The School of Business, College of Business and Management Sciences, has concluded the 3rd Annual Doctoral Colloquium Programme, 2024, which brought together 34 PhD students, including 11 third-year and 23 first- and second-year students, for a four-day engagement held from Monday October 14 to October 17, 2024.
Organized under the leadership of Prof. Godfrey Akileng, Dean of the School of Business, and Dr. Kasimu Sendawula, the colloquium focused on the theme, “Research Grounding, Framing, Problematizing, and Making a Contribution for a Seamless PhD Experience.” The event aimed to educate participants on research proposals and thesis guidelines, enhance scholarly writing and presentation skills, and foster networking between young and senior researchers.
The colloquium achieved its objectives through sessions on both provisional and full admission processes, addressing essential topics such as proposal and thesis structure, conceptualization, literature review, qualitative and quantitative data analysis, philosophy of methods, scholarly writing, and ethical clearance. Paper presentation sessions, held on Days 3 and 4, allowed students to refine their research ideas and enhance their understanding of PhD management policies, philosophical foundations, and scholarly writing skills.
Prof. Godfrey Akileng highlighted the remarkable progress of the School’s doctoral program since its inception in 2019. “We have 31 active doctoral students, and five graduates are expected in January,” said Prof. Akileng. He expressed pride in the school’s initiatives, noting the increasing publication rate among both students and staff, which reflects the growing research output. Prof. Akileng encouraged scholars to present their research, develop a matrix for comments received, and work diligently to finish their work on time.
Prof. Akileng also emphasized the importance of customer satisfaction in research, stating, “Our business thought is that the best strategy is having a satisfied work customer and addressing their needs.” He reaffirmed that the staff remains committed to supporting students throughout their PhD journey, urging them to stay focused and follow the plan.
Prof. Edward Bbaale -Principal of the College of Business and Management Sciences
In addition to the ongoing training efforts, upcoming events include the November and December research seminars, where staff members studying abroad will present their work.
During his opening remarks, Prof. Edward Bbaale, Principal of the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), emphasized Makerere University’s strategic vision under the 2020-2030 plan, which focuses on transforming the university into a research-led and innovation-driven institution. Prof. Bbaale highlighted three key pillars of the strategy: increasing graduate enrollment, establishing research entities, and bridging research and policy.
“We aim to raise the graduate student population to 30% by 2030, with 10% being international students,” Prof. Bbaale said, adding that the current figure stands at 12%, with only 2% being international students. He also noted the creation of 68 research centers and institutes, such as the School of Business Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, as key steps in developing innovative solutions through collaborative research.
Prof. Bbaale encouraged students to embrace challenges and use the resources available at Makerere University to further their academic and research goals. “Your research is not just an academic pursuit; it’s a beacon of hope and a catalyst for societal change,” he said, citing the importance of interdisciplinary research and international collaboration in shaping the future of academic excellence.
Dr. Julius Kikoma, Deputy Director of the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training
Speaking at the closing of the colloquium, Dr. Julius Kikoma, Deputy Director of the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training (DRGT) at Makerere University, praised the School of Business for its progress in doctoral training. “I’m happy to see that the school has grown its capacity to train PhDs,” Dr. Kikoma remarked, adding that the DRGT is working to make the PhD journey less isolating by organizing gatherings like the colloquium, which bring students together.
Dr. Kikoma further highlighted the reforms initiated by the DRGT to streamline PhD training, including a shift from open-ended to structured programs, cohort-based admissions, and providing full admission to students. “We’ve implemented changes to help PhD students move more smoothly through their journey,” he explained.
The symposium also featured contributions from experts such as Dr. Kassim Sendawula, the Coordinator of the PhD Programme at the School of Business, who underscored the value of expert feedback in the research process. Dr. Sendawula noted that the review process provided essential skills and insights, helping scholars refine their research and develop practical solutions.
The colloquium demonstrated Makerere University’s dedication to advancing graduate training and research, fostering a supportive community for PhD students. Dr. Kikoma highlighted that 350 applicants for PhD by research were received in the current academic year, underscoring the increasing interest in graduate studies at the university. The event concluded with a call for continued efforts to support PhD students, align research with national priorities, and maintain the momentum toward achieving the university’s vision of becoming a research-led institution.
Poor households in low-income countries face numerous risks, from extreme weather events to illness and crop failure. With limited savings and assets, even small shocks can have devastating consequences on welfare. While formal insurance products can potentially help mitigate these risks, their uptake remains remarkably low among rural smallholder farmers, who instead primarily rely on informal risk-sharing networks. This pattern persists despite evidence suggesting that informal insurance mechanisms provide incomplete coverage against shocks. These shocks translate into shortfalls in income and consumption (Karlan et al. 2014, Morduch 1999).
Studying the impact of insurance on farmers’ economic behaviour
In Nanyiti and Pamuk (2025), we focus on smallholder farmers in rural Uganda and examine how different insurance arrangements affect their economic behaviour and decision-making. Uganda provides an ideal setting to explore these questions, as only 1% of adults have formal insurance coverage, despite 67% of households depending on agriculture for their livelihoods. By comparing behaviour under formal insurance (provided by registered companies) versus informal insurance (peer-to-peer transfers), we gain insights into why formal insurance uptake remains low and how farmers respond to different risk management options.
Using a real effort task experiment, we investigate whether the incentives created by these different insurance arrangements influence productivity and risk management decisions. Our findings reveal important behavioural responses that help explain observed patterns in insurance uptake and suggest potential approaches for improving the design and adoption of formal insurance products. We find that farmers exerted less effort under informal insurance but not under formal insurance coverage, and increased their level of formal insurance coverage after experiencing a bad outcome.
The Principal, College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Prof. Edward Bbaale participated in the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) Academy in Rabat, Morocco, from 21 to 23 May 2025. The Academy, themed “Financing a Just Transition to Green and Circular Economies,” convened representatives from PAGE countries across the region.
It was designed to enhance knowledge and promote innovative, inclusive mechanisms for financing and implementing green and just transitions in Africa. The event provided a vital platform for peer learning and knowledge exchange, drawing on best practices and African case studies.
Prof. Bbaale participated in Master Class 3, which explored strategies and partnerships for scaling up training in green and inclusive finance. The session highlighted regional policy trends, rising demand for relevant skills, and importance of collaboration among governments and financial institutions.
Prof. Bbaale contributed to discussions on two critical issues:
How economics departments are adapting curricula to respond to the evolving field of green and, inclusive finance and,
The role of academic research in shaping green financing instruments and supporting reform efforts.
The Principal shared how Makerere University has taken a proactive, multidimensional approach to embedding green and inclusive finance into its economics curriculum. This includes a strong emphasis on technical modelling skills, policy relevance, and cross-disciplinary learning. He highlighted that Makerere is emerging as a regional leader in climate-informed economics education, positioning itself to contribute meaningfully to Africa’s green transition.
On Friday 23rd May 2025, a delegation from the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) visited Makerere University to strengthen partnership with the School of Economics through re-engineering economic research, capacity building, policy formulation and collaboration to impact Africa’s development and transformation.
The Engagement meeting focusing on shaping Africa’s future in research and development brought on board academic and administrative staff from the School of Economics under the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) and the AERC delegation comprising: Prof. Victor Murinde-Executive Director, Dr. Charles Owino-Manager of Strategic Partnerships and Resource Mobilisation, Ms Anna Owino-Personal Assistant to the Director and Ms Veronica Nanyanzi from State House-Uganda.
Underscoring the importance of the engagement meeting, Prof. Murinde said, “Following the keen observation of the recent global economic shifts and geopolitical uncertainty, the AERC seeks strategic partnerships with African governments and institutions to chart the roadmap through research and co-production of evidence-based economic solutions.”
Following the theme, Understanding the future of research and training collaboration with AERC, Prof. Murinde explained that the interaction also presents an opportunity to discuss the AERC Strategic Plan (2025-2035) titled, “Re-inventing the AERC for Delivering Africa’s Economic Prosperity, in which AERC is embarking on a comprehensive reform agenda, designed to strengthen research excellence, enhance policy impact and secure long-term institutional sustainability.
Prof. Victor Murinde, Executive Director of AERC (Left) and Prof. Ibrahim Mike Okumu, Dean, School of Economics (Right).
Concerned about the visibility and recognition of African researchers, Prof. Murinde reported that AERC will ensure that they are acknowledged with their names included in the publications. On the issue of network membership, EARC is considering the following categories: The distinguished service award, AERC Fellows, AERC Associates, and AERC Affiliates.
Distinguished service award-Presented to those individuals who started the work in 1988
AERC Fellows-Researchers who are active in research and capacity building
AERC Associates-For Mid-Career researchers
AERC Affiliates-For Masters’ and PhD students
The AERC was established in 1988, when a group of African scholars and Africanists voiced concern over the disconnect between economic research and policy formulation in Africa. According to the Executive Director, the founders of AERC observed that much of the existing economic research was either inapplicable to Africa’s economic challenges or inadequately utilized in local policymaking. Consequently, the group conceptualized a framework for fostering high-quality economic research tailored to Africa’s specific needs.
The collaboration between the AERC and Makerere University through its School of Economics started in 1988, and has led to impactful economic research in Africa, notable publications, increase in the number of faculty with PhDs at the School of Economics as well as mentorship.
Acknowledging Makerere University School of Economics as a key stakeholder in AERC, Prof. Murinde said, “Without your participation over the last 37 years, AERC would not be here.”
Some of the staff participating in the engagement meeting.
The Executive Director described AERC as a network of members and universities focused on providing evidence based research for policy making in Africa. Stating the key achievements, Prof. Murinde said, “A framework has been put in place to conduct research and collaboration, with AERC providing a network to work with economists across Africa. He added that the AERC has linked up the various Deans in the Member Universities in Africa both in research and the common programmes that they conduct.
Reflecting on the AERC’s journey, he noted that in 1988, the School of Economics could mention one or two members of faculty with PhDs. Over the years, with AERC’s support to research and capacity building, the School of Economics has built a critical mass of faculty with PhDs. He highlighted that some Ugandan economists have worked with the EARC Secretariat and the EARC Board. He pointed out that the most active Ugandan economists in the AERC network are based at the following entities: Makerere University (School of Economics, College of Business and Management Sciences), Bank of Uganda, Economic Policy Research Centre (the think tank), Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, National Planning Authority, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, and Uganda Development Bank.
In his remarks, the Dean of the School of Economics, Associate Prof. Ibrahim Mike Okumu credited AERC for its continued collaboration, which has significantly contributed to the growth of the School. He appreciated EARC for supporting research, scholarships provided to Masters’ and PhD fellows, support for ICT infrastructure development, and contribution towards the construction of the School of Economics building.
Stressing AERC’s contribution to research at the School of Economics, Prof. Okumu said, “AERC provided opportunities to ‘fresh’ fellows to write proposals. AERC would focus on building the idea. AERC has nurtured most of us into professional researchers/scholars.”
Engagement meeting in session.
The Dean disclosed that in addition to research, some of the personalities nurtured by AERC took on academic leadership positions and have significantly contributed to the growth of the College/School. Some of the personalities include: Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu-former Principal and Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Eria Hisali-former Principal of the College, Prof. Bruno Yawe-former Deputy Principal, Prof. Edward Bbaale-Principal of the College, Dr. Sarah Ssewanyana-Executive Director, Economic Research Policy Centre, and among others.
Presentation of the AERC strategic plan (2025-2035)
The remarks set the pace for the gist of the engagement meeting, which focused on presentation of the areas of transformation and the new research programmes respectively.
In the presentation, Prof. Murinde explained that AERC was reconfiguring its strategic direction in 2025-2035, to concentrate on the key strategic reform options organized around eight (8) core areas. They include: Research Offerings, Graduate Training, Policy Engagement for research impact, The Consortium structure and governance, Entrenching network membership, Enhanced resource mobilization for financial sustainability, Geographical inclusion, and Possible risks to the planned reforms and how to mitigate them.
Regarding the policy engagement for research impact, Prof. Murinde noted that the ground had shifted with policy makers advocating for the need to embed research into their operations. He reported that the governance structure was going to change to a more inclusive and participatory approach bringing on board stakeholders in research and capacity building.
Prof. Murinde highlighted that the new strategic plan would focus on the following new research programmes:
Security, Governance and Economic Fragility in Africa
Industrial Policy and Growth Strategies in Africa
Unlocking Africa’s Digital Potential for Economic Prosperity
Africa in a Changing World: Jobs through Trade and AfCTA
Informal Cross Border Trade (ICBT) in Africa: measurement and welfare of women, youth and their families
Human Capital, Labour Markets and Migration
Climate Change: Food Systems, Climate Finance, Climate Risk and Resilience
Africa’s Trade and Investment Strategy on China
Macroeconomic Modelling, Management and Policy Reform
Input into the AERC Strategic Plan
The participants observed that the proposed linkage between policy makers and the private sector as well as the approach of co-designing research with policy makers, would contribute significantly to research uptake.
L-R: Ogwal Denis, Proscovia Taaka and Diphus Tugume, Graduate Students participating in the Engagement meeting.
Discussing the new research programmes, the participants suggested that AERC incorporates the following aspects: Integration of Natural resources management into economic modelling; Environmental Management; Interlinkages of Youth unemployment and the Green economy; Value Chains and Emerging threats such as fake products; Urbanisation; Youth and Substance Abuse; Health economics; the Informal Sector; and Agricultural Production.
Voices of the Graduate Students
Contributing to the discussion, the graduate students namely Proscovia Taaka, Diphus Tugume and Denis Ogwal urged AERC to continue supporting the collaborative Masters programme (CMAP) in Economics.
Way forward
Prof. Murinde thanked the participants for the valuable contributions that will definitely enrich the AERC strategic plan. He indicated that some of the proposed themes/ideas, would be considered as work streams within the different research programmes. The future is centered on PhD students at Makerere University and other member Universities formulating research questions in line with the new research programmes. AERC is working on a database of researchers in Africa to facilitate speed-dating in research. AERC plans a twinning programme for African universities, which will enhance joint supervision for PhD students. He pointed out that on completion of the PhD, there will be an opportunity for a post-doc Fellowship. He emphasized that researchers who win “big” projects will be encouraged to have work streams. He revealed a plan for each School of Economics in Africa to access publications across the entire membership.