Business & Management
Passing the Torch: Dr. Wokadala Hands Over Deanship to Dr. Banga
In a momentous handover ceremony on Friday, November 8, 2024, Dr. James Wokadala, the outgoing Dean of the School of Statistics at Makerere University, officially transferred the mantle of leadership to his successor, Dr. Margaret Banga. This transition marks not only the end of a progressive five-year tenure by Dr. Wokadala but also the dawn of a promising new chapter under Dr. Banga’s stewardship.
Reflecting on his tenure from 2019 to 2024, Dr. Wokadala proudly recounted significant strides made in academic programming and graduate training. “We have made tremendous progress in reviewing and introducing new academic programs, including the Master of Science in Quantitative Economics and PhD in Population Studies,” he shared. His focus on graduate training has indeed paid off, with an increase in the number of master’s graduates—a testament to the school’s commitment to advancing statistical and quantitative expertise.
Dr. Wokadala also highlighted the school’s success in building partnerships with key organizations such as Prudential Assurance Uganda, the World Bank, and esteemed international universities. Yet he acknowledged that challenges remain, particularly in staff development and school structure. “We must incentivize our staff to move up the career ladder,” he urged, emphasizing the importance of nurturing talent to secure the school’s future growth.
As he bid farewell, Dr. Wokadala expressed deep gratitude to Makerere University’s management, staff, and student leaders for their invaluable support throughout his tenure. He assured Dr. Banga of his continued support and stressed the importance of fostering research, community engagement, and academic innovation as she steps into her new role.
In her address, Dr. Banga, the newly appointed Dean, conveyed a vision centered on collaboration, teamwork, and excellence. She expressed appreciation for Dr. Wokadala’s dedication and pledged to build on his legacy. “I request that we all work together,” she urged. “We cannot move the School of Statistics forward if we are divided.” Dr. Banga committed to strengthening relationships with key collaborators, including ISTAC and the World Bank, as well as exploring new partnerships.
Dr. Banga’s priorities also include the professional development of staff, particularly assistant lecturers working towards PhDs. She acknowledged the unique challenges they face in balancing teaching responsibilities with research and pledged her support to ease their path. “I will work with them, identify areas needing help, and seek support from college management,” she promised.
As she takes the helm, Dr. Banga has also committed to supporting student welfare, aiming to be a “mother” figure as advised by her predecessor. “I’ll work with students where I can, and when necessary, involve the ‘father’—the principal,” she remarked with a smile.
The ceremony saw congratulatory remarks from various university leaders, each reflecting on Dr. Wokadala’s achievements and extending warm wishes to Dr. Banga. Professor Edward Bbaale, Principal of the College of Business and Management Studies (CoBAMS), commended Dr. Wokadala for a seamless transition and praised his leadership as a model for future deans. “Handing over office peacefully is not easy; it’s a big deal, a day to celebrate and thank God,” he said. Prof. Bbaale emphasized the crucial role of deans as academic and research leaders and encouraged Dr. Banga to carry forward the school’s legacy of excellence.
Luwaliza Aggrey, the university’s Internal Auditor, praised the school’s clean financial record during Dr. Wokadala’s tenure, attributing it to transparent and accountable management. “We pray for a conducive environment to move forward,” he said, underscoring the importance of continuity.
Dr. Wokadala will now take on the role of Deputy Principal at CoBAMS, where he is expected to continue contributing to the university’s vision and mission.
As Dr. Banga embarks on her journey as Dean, her commitment to unity, collaboration, and academic excellence bodes well for the future of the School of Statistics. With the foundation laid by Dr. Wokadala and the support of faculty, students, and university leaders, she stands poised to lead the school to new heights.
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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