Business & Management
Makerere Researchers Advocate for Efficient Use of Water and Environmental Resources at 8th Uganda Water and Environment Week
At the 8th Uganda Water and Environment Week (UWEWK 2025), held from March 17 to 21 at the Ministry of Water and Environment’s headquarters. Makerere University researchers called for more efficient management of water and environmental resources. The event, organized by the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) through the Water Resources Institute brought together stakeholders from various sectors to discuss challenges and solutions related to water, environmental sustainability, and climate change.
The theme of UWEWK 2025, “Water and Environment Resources for Enhanced Resilience and Improved Incomes and Livelihoods,” focused on promoting sustainable use of natural resources to enhance resilience and improve livelihoods. The week-long event also commemorated International Forest Day, World Water Day, and World Meteorological Day.
Prof. Edward Bbaale, Director of the EfD-Mak Centre, delivered a keynote address on “Equitable and Sustainable Use of Water and Environmental Resources for Improved Incomes and Livelihoods.” Participating via Zoom from an Inclusive Green Economy workshop in Ethiopia, Bbaale emphasized the critical role of water in economic development, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, energy, health, and industrialization.
“Water is fundamental to the success of many sectors. It influences health, education, agriculture, and energy, all of which are integral to economic growth,” Prof. Bbaale stated. He noted that water is vital for manufacturing, services, and industrialization, and is a primary energy source in Uganda, where the country heavily relies on hydroelectric power. Globally, agriculture accounts for about 70% of freshwater use, and water is also crucial for transportation and the health of ecosystems.
However, challenges such as climate change, pollution, and resource mismanagement continue to threaten water availability and access. Prof. Bbaale referenced global data showing that 40-70% of developing countries face a lack of access to safe drinking water, exacerbating inequality and sparking conflicts. He also highlighted the economic implications of water scarcity, citing the example of India, where over-extraction of groundwater could lead to a 6% GDP loss by 2030.
In Africa, despite possessing some of the world’s largest freshwater systems, over 400 million people lack access to safe drinking water. Prof. Bbaale pointed to the shrinking of Lake Chad and the geopolitical tensions surrounding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Nile, emphasizing the need for cooperative water management. In Uganda, water bodies like Lake Victoria face pollution from industrial waste, untreated sewage, and agricultural runoff, threatening the livelihoods of millions dependent on the lake.
Prof. Bbaale also shared success stories of sustainable water management, highlighting Singapore’s water self-sufficiency model, Israel’s efficient use of recycled water for agriculture, and the Netherlands’ world-class flood management systems. He urged African nations, including Uganda, to adopt similar strategies to ensure the sustainability of water resources.
“Water scarcity, if not addressed, could lead to social unrest and significant economic losses. However, with proper management, water resources can drive industrialization, trade, and job creation,” Prof. Bbaale concluded, calling for continued investment in sustainable water practices, such as expanding irrigation coverage and promoting clean energy.
A Robust Natural Resource Accounting Required to Support Sustainable Development in Uganda – Dr. John Sseruyange
In a parallel session, Senior Research Fellow Dr. John Sseruyange participated in a policy dialogue on Natural Capital Accounting for Nature Positive Economic Planning, discussing the efforts of the EfD-Mak Centre at the National Water and Sewerage Corporation.
Dr. Sseruyange emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to natural resource accounting in Uganda, noting that while natural capital—such as forests, wetlands, and water—is crucial to the nation’s economy, its evaluation has often been too narrow. Resources like land, fisheries, and marine assets are frequently overlooked in discussions.
“Natural capital is often misunderstood and narrowly defined,” Dr. Sseruyange explained, stressing that a broader approach is necessary to understand Uganda’s true natural wealth. He pointed out the historical undervaluation of natural resources by policymakers, highlighting that while depreciation of physical capital is considered in the country’s net national product (NNP), the degradation of natural resources such as land, water, and ecosystems is not factored in. This imbalance limits Uganda’s ability to fully account for its wealth and economic potential.
Dr. Sseruyange also discussed the role of the Environment for Development (EfD) Mak Centre, which conducts collaborative research with government agencies and local stakeholders to ensure that findings are grounded in real-world issues and relevant to policy development. The center’s Inclusive Green Economy (IGE) program trains senior civil servants on critical environmental topics like forestry, biodiversity, and energy efficiency, particularly in Uganda’s transport sector.
The EfD-Mak Centre’s research has also focused on energy efficiency and emission reduction in Uganda’s transport sector. Research teams have worked with stakeholders, including border-border operators and taxi drivers, to gather data and refine policies that can impact Uganda’s environmental and economic future.
“We don’t just write papers; we take our findings to local governments and communities to gather feedback and integrate it into our work,” Dr. Sseruyange stated, emphasizing the practical application of research to inform policymaking at all levels. He also stressed the importance of making technical research accessible to policymakers and the public, ensuring that it can be acted upon.
The session concluded with a call for continued collaboration between researchers, government agencies, and local communities to improve Uganda’s natural capital accounting. Such efforts are essential to enhancing environmental resilience and advancing sustainable economic growth.
Call for Urgent Adaptation Measures to Safeguard Uganda’s Agricultural Sector from Climate Variability
Dr. Peter Babyenda, the IGE Engagement Specialist, presented a paper during the side event under the theme Sub-theme 2: Water and Environment for Climate Action. His paper, titled “Adaptation to Climate Variability Safeguards Welfare Loss in Uganda,” focuses on the critical need for effective climate adaptation strategies to protect the welfare of Uganda’s rural farming households.
Presenting via Zoom from an Inclusive Green Economy workshop in Ethiopia , Babyenda stressed that Uganda is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate variability, with about 68% of households relying on rain-fed agriculture for their livelihoods. According to Babyenda, this dependency makes Ugandan farmers particularly susceptible to extreme climate events, including floods, droughts, altered rainfall patterns, and rising temperatures. These changes, Babyenda explained, not only threaten food security but also exacerbate poverty.
“Climate variability is no longer a future threat – it is a present reality for millions of Ugandans,” said Dr. Babyenda. “Effective adaptation measures can mitigate these impacts and significantly improve the welfare of farming households.”
In his presentation, Dr. Babyenda used data from six waves of Uganda National Panel Surveys (2009-2019) and historical climate data from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, spanning the years 1979-2013, to assess the impact of climate variability on household welfare. He also applied the Endogenous Switching Regression model to evaluate the effect of adaptation decisions made by farming households.
The study revealed that households that adopted climate adaptation strategies saw a measurable increase in their welfare, with an average gain of 4,054 Uganda shillings (approximately $1.2) per adult equivalent. However, Dr. Babyenda highlighted that while some adaptation measures proved beneficial, not all were immediately advantageous. The initial costs of adaptation can result in short-term losses, but over time, the benefits outweigh these challenges.
“Farmers who adapt to climate variability generally experience less damage to their livelihoods compared to those who do not,” Babyenda noted. “However, the key to success lies in identifying the most effective and affordable adaptation measures.”
Dr. Babyenda’s findings stress the need for strategic policy interventions to foster widespread adaptation among Uganda’s farmers. His recommendations included educating farmers about the long-term benefits of adaptation, subsidizing adaptation measures to make them more accessible, and improving the efficiency of extension services to better support farmers.
“Policymakers must ensure that farmers are not only informed but equipped with the tools to adapt,” Babyenda emphasized. “This means enhancing extension services, targeting farmers with specific educational programs, and subsidizing key resources to make adaptation more feasible.”
Dr. Babyenda concluded by urging a coordinated effort to build resilience within Uganda’s agricultural sector. He emphasized that these strategies are vital to ensuring the long-term sustainability of agriculture, which is a cornerstone of Uganda’s economy.
“Climate change is a clear and present danger, but through careful adaptation, we can secure the future of Uganda’s agriculture and the welfare of its farmers,” Babyenda said.
The findings of the research are expected to serve as a crucial baseline for future climate adaptation policies and actions in Uganda, aiming to safeguard the livelihoods of millions of farming households affected by climate variability. The paper was authored by Peter Babyenda, Makerere University Uganda; Prof. Jane Kabubo-Mariara, Executive Director, Partnership for Economic Policy and Sule Odhiambo from University of Nairobi, Kenya.
Jane Anyango is the Communication Officer EfD Uganda
Business & Management
Uganda Urged to Embrace Community-Based Conservation Approaches to Tackle Biodiversity Crisis
Over 40 Ugandan government officials have been called to integrate communities into biodiversity conservation following a two-day high-level training (August 20–21, 2025) at Makerere University.
Organized by EfD Uganda, the workshop focused on biodiversity conservation, community-based natural resource management, and economic valuation of national parks. Led by renowned environmental economist Prof. Edwin Muchapondwa, the training emphasized aligning conservation efforts with community involvement for lasting impact.
“Communities must be seen not just as beneficiaries but as co-managers of biodiversity,” said Prof. Muchapondwa. “Policy frameworks need to devolve rights to local people to increase their stake in conservation outcomes.”
Participants from ministries and agencies explored Uganda’s biodiversity challenges—including habitat loss, agricultural expansion, poaching, and climate change. Sessions covered conservation principles, legal frameworks, ecosystem valuation, and regulatory tools to integrate biodiversity into national planning.
Valuing Nature to Shape Policy
A central theme was the economic valuation of ecosystems—putting monetary value on biodiversity to inform policy and investment decisions.
“When we reduce everything to a common metric, we can make objective, evidence-based decisions—especially when weighing development against conservation,” Prof. Muchapondwa said.
Officials practiced applying valuation methods like contingent valuation and payment for ecosystem services in real-world policy settings, including environmental impact assessments and Uganda’s National Development Plan III.
Despite strong conservation policies on paper, implementation remains weak. “The issue isn’t policy absence but execution,” he noted. “We must adapt successful community-based models from Southern Africa to Uganda’s context.”
Tourism and Development: A Delicate Balance– Prof. Edward Bbaale
Speaking at the opening, Prof. Edward Bbaale, Director of the EfD–Mak Centre, emphasized collaboration between academia and government to support tourism development and sustainable resource use.
He praised Prof. Muchapondwa as a “pillar of the Environment for Development network” and highlighted the urgent need for research that connects tourism, conservation, and economics.
“We’ve had little research from Makerere on tourism and natural resource valuation,” Bbaale said. “Yet this is exactly where government seeks advice.”
Bbaale underscored Uganda’s ambition to grow GDP tenfold—from $50 billion to $500 billion—through sectors like tourism, agro-industrialization, and manufacturing, urging researchers to support this growth with evidence-based insights.
“Makerere houses the highest concentration of PhDs in this country,” he said. “If this research isn’t happening here, where else should it happen?”
The event concluded with a renewed call for stronger partnerships among academia, government, and communities to ensure conservation and development go hand-in-hand.
Public Sector Must Rethink Economic Policy Through Biodiversity Lens– Dr. Peter Babyenda
Uganda risks jeopardizing its natural wealth if it continues to undervalue its ecological resources, warned Dr. Peter Babyenda, Research Fellow and Policy Engagement Specialist at EfD–Mak Centre.
“Our forests, wetlands, and ecosystems are routinely excluded from GDP calculations due to limited technical capacity and funding,” he said. “Kenya has made progress—Uganda must catch up.”
To bridge the gap, EfD–Mak Centre, with support from SIDA, has launched a training program for technical staff from ministries and agencies like the Ministry of Tourism, Uganda Wildlife Authority, and NEMA.
“These are the people who draft policy,” Dr. Babyenda said. “We’re training them to use data and evidence, not emotion, when defending policies.”
He cited recent transport policy missteps—such as a speed enforcement proposal that failed due to lack of public engagement—as an example of why community participation is essential.
“Especially with human-wildlife conflicts, you must involve locals,” he said. “Solutions like electric fencing must be safe and community-driven.”
Conservation vs. Economic Growth
Uganda’s ambitious goal to grow its economy from $50 billion to $550 billion by 2040 presents risks to biodiversity, particularly from agricultural expansion. Dr. Babyenda stressed the need to balance development with environmental preservation.
“We must promote agriculture without destroying forests and wetlands,” he said. “Our tourism sector, which depends heavily on biodiversity, must also be protected.”
He urged officials to present conservation as an economic asset. “If you show that every additional dollar invested in tourism marketing creates jobs and boosts GDP, people will listen.”
Aligning with Uganda’s National Development Plan IV, Dr. Babyenda called for cross-sector policy coherence.
“Tourism, agro-industry, and mineral development must be guided by sound, evidence-based policy,” he concluded. “Otherwise, we risk losing it all.”
Participants Reflections from the Training
Adson Tumwebaze – National Environment Management Authority (NEMA)
As someone working in the Research and Innovations Unit at NEMA, this training was a timely eye-opener. We’ve gained valuable insights into how economic valuation can be integrated into our research and planning frameworks. Understanding the tangible benefits ecosystems provide—and knowing how to quantify those benefits—equips us with the tools to make informed decisions when balancing development and conservation.
For us at NEMA, this goes beyond theory. It supports our mandate of protecting ecosystems and helps us align our work with national policies such as the National Biodiversity Action Plan and BISAP. One of my key takeaways is that you cannot talk about implementing a project on an ecosystem without understanding its value. Once we can economically define these benefits, we can also justify conservation measures, influence policy, and guide budgeting processes more effectively.
Alice Nalweera – Economic Policy Researcher
This training brought clarity to a challenge many of us are grappling with: the growing threats to biodiversity in the face of urbanization, climate change, and population pressure. As we pursue economic development and strive for goals like those outlined in the 2050 export-oriented strategy, we must ask: Can biodiversity and development coexist?
Tourism is one of Uganda’s biggest earners, and it’s entirely dependent on biodiversity—the parks, wildlife, flora, and fauna. Without protecting these resources, our economic aspirations could collapse. What struck me most is the urgent need for accurate data. We can’t conserve what we haven’t identified or valued. Accounting for our natural resources is not optional—it’s essential.
Arthur Ebong – National Planning Authority
From the national planning perspective, this training helped bridge a crucial gap between policy and implementation. While NDP III and NDP IV highlight biodiversity mainstreaming, they often lack depth in practical conservation measures. We used to insert the term “biodiversity” into plans, but lacked the tools to truly value and integrate it.
Learning about valuation methods like hedonic pricing and travel cost analysis opened new avenues for making biodiversity count—literally—in our national plans. And beyond the technical tools, this session also promoted inter-agency collaboration. With stakeholders like NEMA, UWA, and the Ministry of Water in the same room, we can now work more cohesively toward a shared goal.
The training has also inspired curriculum reviews. If we want future planners and policymakers to value biodiversity, we must train them early—through revised academic programs and capacity-building initiatives. This is not just about today’s policies, but the long-term socio-economic transformation of Uganda.
Gertrude Kirabo – Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA)
At UWA, we face the challenge of balancing conservation with increasing economic pressure around protected areas. This training has been invaluable in helping us understand how to defend conservation efforts using data-driven economic valuation.
Previously, arguments for protecting a forest or wetland often sounded emotional or abstract. Now, we can present facts—cost-benefit analyses that compare the long-term value of ecosystem services with short-term economic gains. This also supports practical decisions like adjusting park permit fees or advocating for higher conservation budgets.
Personally, this training served as a wake-up call. It made me realize how often we’ve given away resources without truly valuing them. I strongly recommend that more field officers and institutional planners go through this kind of training. It’s one thing to learn these concepts in school, and another to see their real-world application. It’s time we started backing conservation with data and strong economic logic.
Jane Anyango is the Communication Officer EfD Uganda.
Business & Management
Strengthening Capacity in Public Investment Management: Two-Week Training Underway in Fort Portal
Fort Portal, August 18, 2025 — The Public Investment Management Centre of Excellence (PIM CoE), in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED) and Cambridge Resources International (CRI), has kicked off a two-week intensive training on Economic Appraisal and Stakeholder Analysis for public officers from various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). The training, taking place from August 18 to 29, 2025 in Fort Portal, marks the final module of the Investment Appraisal and Risk Analysis (PIAR) II Course.
In his opening remarks, the Manager of PIM CoE, Dr John Sseruyange, welcomed participants and commended them for their commitment to completing the course. He emphasized that the training was designed to deepen participants’ skills in investment appraisal and ensure that government projects deliver tangible benefits to society. “This training is essential for understanding the impact of development initiatives on people’s welfare. I encourage you to give your undivided attention throughout these two weeks,” he noted.
Speaking at the same event, Prof. Eria Hisali, Co-Principal Investigator of the PIM CoE, highlighted the centrality of this program to Uganda’s development agenda. He urged participants to appreciate the training not only for their personal growth but also for the wider benefit of the country. “Upon completion, you will be expected to add value by ensuring that only projects with the highest returns on investment and the greatest benefit to the economy are developed and implemented,” he said.
Delivering the remarks of the Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Treasury (PSST), Principal Analyst-Ms. Esther Ayebare reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the Public Investment Management System (PIMS). She noted that the training would empower participants with critical tools for evaluating the economic and financial viability of projects in line with the PIMS framework.
The PSST encouraged participants to seize the opportunity to engage, share expertise, and apply the knowledge gained in their professional roles to strengthen Uganda’s public investment outcomes.
The PIM CoE expressed gratitude to all partners for their continued collaboration and reaffirmed its commitment to building strong institutional and individual capacities for effective public investment management in Uganda.
The course content will cover a wide range of areas including:
- The role of Economic and Stakeholder Analysis in Investment Appraisal.
- Economic Analysis of Education, Human Capital, and Infrastructure Projects.
- Practical tools and frameworks for assessing the viability of public investments.
Participants will be guided by a team of expert facilitators from CRI, MoFPED, the National Planning Authority (NPA), and Makerere University, ensuring a blend of theoretical rigor and practical application.
Business & Management
Makerere Hosts 2nd Public Investment Management Conference on Overcoming Implementation Barriers
Makerere University, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, convened the 2nd Public Investment Management (PIM) Conference on August 14, 2025, at the Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium.
Running under the theme “Overcoming Implementation Barriers in Public Investment Management for Fiscal Sustainability”, the conference brought together government officials, academics, development partners, and policy experts to reflect on Uganda’s investment journey, exchange knowledge, and strengthen implementation capacity across projects.
In his opening remarks, Professor Buyinza Mukadasi emphasized the importance of public investment management in driving sustainable economic growth while safeguarding fiscal responsibility. He stressed the need for large-scale, high-impact investments in infrastructure, industrialization, human capital, and social services—projects that are not only ambitious on paper but also practically implementable and measurable. Professor Buyinza also highlighted Makerere University’s role through its Public Investment Management Centre, which has trained public officials, revised government guidelines, and advanced evidence-based policy engagement. He reaffirmed the University’s continued commitment to training, research, and policy advocacy in investment planning.
Budget Director Mr. Ashaba Hannington placed the discussion within Uganda’s broader ambitions, pointing to the country’s target of expanding its economy from USD 16 billion to USD 500 billion. Achieving such transformation, he noted, requires a strong public investment management system to ensure efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability of projects. He cited the Cabinet’s recent approval of the National Public Investment Management Policy (2025), which provides a comprehensive framework to enhance efficiency across the entire investment cycle. The revised guidelines now integrate climate change considerations, enforce social and environmental safeguards, and streamline implementation to overcome bottlenecks.
Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury, Mr. Ramathan Ggoobi, reflected on challenges undermining project delivery, such as delays, cost overruns, and inefficiencies that erode public trust. He stressed the urgent need for accountability, performance-driven leadership, and stronger institutional coordination. He also underscored the role of the private sector and civil society, whose capacity and innovation can complement government efforts in ensuring effective implementation.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Donald Kaberuka, former President of the African Development Bank, placed Uganda’s challenges in a broader African context. He pointed out the continent’s persistent resource gap and urged governments to adopt smarter policies, strengthen institutions, and expand domestic revenue mobilization to reduce reliance on aid. He highlighted the importance of strategic investments in education, health, and infrastructure, while reminding participants that good policies must be not only technically sound but also politically feasible and practically implementable. Dr. Kaberuka further emphasized the need to focus on outcomes rather than outputs, optimize public spending, and seize emerging opportunities in climate resilience, digital innovation, and demographic dividends.
The conference closed with a call for renewed commitment to fiscal discipline, robust policy frameworks, and effective execution of investment projects. With Uganda’s ambitious economic aspirations, participants agreed that overcoming implementation barriers will require accountability, innovation, and collaboration between government, academia, and development partners. The 2nd PIM Conference reaffirmed Makerere University’s role as a hub of research and capacity building in shaping the country’s investment future.
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