Business & Management
First Year Students Welcomed to CoBAMS
On August 6, 2024, the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) at Makerere University held an orientation meeting for its first-year students. The event aimed to acquaint the new students with various aspects of university life, including registration, finance, tuition, guidance and counseling, and library services.
The Principal of the College, Prof. Edward Bbaale, delivered an inspiring welcome address, emphasizing the exciting and transformative journey the students were embarking on. He highlighted the college’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and leadership, and encouraged students to engage fully with the academic environment.
“The College of Business and Management Sciences is a dynamic and diverse academic environment. We are dedicated to fostering a culture of intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and professional development,” Prof. Bbaale said. He also extended a special welcome to students joining the Schools of Economics, Business, and Statistics, each offering rigorous programs to prepare them for success in their chosen fields. Quoting the Bible, he, he reminded the students that this was a season for their undergraduate studies and they ought to use it well.
The School of Economics will teach you to understand the complex mechanisms that drive markets, shape public policy, and impact global economies. While the those joining the School of Business, will immerse themselves in the principles and practices that form the backbone of successful enterprises. He said those joining the School of Statistics, you learn to master the techniques of data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
“You will learn to think critically about economic problems, develop robust analytical skills, and apply them to real-world challenges. Your journey here will be both intellectually stimulating and profoundly rewarding,” Prof. Bbaale said. He also encouraged them to build not only their education but also their spiritual lives.
The Deputy Principal, Prof. James Wokadala, addressed the importance of class attendance, discipline, and hard work. He reminded students that their academic journey required dedication and perseverance.
“Avoid peer pressure practices, always attend lectures physically and also actively be involved in discussion groups,” he said, assuring the students of a conducive environment for them to exploit their potential.
Prof. Wokadala encouraged them to avoid getting any retake which could disadvantage their chances of getting good jobs in the future
He assured them of the college’s commitment to promote students centered teaching and discussions both academic and non-academic.
He said students’ voices and concerns will be articulated in various fora including academic boards, administrative board meetings and students’ associations, where they shall be represented in these boards meetings.
The college bursar provided essential information on tuition payment procedures, ensuring students understood the financial commitments, timelines and processes involved. Meanwhile, the registrar guided students on registration and enrollment on the university’s online system, emphasizing the importance of timely and accurate registration.
A crucial part of the orientation was the session with the university counselor, who spoke on responsible dating, the importance of avoiding unprotected sex, and effective stress management techniques. This advice aimed to help students navigate personal challenges while maintaining their academic focus.
The orientation meeting provided a comprehensive introduction to university life, ensuring that the new students were well-prepared to start their academic journey at Makerere University. The College of Business and Management Sciences looks forward to seeing its students thrive and make significant contributions to their fields and communities.
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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