The College of Business and Management Sciences on 30^th October 2024 hosted a diverse gathering of government officials, policymakers, researchers, and other key stakeholders for the inception workshop of the “Land Market, Use Patterns, and Relations in Uganda” study. The event, held at Mestil Hotel in Kampala, was inaugurated by Honorable Minister of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, Hon. Judith Nabakooba, alongside Prof. Edward Bbaale, who represented the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University.

In his remarks, Prof. Bbaale underscored land as a pillar of Uganda’s economy, essential to sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, and housing. He highlighted the collaborative spirit of the workshop, where experts would engage in research-driven strategies to address Uganda’s complex land policies.

Prof. Eria Hisali, Principal Investigator for the study, discussed the critical issues arising from current land policies. Challenges such as limited tenure security have led to conflicts over land ownership, particularly in areas under customary tenure systems. He emphasized that “inadequate land registration creates uncertainty in ownership, making it difficult for landholders to confidently invest in long-term development.” Prof. Hisali further noted that restricted access to secure land titles hinders many Ugandans from using land as collateral for business growth, ultimately limiting economic opportunities.

Hon. Nabakooba detailed the government’s initiatives to address land management challenges, including the establishment of 22 zonal offices and the rollout of an electronic Land Registry (the Land Information System) to enhance efficiency and security in land administration. While acknowledging progress, she stressed that major challenges remain, including historical land injustices, overlapping claims, and capacity constraints in land governance. Approximately 70% of Uganda’s land remains under customary tenure, which is often insecure. She emphasized that while 30% of Uganda’s land is titled, providing greater security and investment potential, the untitled majority poses risks to sustainable development and economic growth. ​ The workshop aims to bridge these gaps, generating evidence-based insights to guide land policies that align with Uganda’s goals for economic growth, social equity, and environmental sustainability. This study aligns with the government’s commitment to improving land governance for sustainable development, supporting access to land for all citizens. Through this initiative, Makerere University demonstrates its dedication to impactful research that addresses the country’s most pressing development challenges.

At the recent Makerere University Entrepreneurship Congress 2024, held under the theme “Entrepreneurship as a Catalyst for Inclusive Growth”, Uganda’s State Minister for Gender, Labour, and Social Development, Hon. Balaam Barugahara, highlighted the transformative power of entrepreneurship. “Entrepreneurship promotes social mobility, fosters innovation, and empowers young people,” he said, emphasizing its role in addressing unemployment, limited opportunities, and inequality.

The event, organized by the Entrepreneurship and Outreach Center (MakEOC) under the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), focused on providing young people with practical skills and strategies for entrepreneurial success. Hon. Barugahara shared his entrepreneurial journey, urging young entrepreneurs to “start small, dream big, understand their market, and surround themselves with mentors.”

Prof. Edward Bbaale, Principal of CoBAMS, who represented the Vice Chancellor, emphasized that entrepreneurship is vital for Uganda’s economic growth and development, particularly in tackling underemployment. “We aim to reinforce that growth must be inclusive, equitable, and accessible, ensuring that no one is left behind,” he remarked. He encouraged students and faculty to leverage the university’s resources to turn ideas into marketable products.

The Dean of the School of Business, Prof. Godfrey Akileng, underscored the role of entrepreneurship in achieving Uganda’s sustainable development goals, describing it as a crucial path for economic empowerment. “Through this congress, we aim to prepare students not only to create jobs for themselves but also to drive change and innovation that can uplift communities,” he stated.

Dr. Jude Mugarura, Head of the Department of Marketing and Management, commended the congress’s efforts in fostering entrepreneurship and noted the department’s role in developing well-rounded graduates. “Our goal is to produce graduates who can innovate, create, and manage businesses and also employ others,” he said, emphasizing the shift from “job-for-life” careers to “portfolio careers.”

The congress explored four core areas of modern entrepreneurship:

1. Starting and Scaling a Small Business – Vision, resilience, and strong teamwork.
2. Entrepreneurial Leadership and Mindset – Adaptability and comprehensive business planning.
3. Technological Trends – Utilizing AI and data to fuel entrepreneurial growth.
4. The Digital Hustle – Mastering digital presence, content creation, and engagement.

The event also featured insights from a range of panel speakers. Spera Atuhaire, Country Director of BRAC Uganda, discussed their mentorship-driven employment programs designed to empower young people. “Our initiatives focus on social economy, mentorship, and savings, helping youth overcome barriers to success,” she noted, adding that BRAC provides affordable credit to address financial challenges for young entrepreneurs.

Diana Ninsiima Kibuuka, Country Director of BNI Uganda, highlighted the importance of networking and understanding the values behind each network. “Each network serves a purpose, and you must understand that purpose,” she said, sharing her personal experience transitioning from law to entrepreneurship through her connection with BNI.

CK Japheth, founder of Innovation Village, emphasized the importance of testing business ideas for viability. “How do you reduce the time spent proving an idea is viable?” he asked, encouraging entrepreneurs to validate ideas through trial and error. “Find out by trying,” he advised, reminding participants that good ideas don’t automatically lead to successful businesses.

Diana Njuguna, an Associate Partner at Nyota Capital, discussed the challenges entrepreneurs face in securing funding, pointing to issues such as poor financial structure, inadequate governance, and complacency. “Strong financial management and qualified personnel are essential,” she said, urging young entrepreneurs to prioritize growth and avoid getting too comfortable in “lifestyle businesses.”

The Congress culminated in a well-attended Students’ Expo at Freedom Square, showcasing innovative student-led products and services. Dr. Sarah Bimbona, Director of Makerere University’s Entrepreneurship and Outreach Centre, praised the event, saying, “This year’s theme resonated deeply, addressing pressing challenges in Uganda’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.”

The Makerere University Entrepreneurship Congress 2024 succeeded in inspiring a new generation of entrepreneurs, promoting discussions on innovative solutions, and fostering partnerships that support Uganda’s socio-economic growth and development.

October 29, 2024 – Makerere University, Kampala

The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has inaugurated a research lab, aimed at boosting collaboration between URA and the academic community. The lab, which opened in 2022 with support from the United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics
Research (UN-WIDER), was officially launched at a recent event attended by URA officials, faculty members, and students. Mr Gerald Agaba, a research Assistant said the lab provides researchers and students with access to URA’s rich datasets, advancing data-driven research to inform policy and economic growth strategies.

Mr. Nicholas Musoke, URA’s Manager of Research and Statistics, underscored the importance of the lab, particularly in fostering awareness among Makerere University staff and students. He noted that while access currently requires an in-person visit to URA’s headquarters, virtual access for researchers is under consideration. The lab has already been utilized by researchers from the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), including Dr. Susan
Kavuma and Dr. Ismail Kintu.

Prof. Edward Bbaale, the Principal College of Business and Management Sciences, expressed appreciation to URA for selecting Makerere University as a strategic partner, highlighting the lab’s potential to bridge academia and public policy. He stated, “Access to administrative data is essential for high-quality research. This lab provides a unique platform for both faculty and students to apply theoretical concepts in a practical, impactful way, enabling them to engage in empirical research that addresses real-world economic challenges.”

Prof. Bbaale emphasized that the lab will empower students and faculty to conduct groundbreaking research in taxation, public finance, and fiscal policy. He called on students and faculty to embrace this opportunity and produce meaningful research that can inform evidence-based policy-making in Uganda.

The URA Research Lab is envisioned as a catalyst for greater collaboration and insight into Uganda’s tax system and economic structure, fostering the production of research that can enhance revenue mobilization and economic resilience.

The lab launch marks a significant step toward creating a partnership model between Uganda’s tax authority and academia, with hopes of expanding access and engagement with more researchers across the country.