Business & Management
EfD Takes Research findings to Parliament: Advocates for Regulatory and Policy Framework to Support Transition to Clean Energy for Households
A team of researchers from Makerere University Centre for Environment for Development Initiative (EfD-Mak Center) on Friday 3rd May 2024 went to Parliament to share study findings on Uganda’s heavy reliance on fuel wood and charcoal to guide the country and, in particular Members of Parliament in their policy formulation.
Research fellows Prof. Edward Bbaale, Dr. Peter Babyenda, Dr. John Sseruyange, and Dr. Nick Kilimani undertook a study titled, “Promoting Inclusive Clean Energy Transition in Uganda: Evidence, Challenges and Policy Options”.
The team studied people’s perceptions of cooking energy systems in Uganda, through a document review and Focused Group Discussions, their level of knowledge about the possible effects of using energy systems, the challenges they face when using various energy systems, and their suggestions for promoting the use of clean energy.
Findings indicated an over-reliance on biomass across the country with charcoal being the major energy source in the low-income suburbs of Kampala. Evidence also points to the inherent fear of electricity and liquid petroleum gas, weak awareness, and poor regulatory systems to be the leading obstacles to an energy transition process.
The team, led by the Centre Director, Prof. Edward Bbaale, who is also Director of Research and Graduate Training at Makerere University interfaced with the Members of Parliament on the Committee of Environment and Natural Resources. Bbaale presented on, “Biomass Dependence and Green Transitions: Implications for Policy”.
“Parliament is a very important arm of government, responsible making laws, performing oversight role and therefore our research findings must be shared with them so that they use the information that we have generated through research for them to do their legislative function better.
“Makerere is a research intensive University but at the same time, the main objective of the current strategic plan is to generate as much research as possible. But number two, is to package this research and market it and share it with the rest of the country so that it can be useful and cause a policy and behavior change”, Prof. Bbaale justified the meeting.
Sharing the issue of green transitions, especially in the area of energy transitions in different sectors, as critical, Bbaale told MPs that over 3 billion people globally depend on biomass for energy which exacerbates climate change, forest loss, water scarcity and land degradation.
With a projection of the rise in the Global population from 8.1 to 9.8 billion by 2050, Bbaale decried that more than 700 million people survive on less than $2.15 daily which leads to increased reliance on biomass.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, the professor said over 900 million people use biomass for cooking while Uganda has high reliance on biomass with 85% of the households using firewood, 13% using charcoal .
Charcoal burning and firewood collection according to Bbaale is partly responsible for Uganda’s rapid declining forests cover. Uganda’s Forest cover dropped from 20.4% in 1990 to 9% in 2015, driven by energy needs. Currently forest cover stands at 13.3%. Other factors like logging, farming and development also contribute to forest loss.
Bbaale also informed parliamentarians that heavy dependence on biomass energy poses health risks particularly to women and children. Household Air Pollution, according to Bbaale affects over 20 million Ugandans, causing 13,000 deaths annually, with women and children bearing the brunt.
“…firewood and charcoal are dirty sources of energy. Respiratory diseases, eye diseases, and others can be attributed to the household air pollution, but as a result of cooking, we also contribute to the bigger greenhouse gas emissions, then we see climate change manifest in extreme weather conditions like prolonged drought spells, floods and very heavy rainfall beyond the normal, and this has far-reaching effects on our economy and environment”, He explained.
Bbaale informed the committee about the social economic implications of high dependence on biomass. He said, wood fuel collection distresses child schooling in rural areas as children lose time collecting wood fuel, affecting their education.
Economically, Bbaale told Members of Parliament that dependence on biomass as an energy source impedes on female labor force participation. Ugandan rural women Bbaale reported spend 9.1 hours per week on fuelwood collection, compared to 2.5 hours for men, hence reduces womens’ time for employment and education and this perpetuates gender inequalities in the labor market
In addition to increasing Green House Gas emissions, Bbaale explained that heavy reliance on Biomass increases Uganda’s vulnerability to climate shocks. Uganda is highly vulnerable to climate shocks and ranks 13th position out of 192 countries in terms of vulnerability with low capacity to deal with climate change effects ̶ 160th/192.
Green Transitions
The Director proposed an economy free from fossil fuels, sustainable consumption of natural resources, less biomass energy dependence and low-carbon solutions as stipulated in Uganda’s Vision 2040 and NDP III and the Nationally Determined Contributions – a climate action plan to cut emissions and adapt to climate impacts.
Within Energy, Bbaale expressed the need to increase the use of renewable energy, improve efficiency of biomass production and use, encourage industrial fuel switching, increased energy access for households and promote cleaner cooking technologies.
Noting that Uganda’s Gross National Income per capita is $930 and close to World Bank’s Lower Middle-Income Status ($1,086), Bbaale said the energy ladder indicates a delayed transition towards clean energy.
With 85% households relying on firewood, 13% depending on charcoal and only 2% using clean energy sources like gas or electricity, Bbaale attributed the delayed transition to challenges mainly availability, affordability, reliability, efficiency, and cultural considerations.
In terms of availability, the Professor told the committee that about half of Uganda’s population has access to any form of electricity largely due to the rural electrification program with a number of households not connected to the grid due to high costs and selective distribution of electricity lines.
Bbaale also reported that whereas the National LPG Supply Infrastructure Development and Promotion targets improving the LPG supply, storage and demand the main gaps include high initial costs, limited refilling centers especially in rural areas, high refilling costs and counterfeits.
In terms of reliability, Parliamentarians heard that only 24% of Ugandans have access to more than 4 hours of electricity per day with inadequate voltage in some areas and limited LPG refill centers.
Policy recommendations
Prof. Bbaale tabled recommendations on infrastructure development, financial incentives, sensitisation and awareness raising, capacity building and technical assistance as well as regulatory and policy framework.
On infrastructure development, Bbaale implored government to invest in expanding electricity grids to reach remote rural areas, establish even distribution LPG refilling centers, develop energy storage infrastructure for reliable power supply from renewable sources and, address rural electrification challenges such as connection costs and distribution issues.
Speaking on financial incentives, the professor asked government to provide subsidies and grants to reduce initial and refilling costs, offer low-interest loans for affordable clean energy technologies, implement tax incentives to encourage clean energy investments especially by the private sector and also provide flexible payment plans or pay-as-you-go schemes for clean energy systems to improve accessibility for financially constrained rural populations.
“We must go green and if we must green our economy, a very big part of it is energy transitions. And the question is, what are the alternative sources that are cleaner? It is electricity, it is LPG. And then will the households afford?
“And as a result we are saying, legislators play an oversight function, they come up with the rules and regulations that govern our country. What can be done, for example, to make clean energy sources affordable? Let Members of Parliament think about some financial incentives, maybe some very cheap loans, advocate for subsidies from government, can be to increase their availability by encouraging the private sector by reducing taxes that overburden them to do business” Bbaale explained.
He also recommended sensitization of the public to raise awareness about subsidies (cooking tariff for electricity in Uganda) and clean energy alternatives, like Tanzania’s national cooking conference and to encourage mindset change towards LPG and biogas, led by Parliamentarians.
“For people that use electricity for cooking, very few households, including those that are around Kampala, know about electricity subsidy. And the Minister of Energy is of the view that electricity is the cheapest source of power these days. Even households that are well-educated, are not aware of what government has done in promoting the clean cooking”
“And being opinion leaders from their different constituencies, Members of Parliament can also act as champions of mindset change wherever they are. Maybe they can be in their constituency, act as a center to demonstrate some of the clean energy sources. How is it working? How is it possible?” Bbaale said.
Government according to Bbaale should offer training programs to rural communities on clean energy technologies and maintenance, provide technical support for installing and maintaining clean energy systems and facilitate knowledge-sharing platforms for rural communities to learn from successful projects.
Bbaale also proposed regulatory and policy frameworks in regard to standardization. He stressed the need for a law and policy in regard to prices and standards with Uganda National Bureau of Standards to rule out counterfeits.
Parliament pledges to support policies on clean energy transition and engage line ministries to collaborate with EfD as a research arm
The Chairperson Parliamentary Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, Dr. Emmanuel Otala who is also Member of Parliament for West Budama South Constituency, Tororo District commended the university dons for sharing the research findings to guide policy formulation.
“And I must say that they are spot on in that their research findings are pointing the country to protection of our environment. And as they concluded by saying that yes, God always forgives, human beings sometimes forgive, but nature will never forgive if we do something. I think that was a fundamental statement, really,” Dr. Otala recalled.
Citing recent and occurring disasters that have ravaged the country due unsustainable use of the environment, Dr. Otala emphasized the need to balance development with environmental conservation.
“Most of our people still use firewood, biomass for cooking. And this is not the right way to go. We must look at renewable sources of energy and how to conserve our forests and that is how they bring in the issue of Liquefied Petroleum Gas.
Unfortunately, government already made an attempt, but at a very small scale. And so, we need to scale up this project of substituting the use of biomass for cooking with the Liquefied Petroleum Gas and even use biogas from homes.” Dr. Otala noted.
Otala pledged total commitment to working with the EfD-Mak center and line ministries to support policies to a green transition.
“What the EfD is doing is in keeping with the current global initiative of trying to address climate change, of conserving the environment, and the turning away from the use of fossil fuels to use of renewable energy for cooking. And we think that as policy makers, most of the policies they recommended are very good and we are going to take them up”. He said.
Dr. Otala also pledged to share the research findings with the Minister of Water and Environment and his team, discuss the proposed policies and interventions and interest the ministry to utilize EfD as a research arm.
“The use of evidence-based policy is critical, and I can’t explain it more. So we shall definitely bring it to the attention of the Minister that in Makerere there is this initiative.
…we shall definitely help you to highlight the need for collaboration in terms of research, but also translating research findings into actual activities on the ground for the benefit of our people based on research”. Otala affirmed.
Members of Parliament speak out
Shadow Minister for Environment and Energy who is also Woman Member of Parliament representing Kiboga District, Christine Kaaya Nakimwero requested the EfD Researchers to research on the census tools and fossil fuels that the country is looking up to.
“One, we have not looked at the census tools for the census that is going to begin on 10th May this month, we would request you to look at the tool urgently and see if ownership of energy tools in households, for us to know what households really use.” Kaaya submitted
Kaaya also requested researchers to appreciate that Uganda is set to make money from fossil fuels and to research into emissions resulting from different energy sources and initiatives like afforestation.
“How much emissions come from production of one liter of fossil fuel? And what do we need to do to offset emission from one liter of fossil fuel? That is the exact message we’re supposed to share with our people. People need to know, if I plant five trees, does it help?” She pondered.
Kaaya also decried the issue of counterfeits in the energy sector calling on the committee members to discuss more on how the Uganda National Bureau of Standards can be supported to check counterfeits. She observed that affordability and culture are some of the factors hindering the adoption of clean cooking energy.
“There is a gender aspect in making people run away from use of biomass. I’m supposed to cook. Without food, there is no marriage. So, when we are phasing out biomass, we must have that at the back of the mind. I’m in Kampala, you have refused people to bring charcoal. I’m here in Kampala, I’m married, I’m supposed to cook, I don’t have LPG, I cannot afford electricity.
“And how long are we going to wait to resolve this matter? You cannot just stop charcoal vehicles in Kiboga, please don’t proceed to Kampala. How do you expect us to make our husbands eat and the entire family? If you cannot answer that, then let’s go slow. We need to advise the President very appropriately.” Kaaya said.
Recently, the President of Uganda banned the commercial making, transportation and selling of charcoal to safeguard the environment.
The other cultural barrier to adoption of clean cooking energy according to Kaaya is the method of food preparation. In Buganda and other cultures that eat bananas, one is not a wife if she cannot prepare bananas, squeeze and leave them on fire in banana leaves for long hours until it is soft before serving.
“It is that cultural practice which is becoming very difficult. The electric cooker cannot accommodate banana leaves. After squeezing bananas, you are supposed to leave it on fire. It becomes very soft, such that even somebody who will come at midnight, finds it soft and hot. That is what we are battling with in our cultural settings. With this new gadget, you can’t have it. And then, in other words, you are not a good wife.” The MP said.
Hon. Orone Derrick Member of Parliament from Gogonyo county encouraged researchers to put more effort on the media awareness to the public.
“We as policy makers, we shall really support you but put more awareness of the media to the public that’s the only encouragement. I want to thank the chair for organizing these researchers to come and tell us, educate us, sensitizing us about the clean energy”. Orone said.
Hon. Apollo Yeri of Tororo Municipality implored the university to look into cheaper clean energy technologies like the use of biogas from animal and human waste.
“There are some people who have started to manufacture biogas themselves locally using cow dung and pit latrine. It is a bit cheap to produce. So if you encourage them to manufacture their own biogas, and maybe teach them how to store – because they don’t store anything, just use and sometimes they overuse. If they can store, they can even sell excess and more people would be encouraged”, Yeri suggested
Hon. Clare Mugumya, the District Woman Representative of Isingiro was hopeful that Uganda’s oil wells from Kirenga would provide cheap gas for the population. She noted that other clean energy sources and gadgets are costly for ordinary Ugandans.
“Otherwise, behavior change alone will not be possible, even if we sensitize, unless the issue of affordability is seriously addressed by government”. she said.
Jane Anyango is the Communication Officer EfD Uganda
Business & Management
CoBAMS, European Partners Launch Programme to Equip Students with Polycrisis Management Skills
By Hasifa Kabejja and Ritah Namisango
Makerere University, through the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), in collaboration with international partners, is implementing a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) aimed at equipping a new generation of professionals in Africa and Europe with the knowledge and practical skills needed to understand and respond to complex, interconnected global crises.
Held under the PolyCIVIS network, the programme, titled Enhancing Skills in Polycrisis Management: African and European Approaches, brings together participants from Makerere University, the University of Salzburg, the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, and Universidad Autónoma de Madrid.
It was competitively secured under the 6th Call for CIVIS Blended Intensive Programmes by the Makerere PolyCIVIS team, comprising Prof. Edward Bbaale from the School of Economics, CoBAMS; Dr. Anthony Tibaingana from the School of Business, CoBAMS; and Dr. Kamatara Kanifa from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES).
The European facilitators include Prof. Gudrun Zagel, Dr. Sabine Hennig, and Dr. Roman Puff, all from Paris-Lodron University of Salzburg, Austria.
Tackling the Growing Reality of Polycrises
Funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ Programme under the Jean Monnet Networks, the initiative responds to the growing reality of polycrises – situations in which multiple crises, including climate change, pandemics, displacement, poverty, environmental degradation and economic instability, interact and compound one another, often resulting in consequences more severe than those of individual crises.
The BIP Workshop at Makerere University
The BIP combines virtual and physical learning to give participants both theoretical grounding and hands-on experience in polycrisis management.
During the virtual component conducted in May 2026, participants including students and academics from the participating institutions worked in interdisciplinary teams to analyze real-world scenarios, including climate disasters, refugee crises, pandemics and urban waste management. The students were required to develop and present polysolutions from the perspectives of different stakeholders, including governments, civil society and academic institutions.
The physical component, taking place in Kampala from 7th-11th September 2026, brings together students from across CIVIS consortium universities to complete the remaining course content, participate in practical activities, and develop solutions to real-world polycrisis challenges. It also provides participants with an opportunity to examine real-life Ugandan cases, including the Kitezi landfill disaster and the Bulambuli landslides. Through these case studies, students will explore how crises intersect with public health, environmental protection, poverty, security, and sustainable development, while gaining practical insights into integrated approaches to crisis management.
On the first day of the training, participants undertook an excursion to the Kiteezi Landfill. During the week, they will also engage with experts from the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), civil society and academia, and work in thematic groups to explore the legal, economic, sociological, historical, communication and educational dimensions of Kampala’s waste management challenges.
The teams will subsequently develop a Kampala waste policy paper and accompanying presentations, proposing integrated approaches to addressing the city’s waste crisis.
The learning approach incorporates case studies, simulations, role-play, guest lectures, peer learning, interdisciplinary teamwork, and problem-based learning. Participants are encouraged to move beyond identifying problems to developing practical and sustainable solutions.
Call for Integrated Approaches to Complex Global Challenges
Officially opening the programme, Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration), Prof. Henry Mwanaki Alinaitwe commended the team for securing the programme.
Addressing participants, he emphasized the need for universities to move beyond fragmented approaches to problem-solving and develop integrated responses to increasingly complex global challenges.
“Interconnected problems cannot be adequately addressed through fragmented solutions,” Prof. Nawangwe observed, stressing the importance of collaboration across disciplines, institutions, sectors and countries.
He noted that no single discipline or institution possesses all the knowledge required to address the challenges confronting societies today, calling for stronger integration of fields such as economics, public health, environmental science, engineering, governance, technology and the social sciences.
Embracing Innovative and Sustainable “Polysolutions”
Prof. Nawangwe further emphasized the importance of developing innovative and sustainable “polysolutions”- integrated responses that address multiple, interconnected crises while minimizing unintended consequences across other sectors.
He underscored the value of combining African and European perspectives, noting that while crises may manifest differently across regions because of differences in history, institutions and resources, challenges such as climate change, migration, pandemics, conflict and economic instability increasingly transcend national boundaries.
He described the partnership as an opportunity for mutual learning and co-creation of knowledge, rather than a one-way transfer of expertise.
“We must bring these experiences into conversation and determine what works, under what circumstances, and how solutions can be adapted to different social, economic and institutional contexts,” Prof. Nawangwe said.
Collaboration Beyond the Blended Intensive Programme
The Vice Chancellor expressed hope that the collaboration would extend beyond the BIP into joint research, publications, teaching, student supervision and other sustained academic initiatives.
He challenged the participants to make the most of the opportunity by learning across disciplinary boundaries, questioning established assumptions and focusing on solutions.
“The world you are preparing to lead will require people who can understand complexity, work across institutional and disciplinary boundaries, and convert knowledge into practical responses,” he said.
Ebola Outbreak Demonstrates the Interconnected Nature of Modern Crises
The Vice Chancellor further observed that the postponement of the physical component of the training following the outbreak of Ebola underscored the interconnected nature of modern crises. He noted that a health emergency can quickly disrupt education, international mobility, economic activity and institutional planning.
Appreciation by the Vice Chancellor
He commended the PolyCIVIS team and partner universities for bringing the initiative to fruition, expressing confidence that the programme would generate practical and innovative polysolutions to some of the challenges facing societies.
Strengthening international academic collaboration
In his capacity as Principal of CoBAMS, Prof. Edward Bbaale described the programme as a significant reflection of the College’s commitment to fostering an integrated approach to teaching, research, policy engagement and international collaboration.
He noted that the increasingly complex challenges facing society require institutions and professionals to transcend geographical and disciplinary boundaries and collaborate across diverse fields of expertise.
Prof. Bbaale further highlighted the value of bringing Makerere students and faculty into direct engagement with colleagues and practitioners from partner universities.
“Such engagements enrich the learning experience while creating opportunities for sustained collaboration in research, teaching and student supervision. For Makerere University, the programme represents a practical expression of its internationalization agenda, creating opportunities for students and academics from different countries to exchange knowledge, share expertise and work together to address complex societal challenges.”
Preparing future leaders for complex challenges
The programme seeks to enable learners to identify, assess and manage polycrisis situations in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while building competencies in addressing the social, environmental and economic dimensions of crises.
It also aims to develop practical skills in designing and evaluating integrated policies and polysolutions, including effective communication and public awareness strategies.
Ultimately, the initiative seeks to strengthen participants’ critical thinking, digital, spatial and 21st-century skills while promoting interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary collaboration.
The BIP also serves as a pilot initiative for the planned Joint Master’s Programme on Managing Polycrises under the PolyCIVIS framework.
Business & Management
KCCA Officials Complete Two-Week Training in Economic Appraisal and Stakeholder Analysis
Jinja, September 4, 2026
Officials from Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) have completed a two-week training in Economic Appraisal and Stakeholder Analysis, strengthening their capacity to prepare, assess and make informed decisions on public investment projects.
The training, held in Jinja from August 24 to September 4, 2026, was conducted under the Public Investment Appraisal and Risk Analysis Module II (PIAR II) programme by the Public Investment Management Centre of Excellence (PIM CoE). It brought together KCCA officials drawn from different professional backgrounds, including economic planning, engineering and other technical areas.
Speaking at the close of the training, Mr. Edison Masereka, Manager, Business Development and PPPs in the Strategy Management and Business Development Department at KCCA, commended the participants for their commitment throughout the programme and emphasised the importance of applying the knowledge gained to KCCA’s project preparation and implementation processes.
Mr. Masereka said the training comes at an important time for KCCA, given the range and complexity of projects undertaken by the Authority, which span infrastructure, transport and roads, as well as social sectors such as education, health and social protection.
He noted that weaknesses in project preparation can contribute to challenges during implementation, including delays, changes to project designs and cost overruns. He therefore encouraged the participants to use the skills acquired during the training to improve the quality of project preparation and appraisal.
“The training does not stop here. This is probably just the beginning,” Masereka said, stressing the need for the officials to continue practicing and strengthening the skills acquired.
He also expressed KCCA’s interest in continuing its partnership with the PIM Centre of Excellence through practical engagement on actual KCCA projects, noting that such collaboration would provide an opportunity for the trained officials to apply and further strengthen their skills.
Building a stronger public investment management capacity
Prof. Edward Bbaale, Director of the Public Investment Management Centre of Excellence, congratulated the participants on completing the two-week programme and commended KCCA for deliberately investing in the professional development of its staff.
He noted that the cohort had undertaken a progressive capacity-building programme, having previously completed training in the Essentials of Public Investment Management as well as Financial Appraisal and Risk Analysis before advancing to Economic Appraisal and Stakeholder Analysis.
According to Prof. Bbaale, this approach is helping KCCA build an internal pool of officers with increasingly strong competencies across the public investment management cycle.
He challenged the participants to move beyond simply acquiring certificates and apply the knowledge in their day-to-day work.
“Do not allow this training to remain in your notebooks or on your certificates. Apply it,” Prof. Bbaale urged the participants.
He emphasised that public projects should not be assessed solely on their ability to generate financial returns. Projects such as roads, drainage systems, public transport, street lighting, markets, water and sanitation may generate significant economic and social benefits even where direct financial revenues are limited.
For KCCA, he said, economic appraisal provides a broader basis for determining whether scarce public resources are being allocated to projects that generate the greatest benefits to society.
“Resources, however, will always be limited relative to our needs. We therefore cannot afford poorly conceived or inadequately appraised investments,” Prof. Bbaale said.
He encouraged KCCA to institutionalise the skills acquired through the training within its project preparation and decision-making processes and urged the participants to become champions of good Public Investment Management practice within the Authority.
Strengthening project preparation and decision-making
The training also highlighted the importance of stakeholder analysis in public investment. Prof. Bbaale observed that infrastructure and other public investments affect different groups—including residents, businesses, commuters, property owners and communities—in different ways.
He said understanding these interests early in the project cycle is essential for improving project design and implementation.
Masereka similarly highlighted the importance of strengthening the ability of KCCA officials to communicate and defend projects to different audiences. He noted that technical presentations to finance officials, senior management and political decision-makers require different approaches, while technical officers must have a strong understanding of the projects they are presenting.
He further proposed continued engagement between KCCA and the Centre, including possible executive-level sessions to help senior decision-makers appreciate the principles and processes underlying project appraisal and investment decisions.
The proposal is intended to ensure that project appraisal competencies are understood not only by technical officers but are also appreciated at the institutional decision-making level.
From training to better projects for Kampala
The closing ceremony marked the completion of the second module of PIAR II for the participating KCCA officials, but both KCCA and the PIM Centre of Excellence emphasised that the partnership should extend beyond the classroom.
Dr. John Sseruyange, the Manager of the Centre said the ultimate measure of the training would not be the certificates awarded to participants, but whether the acquired competencies translate into better-prepared projects, stronger appraisal reports, better investment choices and improved services for the people of Kampala.
He also reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to continuing to work with KCCA through training, research, technical support and policy engagement.
Business & Management
Dr Gemeda Olani Akuma’s productivity at Makerere University unearths the potential of postdoctoral fellowships
September 02, 2026: The College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) through the Environment for Development Initiative (EfD at Mak Centre) hosted a farewell event to celebrate the outstanding contributions of Dr Gemeda Olani Akuma as he concluded his postdoctoral fellowship at Makerere University.
About Dr Gemeda
Dr Gemeda Olani Akuma from the University of Cape Town, South Africa has served as a Postdoctoral fellow at Makerere University from July 2025 to September 2026.
During the Postdoctoral fellowship, Dr Gemeda has made significant contributions to research on water systems, biodiversity, and ecosystem services in Uganda. He has collaborated closely with Makerere faculty members on several research projects, with two scientific manuscripts currently under review for publication.
Beyond research, Dr Gemeda played an instrumental role in mentoring graduate students (Master’s and PhD students) by providing technical guidance on their research projects and dissertations.
A Fellowship Built on Learning and Collaboration
Speaking at the farewell ceremony, Dr Gemeda appreciated the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) for supporting his postdoctoral fellowship at Makerere University.
Specific to his postdoctoral fellowship, Dr Gemeda said: “I was focused on my work. I came here to learn, understand the wider research dynamics, enrich my experience, widen my international networks. It has been a very productive engagement. Two papers have been written, submitted to journals, and they will be published soon.”
Reflecting on his experience, he appreciated the professional relationships and academic networks built during his stay, describing them as a strong foundation for future collaboration.
“The EfD community has been like a family to me. It has been very welcoming and supportive, and it made me feel at home throughout my fellowship,” he said.
He acknowledged the support and cordial working relationship that he received from Prof. Edward Bbaale, Dr Peter Babyenda, and Mr. Gyaviira Ssewankambo.
Dr Gemeda described his fellowship at the EfD-Makerere Centre as a productive engagement that enriched his research experience, expanded his international exposure, and created valuable opportunities for future collaboration.
He pledged to remain an ambassador for Makerere University by sustaining the academic and professional relationships established during the fellowship. He expressed commitment to pursuing future joint research initiatives and invited colleagues to Ethiopia to further strengthen academic collaboration.
Sustaining Networks for Future Research
The Principal, College of Business and Management Sciences and Director-EfD Makerere Centre, Prof. Edward Bbaale, commended Dr Gemeda for his remarkable contribution to the College’s research agenda and graduate training.
“Dr. Gemeda’s work demonstrated the value of postdoctoral fellows in strengthening research and scholarly publication at Makerere University. He described his research outputs as scientifically rigorous, well disseminated, and of significant academic value,” he noted.
Underscoring the experience gained from Dr Gemeda’s productive postdoctoral fellowship, Prof. Bbaale called upon Makerere University to strengthen and institutionalize the postdoctoral programme to significantly contribute to its research intensive strategy. Prof. Bbaale articulated that postdoctoral fellowships have a great potential including deepening collaboration between researchers in Uganda and institutions abroad.
Prof. Bbaale highlighted that Makerere University should tap into the experience gained from programmes such as Dr Gemeda’s postdoctoral fellowship to improve its institutional frameworks and encourage more academic units to host postdoctoral researchers.
He commended the EfD-Makerere Centre for providing a supportive research environment and emphasized the importance of sustaining the academic networks established during the fellowship to foster future research collaboration, knowledge exchange, and joint scholarly initiatives.
Advancing Research, Policy and Graduate Mentorship
Moderating the ceremony, Dr Peter Babyenda, Policy Engagement Coordinator at College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), applauded Dr Gemeda for advancing research and policy engagement with Government of Uganda ministries and agencies.
He praised Dr Gemeda’s mentorship of Master’s and PhD students and his contribution to Natural Capital Accounting research, noting that his fellowship had made a lasting impact on research, policy engagement, and capacity building at Makerere University.
Farewell Messages from Colleagues and Participants
During the farewell ceremony, Dr Nicholas Kilimani, a research fellow at EfD and member of faculty at CoBAMS thanked Dr Gemeda for his support to Environment for Development (EfD). He expressed hope for continued collaboration, wishing him productivity and success in his next chapter.
Dr Florence Lwiza, a faculty member at the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) described Dr Gemeda as approachable and highly productive, particularly in strengthening the visibility of collaborative research. She wished him success and expressed confidence that their professional collaboration would continue.
Ms Rhoda Kahita, a member of staff at the Centre of Excellence for Africa Climate-Sensitive Macroeconomic Modelling (CEACM), praised his diligence and willingness to support colleagues, describing him as hardworking, approachable, and always ready to assist despite his demanding schedule.
Mr. Gyaviira Ssewankambo, Manager of the Environment for Development Initiative (EfD)-Makerere Centre, commended Dr Gemeda’s exceptional commitment and dedication to collaborative research.
“That experience reflected his passion, determination, and commitment to producing quality work,” Ssewankambo said.
Ms Alice Nalweera, a researcher at the EfD-Makerere Centre, appreciated the Centre for hosting Dr Gemeda and highlighted his positive attitude and teamwork, noting that he made a significant contribution to the Centre’s collaborative research environment.
Ms Ritah Namisango, Principal Communication Officer at Makerere University, applauded Dr Gemeda for advancing the University’s vision of “Building for the Future” through research, partnerships, grant writing, and international collaboration.
To re-kindle the Makerere University spirit and friendship, Prof. Edward Bbaale, the Principal College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), and some of the Master’s and PhD students he has mentored presented to Dr Gemeda commemorative Souvenirs amidst applause from the audience.
The ceremony was attended by several Makerere University officials and members of the EfD-Makerere Centre, including Prof. Edward Bbaale-Principal-College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) and Director-EfD Makerere Centre, Dr Peter Babyenda- Policy Engagement Coordinator at CoBAMS, Gyaviira Ssewankambo-Manager-EfD Makerere Centre, researchers, and members of faculty who have worked closely with Dr Gemeda.
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