengthen institutional capacity.
Dr. John Sseruyange, Manager of the PIM CoE, applauded both the participants and the expert trainers who contributed to the program. He reiterated the Centre’s commitment to advancing infrastructure asset management through continued training and collaboration with regional stakeholders.
As the training concluded, participants departed with valuable insights and practical tools to improve infrastructure management in Somalia and beyond. The success of this initiative highlights Makerere University’s role as a leading institution in public investment management, fostering capacity-building efforts that drive sustainable development across Africa.
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