Business & Management
Mak Environmental Economists Explore Uganda’s Albertine Oil Fields: Identifying Research and Collaboration Opportunities
A team of environmental economists from Makerere University recently visited the Albertine oil fields in Uganda to assess ongoing operations in terms of oil and gas exploration and uncover potential research and collaboration opportunities.
The field visit conducted from 17th-20th July 2024 by the EfD –Mak centre in the districts of Hoima, Buliisa and Kikuube aimed to bridge the gap between academic research and practical applications, focusing on the interaction between oil extraction activities and local communities, environmental management and sustainable development.
The centre has established two layers of policy engagement by registering key policy actors both at national and subnational levels. This year’s centre theme is “Energy Efficiency”. The theme was selected following the need for transformation from biomass dependence to cleaner energy sources at household level, but also the need for cleaner energies in manufacturing, transport among others.
The reliance on biomass is a key global challenge towards environmental protection and reversing climate change effects. In Uganda, over 85% and 13% of the population use firewood and charcoal for cooking respectively.
Established in 2018 and inaugurated at Makerere University in 2019, the EfD Mak centre strives to foster transdisciplinary research, knowledge transfer, and research-to-policy engagement and community interventions in environmental economics.
In view of the above, the centre organized a three day outreach in three districts and held her inaugural Annual General Meeting and launched a policy dialogue on 18th July 2024 at Glory Summit Hotel in Hoima which attracted over 60 people including district leadership, community based organisations, civil servants, private sector and academia.
For the last two days, the researchers led by the Centre Deputy Director Prof Johnny Mugisha visited the Uganda Petroleum Authority in Hoima, visited oil wells including the Central Processing Facility, King fisher, Tilenga Industrial Park, Kasemene site 1, the Luwero Industries Ltd Oil waste treatment plant and the Kabalega International Airport.
“The objective of visiting the oil and gas sites and companies is to enable our research fellows familiarize with activities and operations in Uganda’s oil and gas with a view of fostering researchable projects, constructive dialogue and policy developments on critical issues related to sustainable development, environmental stewardship, environmental risk management and responsible oil and gas operations in the sensitive ecosystem of Lake Albert and Murchison Falls National park”, team leader, Prof. Mugisha explained.
The centre’s areas of interest included the environmental impact assessment and monitoring, petroleum waste management practices, integration of biodiversity conservation, community engagement and socio economic impacts.
Other areas of interest were regulatory framework and compliance, water resource management and protection, climate change resilience and adaptation strategies, corporate social responsibility initiatives, long term environmental management plans and how Makerere University can collaborate effectively with the Petroleum Authority of Uganda, CNOOC, UNOC and Total Uganda to enhance research and knowledge sharing on sustainable practices, environmental conservation and petroleum management.
EfD Researchers Gain Critical Insights from Oil and Gas Community Visits
Researchers concluded a three-day visit to oil and gas communities, gaining firsthand insights into the sector’s impact and future prospects. The visit emphasized the need for informed research and sustainable planning to maximize the benefits of Uganda’s oil and gas resources and prepare for future challenges.
Firsthand Observations Critical: Dr. Madina Mwagale Guloba, Senior Research Fellow at EfD Mak, emphasized the value of seeing conditions on the ground to counteract misinformation about oil and gas exploration. “Seeing is believing, and seeing also learning from a point of view is very critical,” she stated. Dr. Guloba dispelled what she termed “corridor talk,” noting that community members affected by oil projects appeared happier and saw more opportunities. She stressed the importance of sustainable planning, saying, “In the next 30 years, people would have gotten even more opportunities.”
Cross-Cutting Research Needed: Prof. Johnny Mugisha, Deputy Centre Director, emphasized the necessity of interdisciplinary research, noting the interdependence of the petroleum sector and farming communities. He underscored that Makerere University needs to boost its research and outreach efforts to aid policy development. “From interactions in Hoima, Bulisa, and with people in the oil sector, the lessons learned indicate that Makerere University has much more to contribute, especially in research, outreach, and grassroots stakeholder engagement. We often view the petroleum and gas sector as separate from farming communities, but our experiences show a significant relationship and interaction between them. Therefore, research should not be limited to one entity but should be cross-cutting,” stated Mugisha.
On-the-Ground Engagement: Dr. Alex Tatwangire, Research Fellow and Lecturer, emphasized the value of direct stakeholder interaction, noting effective environmental mitigation plans and agricultural integration in restoring livelihoods for project-affected persons. He called for continued research to address policy gaps. The visit highlighted the importance of informed research and sustainable planning in maximizing the benefits of Uganda’s oil and gas resources while preparing for future opportunities.
Reflecting on his experience, Dr. Tatwangire remarked, “This engagement with stakeholders on the policy of energy utilization in Hoima has been incredibly useful. We’ve had the chance to observe the oil extraction process firsthand. Reading about it and hearing about it is one thing, but going on the ground and interacting with everyone involved provides a much richer understanding.”
He continued, “Seeing the wells, well pads, regulations, infrastructure, and the oil pipeline being laid, and being assured that oil will flow within a year, has been enlightening. We’ve learned a lot about the connections between the environment and how plans are in place to mitigate environmental damage. We also saw how agriculture is integrated into livelihood restoration for project-affected persons, with strategies to strengthen these livelihoods through training, seeds, and advanced technologies.”
Dr. Tatwangire concluded, “I return with a great appreciation for the progress being made. As researchers, our role is to identify gaps, explore research questions, and provide the evidence policymakers need to improve policy planning. I am grateful to EfD, our financiers, and Makerere University for these opportunities, and I hope for more such engagements to enhance our relevance in policy debates and development.”
Jane Anyango is the Communication Officer EfD Uganda
More photos from the Field Visit
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.
-
General1 week agoPress Release: Updates on Makerere University’s Staffing, 2026/7 Academic Calendar, Ebola Response Leadership
-
General2 weeks agoStakeholders of Mastercard Foundation Initiatives at Makerere University Convene to Review Progress and Strengthen Collaboration
-
General5 days agoDVCAA Commends RENU Industrial Training Programme, Calls for its Expansion
-
General2 weeks agoMakerere Strengthens Capacity to Prevent Sexual Harassment and Gender-Based Violence
-
Agriculture & Environment6 days agoCall for Applications for PhD positions in Dairy Nutrition & Agroforestry