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
Uganda Launches Policy Briefs on Natural Capital Accounts to position Nature at the Centre of Economic Planning
Uganda has launched five policy briefs on Natural Capital Accounts aimed at integrating the value of the country’s forests, wetlands, water resources, land, energy systems and ecosystems into national economic planning and decision making.
The Policy Briefs, developed by the Centre of Excellence for Africa Climate-Sensitive Macroeconomic Modelling (CEACM) under the College of Business and Management Sciences, were launched on Wednesday 15th July 2026 at Makerere University.
The initiative brings together government, academia and development partners to promote climate-informed economic policies as Uganda pursues sustainable development and its economic transformation targets.
The five policy briefs address Uganda’s energy transition, declining wood stocks, natural capital integration into development planning, sustainable land use, and national water accounting amid climate change.
The five policy briefs include:
- Uganda’s Wood Stock on a Declining Pathway to Extinction: A Call for Policy Review and Action
- Uganda’s Energy System at a Crossroads: The Unsustainable Reliance on Biomass and the Need for Energy Transition
- Integrating Natural Capital into Development Planning in Uganda: Insights from the Ecosystem Service and Asset Accounts (1990-2015)
- Leveraging Land Natural Capital to Drive Uganda’s Sustainable and Inclusive Growth
- National Water Accounts Development: Tracking Uganda’s Progress amidst Climate Change.
Link to the Policy Briefs: https://bams.mak.ac.ug/policy-briefs/
Speaking at the Launch of the policy briefs, the Minister of State for Environment, Hon. Beatrice Atim Anywar who represented the Minister of Water and Environment, said natural capital accounting provides Uganda with a new approach to valuing its environmental resources.
“Today, we are launching a new way of seeing, planning and managing Uganda’s development,” Hon. Anywar said.
She noted that for years, Uganda’s economic progress has largely been measured through indicators such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which do not capture the decline or improvement of natural resources.
“But GDP does not tell us if our forests, water sources and wetlands are shrinking. It does not tell us if our forests can still hold our waters or whether our soils will still feed the next generation,” she said.
Hon. Anywar said Uganda’s natural capital, including forests, wetlands, water resources, biodiversity, minerals and fertile soils, supports livelihoods, tourism, energy generation and climate resilience. “This natural capital supports over 70 percent of our population and powers our hydropower. It feeds into tourism and buffers us against droughts and threatening floods,” she said.
She warned that degradation of these resources represents a loss of national wealth. “When natural capital is degraded, we are not just losing trees, wetlands, water or soils. We are losing wealth. We are losing jobs for our children and future generations,” she said.
The Minister said natural capital accounting allows Uganda to place nature on its economic balance sheet. “This is what natural capital accounting does. It puts nature on the balance sheet. I studied basic accounting, but I never imagined that natural resources could also be reflected on a balance sheet. Today, that is becoming a reality,” she said.
She challenged all stakeholders to ensure that every future development decision considers its impact on Uganda’s natural capital, stressing that informed choices today will secure sustainable prosperity for generations to come.
Hon. Anywar also called for recognition of the role communities play in protecting natural resources, saying traditional knowledge must complement modern science.
“Our ancestors protected the environment without maps, technology or scientific reports. They knew which areas were sacred, where water sources were protected and where forests should not be disturbed,” she said. “When communities understand that protecting a wetland or forest protects their own livelihoods, we will not need constant enforcement. People themselves will become protectors of nature,” she added.
Research Must Drive Policy Decisions
Delivering the opening remarks, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe highlighted the event as a significant milestone in strengthening climate-sensitive economic planning.
He noted that the theme of the launch and dissemination workshop, “Advancing Climate-Informed Economic Policy for Sustainable Development in Africa,” aligns with the research-led agenda of Makerere University.
Prof. Nawangwe said the launch demonstrates the role of universities in generating evidence to support national development. “Today’s event demonstrates the power of collaboration between academia, government and development partners in generating knowledge that informs public policy and advances Uganda’s sustainable development agenda,” he said.
Prof. Nawangwe said the policy briefs provide evidence needed for integrating natural capital into national planning, budgeting and investment decisions. He said the University will continue strengthening research capacity to support Uganda and Africa.
Emphasizing the urgency of informed decision-making, he observed that Africa remains one of the regions most affected by climate change while experiencing rapid population growth, placing increasing pressure on natural resources. He stressed that research-driven policies are essential for achieving climate resilience and sustainable economic growth.
The Vice Chancellor commended the Government of Uganda, particularly the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, on the country’s historic appointment as the first Co-Chair of the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action.
He recognised the Centre of Excellence for Africa Climate-Sensitive Macroeconomic Modelling (CEACM) for advancing interdisciplinary research and strengthening Uganda’s position as a regional leader in climate-sensitive macroeconomic modelling and evidence-informed policymaking.
“The Centre continues to build the capacity of African researchers and policymakers while fostering partnerships with government institutions, development partners, regional organisations, and the private sector,” he said.
Strengthening Africa’s Climate Policy Research Agenda
Prof. Edward Bbaale, the Director of CEACM and the Principal, College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), reported on Makerere University’s investment in establishing specialised centres that address critical policy challenges facing Uganda and the African continent.
He stated that CEACM was established to respond to growing global demands for climate considerations to become part of national planning, budgeting and macroeconomic decision-making.
“The Centre is committed to producing high-quality policy-oriented research while strengthening the capacity of policymakers and practitioners to respond effectively to climate and economic challenges,” he said.
He explained that CEACM was established because climate change can no longer be separated from economic planning. “It is very important that national planning, budgeting, macroeconomic frameworks and fiscal policies are not oblivious to climate change, but instead fully integrate climate-related considerations,” he said.
He stated that CEACM’s work aligns with emerging global and continental initiatives, including the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action and the Pan-African Forum of Finance Ministers on Climate Action, underscoring the increasing role of finance ministries in integrating climate priorities into economic planning and fiscal decision-making.
Prof. Bbaale added that Makerere University had positioned itself as a partner to government through research, evidence generation and capacity building. “We could not stand aside. We have to be part of this global effort and contribute the much-needed evidence, research and capacity building to support the Ministry of Finance in executing this important responsibility,” he said.
He noted that Uganda’s role as the first African country to co-chair the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action had created an opportunity for local institutions to strengthen climate-sensitive economic modelling.
Uganda’s Progress in Integrating Natural Capital into Economic Planning
Representing the GGGI Country Representative, the Manager of Climate Finance, Mr. Arthur Ssebbugga-Kimeze commended Uganda’s efforts to integrate natural capital accounting into national economic planning. “This is a critical step towards climate-resilient and sustainable development,” he acknowledged.
The Manager of Climate Finance applauded the collaboration between Makerere University, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, and development partners in generating evidence that supports informed policymaking.
He also recognised the Government of Denmark for its continued support in advancing climate-smart economic policies through the Denmark-EGP partnership.
Emphasizing the significance of natural capital as a key pillar of economic prosperity, Mr. Ssebbugga-Kimeze called for sustained investment in protecting these assets. “Uganda’s experience is increasingly informing climate finance and policy discussions across Africa through the Pan-African Finance Ministers’ Forum on Climate Action,” he added.
He called for strong partnerships among government, academia, and development partners to ensure that research continues to drive evidence-based policymaking and sustainable economic growth, reaffirming GGGI’s commitment to supporting Uganda’s green growth agenda.
Policy Briefs Must Move from Shelves to Decisions
Representing the Embassy of Denmark in Uganda, Ms. Nina Guldbæk van Leeuwen, Counsellor and Team Leader for Politics, Regional Affairs and Refugee Support, said natural capital accounting is critical for building climate-resilient economies.
She commended Uganda’s leadership as co-chair of the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action. “These policy briefs are crucial in enhancing the role of economic, fiscal and financial policies in addressing climate change in Uganda and Africa as a whole,” she said.
Ms. Van Leeuwen said reliable natural capital accounts enable finance ministries to integrate climate considerations into economic planning. “Ministries of Finance require these accounts to support macroeconomic modelling, which can only be developed through a strengthened and collaborative national statistical system,” she said.
She urged stakeholders to ensure the research informs actual decisions. “Let us ensure that these policy briefs do not remain on institutional shelves but are actively used to inform decisions and policies going forward,” she said.
Natural Capital Data will improve Economic Decision
The Acting Commissioner for Macroeconomic Policy at Uganda’s Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Mr. Davis Vuningoma, called for climate change to be treated as a macroeconomic and fiscal challenge rather than solely an environmental issue.
“Climate risks pose significant threats to agricultural productivity, energy generation, infrastructure, government revenues, and fiscal stability,” he noted.
Mr. Vuningoma said natural capital accounting will strengthen Uganda’s ability to make informed economic decisions.
He warned that climate change poses economic risks that could affect Uganda’s fiscal space. “If we do not address these challenges, our fiscal space could shrink, and our ability to provide public services could be affected,” Mr. Vuningoma said.
He said Uganda’s natural resources have historically not been fully reflected in traditional economic measurements. “Uganda is richly endowed with natural capital, including forests, wetlands and water resources. However, traditional measures of economic performance have often failed to fully capture the value of these assets,” he said.
Mr. Vuningoma said the policy briefs provide practical options for government as Uganda seeks to expand its economy. “This is particularly important at a time when Uganda is pursuing ambitious economic transformation targets, including the goal of growing the economy tenfold and achieving a USD 500 billion economy,” he said.
Key Findings Highlight Pressure on Uganda’s Natural Resources
Presenting the highlights, Dr. Peter Babyenda, the Coordinator of CEACM, disclosed that the policy briefs highlight growing pressure on Uganda’s natural resources.
The Energy System at Crossroads brief found that traditional biomass accounts for about 87 percent of Uganda’s final energy consumption, highlighting continued dependence on firewood and charcoal.
The Wood Stock Declining Pathway brief found that Uganda’s national wood resources declined by 45 percent between 1990 and 2015, with projections warning of possible exhaustion of available wood supply between 2032 and 2040 under current trends.
The Land Natural Capital brief identified unsustainable agricultural expansion, deforestation and urbanisation as major drivers of land degradation.
The Ecosystem Services and Asset Accounts brief noted that although the monetary value of ecosystem assets increased between 1990 and 2015, natural capital value per person declined by 17.7 percent due to population growth.
The National Water Accounts brief highlighted agriculture as the largest water user, accounting for 55.4 percent of total water abstraction in 2024, while warning of increasing climate risks.
Panel Discussion: Advancing Climate-Informed Economic Policy for Sustainable Development in Africa
Moderated by Prof. Edward Bbaale, the session featured the following panellists: Dr. Ronald Kaggwa-National Planning Authority, Mr. Wilson Asiimwe-Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Mr. Nathan Mununuzi-Ministry of Water and Environment, Mr. Godwin Kamugisha-National Environment Management Authority, and Dr. Peter Babyenda-CEACM Coordinator and member of faculty at Makerere University College of Business and Management Sciences (MakCoBAMS).
The Panelists argued that assigning monetary value to forests, wetlands, water resources, and other ecosystems would enable evidence-based budgeting, investment decisions, and environmental protection while capturing costs ignored by traditional GDP measures.
They stressed the need for stronger institutions, increased funding, enhanced research and capacity building, and closer collaboration between government, academia, and development partners.
The event, organized by CEACM, brought on board distinguished stakeholders including the Minister of State for Environment, Hon. Beatrice Atim Anywar who represented the Minister of Water and Environment, Hon. Maj. Gen. (Rtd.) Kahinda Otafiire, Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Principal, College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), and Director CEACM, Prof. Edward Bbaale and representatives from different Ministries and Agencies such as, the Embassy of Denmark in Uganda, the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, the Ministry of Water and Environment, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, and among others.
CEACM is a research and policy centre that supports African countries in integrating climate change and natural capital into economic planning through research, capacity building, and evidence-based policymaking. CEACM is one of the centres within the School of Economics at the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) at Makerere University.
The Public Investment Management Centre of Excellence (PIM CoE) at Makerere University is set to benefit from a grant under the World Bank-supported PIM-Plus Project, an initiative aimed at strengthening Public Investment Management Systems and enhancing the capacity for effective project planning, appraisal, implementation, and monitoring in Uganda.
Through the project, the Centre is expected to receive funding of approximately USD 8 million to support the construction of a modern teaching and residential facility. The proposed infrastructure is intended to enhance the Centre’s capacity to deliver high-quality training, research and technical advisory services in Public Investment Management (PIM) to government institutions and other stakeholders across the region and beyond.
The project’s construction activities are anticipated to commence in the next financial year following the completion of the necessary preparatory processes, including feasibility studies and project design.
As part of the ongoing project preparation activities, the PIM CoE today hosted a delegation of officials from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED), who visited the Centre to assess progress made towards the implementation of the PIM-Plus Project. The visit provided an opportunity for the Ministry team to review the Centre’s readiness, discuss key project milestones, and identify areas requiring further attention to ensure timely project execution.
The Ministry delegation was led by Ms. Esther Ayebare, Ag. Assistant Commissioner, Public Investments and Project Analysis Department who commended the Centre for the progress registered thus far. She emphasized the importance of adhering to the project preparation timelines and urged the PIM CoE team to expedite the completion of the feasibility studies and other prerequisite activities necessary for project approval and commencement.
Ms. Ayebare noted that the successful implementation of the project will significantly strengthen the Centre’s role as a national and regional hub for capacity building, research and knowledge dissemination in Public Investment Management. She further underscored the Government’s commitment to supporting initiatives that enhance the quality of public investments and contribute to improved service delivery and sustainable economic development.
The Director of the PIM Centre, Prof. Edward Bbaale reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to ensuring that all project preparation requirements are completed within the stipulated timelines. He noted that the planned facility will provide a conducive environment for training, accommodation and collaborative learning thereby strengthening the Centre’s ability to support the Country in developing and managing high-quality investment projects.
Dr. John Sseruyange, the Manager of the PIM Centre of Excellence emphasized that the Centre remains committed to delivering high-quality, demand-driven training courses that respond to the evolving needs of Public Investment Management practitioners and contribute to the successful implementation of Uganda’s Public Investment Management reform agenda. He further noted that the project will enable the Centre to effectively fulfil its mandate and contribute more meaningfully to addressing PIM capacity constraints in the region. The PIM-Plus Project forms part of broader efforts by the Government of Uganda and its development partners to improve the efficiency, effectiveness and impact of public investments, ensuring that public resources are directed towards projects that deliver maximum socio-economic benefits for citizens.
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