On 6^th September 2024, a delegation from the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), led by Mr. Okello Joseph, visited the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) at Makerere University to explore potential collaborations aimed at enhancing research capabilities within the academic community. The visit focused on raising awareness of the URA Research Lab and discussing joint initiatives between URA and CoBAMS.

Mr. Okello was accompanied by Mr. Agaba Gerald and Mr. Sebastian Ssebuyiira from URA. Representing CoBAMS at the meeting were Dr. Kintu Ismail from the School of Business and Dr. Kavuma Susan, Head of the Department of Policy and Development Economics.

The Principal of CoBAMS, Prof. Edward Bbaale, warmly welcomed the URA team and expressed his excitement about the proposed collaboration. He acknowledged the immense potential of the URA Research Lab, which was established in May 2022 in partnership with the United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER). The lab provides anonymized tax data that can be utilized for advanced academic research and policy development, particularly in the areas of tax policy, economics, public policy, and finance.

Mr. Okello emphasized the value of the URA Research Lab, noting that, “This is a unique opportunity for researchers to access comprehensive tax data that has been collected over the last decade. We hope to bridge the gap between research and policy-making by offering data that informs reforms in taxation and public policy.”

Key points discussed during the visit included a proposal to conduct an awareness campaign within CoBAMS to highlight the underutilized resources of the URA Research Lab. The campaign would target students, lecturers, and other researchers, encouraging them to use the lab’s resources for cutting-edge research.

Dr. Kintu Ismail highlighted the benefits of the proposed collaboration, stating, “This partnership presents a real opportunity for our students to access valuable data for research and to learn from experts in tax policy. It will undoubtedly elevate the quality of our research output.”

Dr. Kasuma Susan also expressed optimism, pointing out that integrating the URA Research Lab’s data into the university’s curriculum would enhance students’ practical understanding of real-world applications in tax administration and policy.

In addition, Prof. Bbaale expressed a desire to formalize the relationship between URA and Makerere University through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This partnership would pave the way for joint research projects, guest lectures, and resource sharing, benefiting graduate students and researchers at CoBAMS.

Mr. Sebastian Ssebuyiira added, “We are eager to see how this collaboration can expand beyond just data sharing. We look forward to working on joint publications and engaging in meaningful discussions that contribute to national development.”

The meeting concluded with both institutions expressing optimism about the future of the collaboration, which promises to strengthen academic inquiry, support tax policy reform, and offer practical training for Makerere University students. Further discussions on formalizing the partnership through an MoU are expected to take place in the coming weeks.

The College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) at Makerere University held an insightful Career Guidance Day on September 6^th, 2024, under the theme, “Navigating Your Future Career Choices: Preparing for the Evolving Job Market.” The event aimed at equipping students with the knowledge and tools needed to make informed career decisions in a fast-changing employment landscape.

The event commenced with welcome remarks from the Principal of CoBAMS, Prof. Bbaale, who applauded the students for their enthusiasm in taking control of their career trajectories. He emphasized the crucial role career guidance plays in preparing students to face future challenges and take advantage of emerging opportunities in an ever-evolving job market.

Byamukama Junior, Chairperson of the CoBAMS Career Guidance Committee (CGC), also addressed the gathering, encouraging the students to actively engage with the day’s discussions and to seriously consider the career advice offered by the panelists. His message focused on the importance of informed decision-making and personal initiative in shaping one’s career path.

The opening remarks were delivered by Basalirwa Jonathan, Chairperson of the Organizing Committee, who underscored the importance of the event in helping students clarify their career goals. He extended his gratitude to the organizing team and the speakers for their dedication in making the event a success.

The keynote address was given by renowned economist Dr. Fred Muhumuza, who shared profound insights into career development. He emphasized the significance of self-awareness, urging students to “know what you want and be determined.” Dr. Muhumuza encouraged the attendees to strive for excellence in all they do and to remain open to the diverse opportunities available in emerging fields such as climate change, population growth, human rights, information technology, computer programming, and project analysis.

In an inspirational moment, Dr. Muhumuza advised students to “train your brain to come up with something important,” highlighting the need for continuous innovation and skill development to stay competitive in today’s dynamic job market.

A lively panel discussion followed, featuring industry experts and mentors who shared their experiences and offered practical career guidance. The panelists addressed students’ questions, providing insights on various career pathways and offering mentorship advice on how to successfully navigate the complex job market.

Students took advantage of the interactive session to inquire about career challenges in their fields of interest and how to align their academic pursuits with future job opportunities. The panelists offered thoughtful responses, empowering students with actionable guidance for making informed career decisions.

The event concluded on a positive note, with many students expressing appreciation for the valuable insights shared and a renewed sense of direction in their career planning.

This year’s Career Guidance Day at CoBAMS reaffirmed the importance of proactive career planning and underscored the need for students to remain adaptable, innovative, and forward-thinking as they prepare to enter the global job market.

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On August 29^th, a team of researchers from the School of Economics at Makerere University held an Inception and Methodological Workshop to kick off their groundbreaking study titled “Supporting African Youth Entrepreneurs to Accelerate Just Transition to Clean Energy and Climate-Resilient Businesses.” The workshop, which marked the official launch of the project, was attended by various stakeholders, including policymakers, private sector representatives, civil society members, and development partners.

The research team, led by Dr. Fred Matovu, provided an overview of the study’s focus and outlined the methodology that will guide the research process. The project is centered on developing climate-smart energy solutions for Youth-led Small and Medium Enterprises (YSMEs) in Uganda and Tanzania, with the ultimate goal of accelerating a just transition to renewable clean energy sources. This transition is seen as crucial for establishing climate-friendly businesses that can thrive in a low-carbon economy.

Dr. Matovu highlighted that the study will be conducted in three key phases. The first phase involves researching how YSMEs can effectively contribute to low-carbon growth through the adoption of clean energy. This phase will also identify institutions capable of providing training and mentorship in green practices, as well as assess the existing policies and regulatory frameworks related to clean energy in Uganda.

In the second phase, the research team will conduct a comprehensive survey of 50 YSMEs to evaluate their potential for adopting clean energy practices. The survey results will help pinpoint specific areas where technical assistance is needed. From these 50 enterprises, 15-20 YSMEs with the highest potential for transition will be selected for further support. Each selected enterprise will receive a tailored clean energy and gender-transformative transition plan.

The third and final phase of the project focuses on scaling these clean energy solutions. The research team will develop detailed scaling plans for the selected YSMEs, mobilize sector experts to provide mentorship, and connect the enterprises with relevant funders, investors, and networks. This phase aims to ensure that the YSMEs have access to the capital, information, and technologies necessary to support their transition to low-carbon, green growth.

The workshop was officially opened by the Deputy Principal of the College of Business and Management Sciences, who commended the initiative, emphasizing its alignment with Uganda’s Vision 2040 and the Uganda Green Growth Development Strategy (UGGDS). The UGGDS underscores principles such as resource efficiency, social inclusion, and sustainable economic growth—all of which are central to the project’s objectives.

By engaging youth-led enterprises in the transition to clean energy, the project not only contributes to the fight against climate change but also supports Uganda’s broader goal of achieving inclusive economic development and creating decent green jobs. As the project progresses, it promises to play a vital role in shaping the future of Uganda’s YSMEs, making them more resilient to climate change while fostering sustainable growth.

Research Team

UGANDA

• Prof. Fred Matovu  (Team lead)
• Dr. John Mutenyo  (Co-researcher – Energy Economist)
• Dr. Phiona Atuhaire (Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity)
• Ms P Taaka  (MA student)

TANZANIA

• Prof. Jehovaness Aikaeli  (Project leader)
• Prof. Beatrice K. Mkenda  (Co-researcher)

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