Business & Management
Scholars Advocate for Private Sector Expansion to Boost Youth Employment
In light of recent findings from a comprehensive study on the effects of digitalization on youth employment, scholars, including Dr. Matovu Fred, the Principal Investigator, are calling for a significant expansion of the private sector to address the rising unemployment rates among educated youth. The research, which delves into how the youth in Uganda are adapting to technological advancements, highlights several key areas that require urgent policy intervention.
The study reveals that Ugandan youth are increasingly adapting to technological changes through self-education, peer-to-peer learning, and continuous formal education. Despite their proactive approach, only a few organizations are offering necessary training for technological adaptation, leaving many youths to navigate these changes on their own.
Importantly, the youth have shown a strong willingness to invest in acquiring digital skills to remain competitive in the job market. Many see the digital trend not as a threat but as an opportunity to secure more decent jobs, including remote work opportunities and the ability to undertake multiple jobs simultaneously.
Policy Recommendations
Based on these findings, the researchers have put forward several policy recommendations:
- Expansion of the Private Sector: There is a pressing need to expand the private sector to absorb the growing number of educated youth entering the job market. This expansion is critical to providing more employment opportunities and leveraging the skills of the young workforce.
- Improving Internet Connectivity: To support uninterrupted use of digital systems in workplaces, it is essential to improve the reliability of internet connectivity. This improvement will ensure that digitalization efforts are not hampered by technical issues, enabling smoother and more efficient work processes.
- Reducing Data Costs: Lowering subscription fees and the cost of data is crucial to expanding bandwidth availability, which is necessary for activities such as big data analytics. Affordable internet access will empower more youths to engage in digital learning and work.
- Enhancing Cybersecurity: The research underscores the need for central coordination of cybersecurity safeguards. Implementing early warning systems for hackers and related threats will protect company systems and bolster the digital economy’s integrity.
- Reliable Data Protection Systems: Ensuring that data protection systems are trustworthy is vital. Building trust in enterprise data among third-party users and government agencies, such as the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), and Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), will encourage more businesses to digitize their operations.
Government and Private Sector Collaboration
The study’s authors emphasize that collaboration between the government and private sector is essential to implementing these recommendations effectively. By working together, they can create an environment that not only supports the digital adaptation of the youth but also drives economic growth and job creation.
In response to these findings, government officials and private sector leaders are urged to prioritize these policy recommendations. Expanding the private sector and improving digital infrastructure will play a critical role in harnessing the potential of Uganda’s youth, fostering innovation, and securing a brighter economic future for the nation.
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, these strategic measures will ensure that Uganda’s youth are not left behind but are instead at the forefront of the country’s economic transformation.
The research was funded by the government of Uganda through Makerere University Research and Innovation Fund.
The research team
PI: Fred Matovu:Â Principal Investigator (PI), Makerere University
Susan Kavuma: Co-PI, Makerere University
Hassan Mbaziira: Â Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development
Richard Sebaggala: Uganda Christian University, Mukono
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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