The Public Investments Management Centre of Excellence officially launched a two-week training program focused on Financial and Risk Analysis of Public Investments today September 23, 2024. Approximately 30 economists from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) are participating in this intensive training, which aims to enhance their skills in public investment management.

The training kicked off with an opening ceremony led by Prof. Ibrahim Mike Okumu, the Dean of the School of Economics at Makerere University. Prof. Okumu expressed gratitude to the Government of Uganda for its generous funding that has made this centre possible. He also acknowledged the dedicated trainers, who bring expertise from Makerere University, the National Planning Authority, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, and Cambridge Resources International.

“This training is not just an opportunity for professional development; it is a crucial step towards ensuring effective management of public investments in Uganda,” Prof. Okumu stated. “The knowledge gained here will have a lasting impact on our nation’s long term economic landscape.” This is because this training enables us to grow a critical mass of planners who have a potential to appraise projects so that we limit bad public projects and increase public project efficiency by increasing the link between public projects and the economy.

Dr. John Seruyange, the Centre Manager, welcomed the trainees and praised their commitment to this capacity-building initiative. “Your presence here reflects a dedication to improving our public investment processes,” he said. “Over the next two weeks, you will engage in rigorous training designed to equip you with the necessary tools to make informed financial decisions and effectively analyze risks associated with public investments.”

Joseph Ahaisibwe from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development noted that the programme integrates the different modules of the appraisal such as demand/market analysis, technical and environment analysis, financial, economic and risk analysis so as to ensure a 360⁰ degree view and avoid most of the challenges that have in the past resulted into project delays. He noted that, the programme has started yielding results through increased number of projects being appraised from 10% in 2016 to now over 80% in 2024. “This performance raises hope that as more participants are trained, the dividends will be more to Government”. Joseph noted. He implored participants to pay keen attention and utilize the faculty members to the maximum so that as they go back to their places of work, there is value to add.

Participants hail from a range of organizations, including the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED), the National Planning Authority (NPA), the Uganda Police, the Ministry of ICT, as well as Muni University and Makerere University. This diverse representation underscores the collaborative effort required to enhance public sector capabilities.

The training program promises to be both challenging and rewarding, setting the stage for the development of a skilled workforce ready to tackle the complexities of public investment management in Uganda. As the programme unfolds, participants will not only gain valuable knowledge but also contribute to the overarching goal of fostering sustainable economic growth for the country.

The Department of Population Studies on 19th September 2024 hosted Ms. Rosemary Kisembo the Excecutive Director of the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), for highly informative guest lecture attended by students from Year 1 to Graduate level. The event, focused on the importance of civil registration in Uganda, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16.9: Legal Identity for All.

Dr. Peter Kisaakye initiated the session by welcoming the students and introducing the Principal of CoBAMS, who expressed gratitude to students for their academic commitment. Dr. Allen Kabagenyi, Head of the Department of Population Studies, gave an insightful overview of the department’s academic programs and the integral role of civil registration in research and societal development. She emphasized the department’s values of Integrity, Professionalism, Collaboration, Accountability, and Innovation, while highlighting the department’s five academic programmes, including Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD programs in Population Studies.

The highlight of the day was the keynote address by Ms. Rosemary Kisembo, Executive Director of NIRA. Ms. Kisembo discussed the significance of civil registration in Uganda and shared national statistics that underscored the urgent need to increase registration rates. She outlined the key components of civil registration, namely that it must be Compulsory, Continuous, Universal, and Permanent (CCUP), while drawing parallels between human life cycles and crucial civil events like births and deaths.

Ms. Kisembo also shared the latest national identification registration statistics, revealing that 59.7% of Uganda’s population is currently registered, while 41.3% remain unregistered. She encouraged students to become advocates for universal registration, noting that the absence of such data negatively impacts future investments in various sectors, including political, economic, and social development.

The session featured an engaging question-and-answer segment, followed by closing remarks from Dr. Patricia Ndugga and the Deputy Principal, Prof. James Wokadala. Prof. Wokadala extended his appreciation to NIRA for their collaboration and called for a formal partnership between the two institutions, with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate joint research and staff exchanges.

The guest lecture was a resounding success, reinforcing the critical role of civil registration in national development and providing students with invaluable insights into its practical applications.

_{Compiled by Joseph Buwule & Jane Anyango}

On 17^th September, 2024 a team of EfD-Mak, and Inclusive Green Economy (IGE) fellows led by Uganda’s Policy Engagement Specialist Dr. Peter Babyenda visited Uganda’s Pioneer Motor Vehicle Company engaged in the production of Electric and solar powered vehicles –the Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC).

The Kiira Motors Corporation represents a significant achievement in Uganda’s technological and industrial sectors, showcasing the country’s commitment to innovation and sustainable development in the automotive industry.

As part of the broader effort to engage key policymakers in discussions on sustainable development, the visiting team from EfD-Mak included representatives from Government Ministries and Agencies namely; the National Planning Authority, the Ministry of Water and Environment, and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.

These ministry officials  are crucial in formulating Uganda’s National Development Plan, and seeing Kiira Motors’ operations firsthand, offers a real-world perspective on how green technologies can be integrated into the country’s future industrial growth.

The Kiira Motors plant, seated on 100 acres is located in Jinja district in Eastern Uganda. The team toured the industrial park to witness the intersection between innovative vehicle production and environmental sustainability.

Representing the Director EfD-Uganda, the country’s IGE Engagement specialist  Dr. Peter Babyenda said, the current EfD Center’s focus is on reducing emissions through cleaner, more efficient energy sources aligned perfectly with Kiira Motors production of electric and solar vehicles. “We selected Kiira Motors because it is championing the production of efficient cars,” he said, adding that the partnership can help Uganda transition towards cleaner transportation systems.

KMC is a Ugandan automotive company that was established in collaboration with Makerere University’s College of Engineering, Design, Art, and Technology (CEDAT). The company is pioneering the production of electric buses in Uganda. with an impressive plant capable of manufacturing 2,500 vehicles annually. The plant is contributing to the country’s shift away from fossil fuels and towards electric vehicles (EVs), significantly reducing emissions.

Babyenda noted that collaboration between researchers, policymakers, and private-sector innovators like Kiira Motors is essential for achieving Uganda’s climate goals. “How can we ensure that we reduce emissions to meet our Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement?” he asked, pointing out that integrating electric vehicles into public transportation systems is one solution.

Babyenda also highlighted the importance of supporting small-scale operators, such as taxi owners, in transitioning to cleaner vehicles like Kiira’s electric buses.

Dr. John Seruyange, a researcher from the EfD-Mak Center applauded the synergies between EfD’s research focus on energy efficiency and Kiira Motors’ production of electric vehicles. “We’re seeing that Uganda has taken a significant step towards energy transitions, and visiting Kiira Motors is a learning opportunity for us to see how these advancements align with our research,” he said.

The Director of Product Development at Kiira Motors Eng. Richard Madanda,  provided an in-depth tour of the plant, explaining the company’s environmentally friendly processes from water recycling systems to tree-planting initiatives. “The facility exemplifies sustainable industrial practices and we  are mindful of the market and the environment because the Kiira Motors’ production of electric vehicles directly reduces greenhouse gas emissions”, said Mandanda

Makerere University is playing a pivotal role in Uganda’s pursuit of a green economy and industrial growth. It is hoped that the collaboration between the EfD-Mak Center and Kiira Motors will be a significant step towards creating a cleaner and greener Uganda.

The Genesis of Kiira Motors Corporation

Early Beginnings (2007-2008): The journey of Kiira Motors Corporation began in 2007 when Makerere University, led by Prof. Sandy Stevens Tickodri-Togboa and Mr. Paul Isaac Musasizi, joined an international consortium for the Vehicle Design Summit (VDS) organized by MIT. The consortium aimed to develop the Vision 200, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle targeting the Indian market. Makerere University, the only African participant, was responsible for designing and integrating the Low Power Electronics and Data Networking Systems. The Vision 200 was completed and showcased at the Dream Exposition in Torino and the Museo Nazionale dell’Automobile in Turin from September to November 2008, marking a significant achievement and laying the groundwork for future projects.

 Establishment of CRTT and Kiira EV Project (2008-2011): Following the success of the Vision 200, Makerere University established the Center for Research in Transportation Technologies (CRTT) in December 2008, officially approved on January 1, 2011. CRTT aimed to drive research and innovation in transportation, particularly focusing on green mobility solutions for Africa. The Kiira EV Project, the first initiative under CRTT, involved designing and building a two-seater plug-in electric vehicle. The name “Kiira EV” was suggested by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni during a visit in December 2009, and the project received financial support from the Presidential Initiative Fund for Science and Technology Innovations, enabling its development from January to October 2011.

Launch and Expansion (2011-2016): The Kiira EV, Africa’s first electric vehicle, was launched by President Museveni on November 24, 2011. The successful completion of this project garnered widespread recognition and led to the proposal for establishing a vehicle manufacturing plant in Uganda. The Kiira Motors Project (KMP) was presented to the President and government officials in December 2011, receiving strong support. KMP continued to advance with the development of the Kiira EV SMACK, an electric hybrid vehicle unveiled in Kenya in November 2014, and the Kayoola Solar Bus, an electric solar bus launched in February 2016.

These innovations underscored the importance of green mobility and Uganda’s role in sustainable transportation solutions.

Recognition and Impact (2016-Present): Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) earned the 2016 Frost & Sullivan Visionary Innovation Leadership Award in Sustainable Mobility for its contributions to green mobility. The organization also advanced scientific knowledge through international conferences and played a key role in shaping the East African Community Automotive Industry Development Policy.

Jane Anyango is the Communication Officer EfD Uganda