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Empowering Rural Women Through Financial Literacy: A Spotlight on the FAAL Project

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Introduction

In the heart of Luweero District, a transformative initiative is making waves, empowering rural women with the knowledge and skills needed to achieve financial independence. On July 31, 2024, the Financial Awareness and Literacy Leadership (FAAL) project led by Dr. Hellen Namawejje from the Department of Statistical Methods and Actuarial Sciences held a dissemination event to share its findings and celebrate the success of its efforts. The event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including local leaders, community members, and the very women whose lives have been touched by the project.

Dr. Hellen Namawejje, Department of Statistical Methods and Actuarial Sciences, College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa, Financial Awareness and Literacy Leadership (FAAL) project, empowering rural women with the knowledge and skills needed to achieve financial independence, research dissemination, 31st July 2024, Luweero District, Uganda, East Africa.
Dr. Hellen Namawejje.

A Community United

The event was a testament to the power of community and collaboration. Dignitaries such as the District Deputy Mayor Prince Juuko Patrick, the Semuto SACCO Manager, the Community District Officer, and three chairpersons from the study villages were in attendance, alongside over 50 women participants. The atmosphere was one of hope and excitement, as stakeholders gathered to discuss the impact of financial literacy on rural women’s lives.

Some of the participants keenly follow proceedings. Dr. Hellen Namawejje, Department of Statistical Methods and Actuarial Sciences, College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa, Financial Awareness and Literacy Leadership (FAAL) project, empowering rural women with the knowledge and skills needed to achieve financial independence, research dissemination, 31st July 2024, Luweero District, Uganda, East Africa.

Prince Juuko Patrick, the District Deputy Mayor, inaugurated the event with a message of gratitude and encouragement. He praised the FAAL project for its dedication to improving financial literacy and urged the attendees to apply the insights gained to better their financial well-being. Other stakeholders echoed his sentiments, highlighting the critical role of financial education in fostering economic independence and community development.

Study Objectives and Key Findings

The primary aim of the FAAL project was to assess the financial awareness and literacy levels among rural women in Luweero District. The study included a comprehensive needs assessment, financial literacy training, and efforts to connect women farmers with various local associations, including healthcare, insurance, agricultural, banking, and women’s associations.

Key Findings:

  1. Financial Literacy Training: The training programs significantly enhanced participants’ abilities to make informed financial decisions regarding budgeting, saving, spending, and investing. This improvement is poised to elevate their standards of living over time.
  2. Financial Education: The study underscored the importance of accessible financial education at all life stages. It also revealed that business ownership and financial influence from family and school are vital in boosting financial literacy among rural women.
  3. Role of Associations: Membership in village savings and loan associations (VSLA) and Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs) was found to be positively associated with higher financial literacy levels.

Recommendations for the Future

Based on the study’s findings, the FAAL project put forward several key recommendations:

  1. Continuous Training Programs: Implement ongoing financial literacy training to sustain and build upon the skills acquired by the women.
  2. Community-Level Financial Literacy Curriculum: Introduce a structured financial literacy curriculum at the community level to ensure consistent and comprehensive education.
  3. Community Sensitization: Raise awareness about government initiatives related to financial literacy and empowerment to enhance community engagement and participation.
  4. Encourage Family Financial Education: Promote the teaching of financial matters within families to instill good financial habits in children from an early age.

Transformative Impact

The FAAL project highlights the profound impact that financial education can have on rural women, empowering them to achieve greater economic independence. By equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge, these women are better positioned to support themselves, their families, and their communities.

Dr. Hellen Namawejje, Department of Statistical Methods and Actuarial Sciences, College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa, Financial Awareness and Literacy Leadership (FAAL) project, empowering rural women with the knowledge and skills needed to achieve financial independence, research dissemination, 31st July 2024, Luweero District, Uganda, East Africa.
Dr. Hellen Namawejje.

Speaking on the sidelines of the training, Dr. Namawejje appreciated the support of the Carnegie Corporation of New York through the Future Africa Research Leadership Fellowship (FAR-LeaF) at the University of Pretoria for the support. She appreciated her mentor Prof. Bruno Yawe for his invaluable guidance and support.

Conclusion

The dissemination event in Luweero District was more than just a presentation of findings; it was a celebration of progress and a call to action. The FAAL project serves as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that with the right support and education, rural women can transcend financial barriers and contribute significantly to their communities’ development. As Uganda continues to embrace initiatives like FAAL, the future looks brighter for rural women striving for financial independence and a better quality of life.

Betty Kyakuwa
Betty Kyakuwa

Business & Management

PIM CoE Magazine Issue 1: Jul-Dec 2024

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Cover page of the Public Investment Management Center of Excellence (PIM CoE) Magazine Issue 1: July - December 2024. College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

The Public Investment Management Center of Excellence (PIM CoE) was conceived as a result of the 2016 PIM Diagnostic study done by the World Bank and Ministry of Finance Planning and Economic Development with support from Makerere University School of Economics that discovered inefficiencies in PIM in Uganda.

This report highlights the work, achievements and prospects of the Center. The Center plans to start offering Advanced level training through Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) in PIM and Master of Science in Economic and Investment Modelling (MEIM). I am pleased to introduce this report to the public for use by all stakeholders.

I would like to appreciate PIM CoE Secretariat, partners, staff and well-wishers for technical support, daily running of the Center and their role in the realization of these achievements.

Special thanks go to Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, National Planning Authority, Cambridge Resources International (CRI) and Makerere University for the overwhelming support rendered towards the development of the Center.

Prof. Edward Bbaale
Principal & Principal Investigator, CoBAMS/PIM CoE

Betty Kyakuwa
Betty Kyakuwa

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Somali Officials Complete Executive Training in Infrastructure Asset Management at CoBAMS

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Prof. Edward Bbaale (Seated 2nd Left) with training facilitators and the six Somali Government officials pose for a group photo. Six Somali government officials three-day Executive Training in Infrastructure Asset Management, held at Public Investment Management Centre of Excellence (PIM CoE), College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), funded by the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), 27th-29th January 2025, aimed to enhance regional capacity in infrastructure planning and management, Yusuf Lule Central Teaching, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

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.

Left to Right: Prof. Edward Bbaale, PIM CoE Manager-Dr. John Sseruyange and some of the officials follow proceedings. Six Somali government officials three-day Executive Training in Infrastructure Asset Management, held at Public Investment Management Centre of Excellence (PIM CoE), College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), funded by the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), 27th-29th January 2025, aimed to enhance regional capacity in infrastructure planning and management, Yusuf Lule Central Teaching, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

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.

Principal CoBAMS-Prof. Edward Bbaale (Right) presents a certificate to one of the officials. Six Somali government officials three-day Executive Training in Infrastructure Asset Management, held at Public Investment Management Centre of Excellence (PIM CoE), College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), funded by the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), 27th-29th January 2025, aimed to enhance regional capacity in infrastructure planning and management, Yusuf Lule Central Teaching, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

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.

UNCDF Program Manager0Mr. Joel Mundua (Left) and UNCDF Program Officer-Mr. Sunday Denis Aliti (Right). Six Somali government officials three-day Executive Training in Infrastructure Asset Management, held at Public Investment Management Centre of Excellence (PIM CoE), College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), funded by the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), 27th-29th January 2025, aimed to enhance regional capacity in infrastructure planning and management, Yusuf Lule Central Teaching, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

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.

Betty Kyakuwa
Betty Kyakuwa

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Staff of School of Statistics undertake training in Data Science

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Dr. Margaret Banga (2nd Row Right) with participants and facilitators at the kick-off of the training. Statistics and Data Science (SDS) Working Group training to build capacity in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) among its members kick off Monday, 20th January 2025 facilitated by experts from Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), Housing Finance Bank, and the School of Statistics and Planning (SSP), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa and will run until 24th January 2025. Participants are being equipped with a wide range of skills, covering topics such as text mining, unsupervised learning, neural networks, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and more.

The Statistics and Data Science (SDS) Working Group training kicked off on Monday, 20th January 2025, and will run until 24th January 2025. This training, an initiative by the college, aims to build capacity in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) among its members.

Participants are being equipped with a wide range of skills, covering topics such as text mining, unsupervised learning, neural networks, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and more. The training is facilitated by expert data scientists from the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), Housing Finance Bank, and the School of Statistics and Planning (SSP).

The SDS Working Group comprises academic staff at the School of Statistics and Planning (SSP) whose research interests focus on statistical learning and AI.

Some of the participants follow proceedings. Statistics and Data Science (SDS) Working Group training to build capacity in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) among its members kick off Monday, 20th January 2025 facilitated by experts from Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), Housing Finance Bank, and the School of Statistics and Planning (SSP), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa and will run until 24th January 2025. Participants are being equipped with a wide range of skills, covering topics such as text mining, unsupervised learning, neural networks, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and more.

On January 21, 2025, Mr. Kiyingi Simon Peter and Mr. Tusubira Brian from URA led an engaging session on the practical applications of machine learning algorithms in day-to-day activities. They demonstrated how components fed into ML models are used to classify taxpayers into high-risk and low-risk categories, showcasing the transformative potential of AI in optimizing operations.

Dr. Margaret Banga, the Dean of the School of Statistics and Planning (SSP), emphasized the transformative impact of the training on both the academic and professional development of the participants. She commended the expert trainers from the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) and other partnering institutions for their practical and insightful contributions to the sessions. Dr. Banga noted that the training is a significant step toward enhancing the teaching methodologies and research capabilities of the faculty. “By equipping our staff with advanced skills in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, we are empowering them to deliver cutting-edge knowledge to our students and conduct impactful research that addresses real-world challenges,” she remarked.

Dr. Margaret Banga (2nd L) with participants. Statistics and Data Science (SDS) Working Group training to build capacity in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) among its members kick off Monday, 20th January 2025 facilitated by experts from Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), Housing Finance Bank, and the School of Statistics and Planning (SSP), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa and will run until 24th January 2025. Participants are being equipped with a wide range of skills, covering topics such as text mining, unsupervised learning, neural networks, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and more.

The training is a testament to the SSP’s forward-thinking approach to education and research in statistics and data science. The integration of topics such as neural networks, text mining, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) underscores the need for multidisciplinary expertise in an increasingly data-driven world. Dr. Banga highlighted that this capacity-building effort aligns with the college’s strategic objectives of fostering innovation and staying ahead in the rapidly evolving fields of data science and statistical learning.

The Dean further stressed the importance of partnerships with organizations like the Uganda Revenue Authority and Housing Finance Bank, which provide invaluable industry perspectives. These collaborations ensure that academic training is not only theoretical but also applicable to practical challenges in sectors such as taxation, finance, and public administration.

In conclusion, Dr. Banga reaffirmed her commitment to continuous learning and development within the School of Statistics and Planning. She expressed confidence that the knowledge gained through the training would translate into improved academic delivery, enriched research output, and a stronger contribution to societal and economic transformation through the application of advanced data science methodologies.

Betty Kyakuwa
Betty Kyakuwa

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