Business & Management
Public Investment Management Centre of Excellence Empowers Public Officers with Critical Financial Analysis Skills
The Public Investment Management Centre of Excellence (PIM CoE) at Makerere University, in partnership with the Ministry of Finance, Planning & Economic Development (MoFPED), recently launched an intensive training program aimed at enhancing public officers’ skills in assessing the financial implications of proposed policies and legislation. This training, sanctioned by MoFPED, is being led by experts from both PIM CoE and the Infrastructure and Social Services Department of MoFPED.
Over the course of three weeks, more than 360 public officers from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) will participate in the training, divided into cohorts to facilitate focused learning. Each cohort undergoes a two-day training session designed to build a deeper understanding of financial implication assessments, which are critical for informed policy-making.
The primary objective of this program is to equip public officers with the analytical tools necessary for assessing the financial viability of policies and legislative proposals. This capacity-building initiative aligns with Uganda’s broader goal of ensuring that government policies are fiscally responsible and contribute to national development priorities.
Several participants expressed their satisfaction with the skills acquired through this training. Mr. Avu Elly Biliku, Assistant Commissioner at the Ministry of Works and Transport, praised the training, noting that it had increased his confidence in conducting financial implications analysis for policies and bills. “I now feel more confident in undertaking Clearances for Financial Implications (CFIs) for all the bills and policies under my review,” Mr. Biliku stated. He also recommended that more public officers receive similar training to enhance the analytical capacities across MDAs.
Ms. Eunice Namara, an economist at MoFPED, highlighted that the program had significantly boosted her ability to thoroughly evaluate policies and bills. “I am now equipped to prepare detailed bills and policies with all necessary attachments, including the Statement of Financial Implications,” Ms. Namara said, underscoring how the training strengthened her capacity to contribute to evidence-based policy review and formulation.
At the close of the first cohort’s training, Mr. Paul Patrick Mwanja, Commissioner for Infrastructure & Social Services at MoFPED, emphasized the importance of aligning policy decisions with national priorities. He noted that the ministry’s renewed guidelines were informed by a comprehensive survey that identified key gaps in existing policy evaluation processes. “The new guidelines address these gaps by introducing regulatory cost-benefit analysis, and enhancing capacity in financial, economic, risk, and stakeholder analysis,” Mr. Mwanja explained.
Mr. Mwanja also urged the trainees to apply their new skills to drive positive transformation within their respective MDAs. “This commitment to capacity building is essential to not only improve policy processes but also to deliver policies that are equitable, effective, and attuned to the needs of all Ugandans,” he said, stressing the need for continuous professional development in the public sector.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Mwanja extended his gratitude to the PIM Centre of Excellence for its role in delivering this valuable training, which he described as a cornerstone in advancing Uganda’s policy-making capacity.
As Uganda continues to strengthen its public financial management systems, initiatives like this training program play a crucial role in developing the analytical expertise of public officers. With a more rigorous approach to assessing financial implications, Uganda’s government aims to foster transparent, efficient, and responsive governance that meets the evolving needs of its citizens.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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