On 4th June 2025, the leadership and academic staff from the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) participated in a training workshop aimed at empowering them with knowledge and techniques on grants administration and management.
Featuring presentations on understanding the Grants Administration and Management Support Unit (GAMSU) key processes and systems, compliance and accountability, the eMakGAM (Makerere University Grants Management System), and an Open dialogue, the training workshop presented the leadership and academic staff from CoBAMS with a platform to gain a deeper understanding of this vital area.
It is envisaged that the training workshops will not only onboard members of staff to support the operations of GAMSU, but also mobilize staff to write and win grants.
Welcoming the participants, the Head of GAMSU, Prof. Sylvia Antonia Nakimera Nannyonga-Tamusuza, articulated the deliberate plan to hold continuous engagements with members of staff at different levels to position them to appreciate their role in the grants administration and management chain.
Whereas the 4th June 2025 training workshop targeted academic staff at CoBAMS, Prof. Nannyonga-Tamusuza reported that, GAMSU was scheduled to train finance managers, accountants and project managers on 7th June 2025.
Prof. Sylvia Antonia Nakimera Nannyonga-Tamusuza.
Recognizing that funding accessed through grants at the national and global levels significantly contributes to the implementation of Makerere University’s core activities in the fields of research, teaching and learning, community engagements, and knowledge transfer partnerships, Prof. Nannyonga-Tamusuza elaborated that the planned engagements would provide a platform to members of staff to actively contribute to grants administration and management.
Acknowledging that grant writing and awards lead to a win-win situation for both Makerere University and the grant writer, the Head of GAMSU, called upon academic staff to embrace the capacity building sessions.
“CoBAMS has over 120 academic staff. If each member of staff committed to writing and winning at least two (2) research grants, I envision increased research at the national and global levels, increased publications, staff and student mobility, scholarships, international recognition, and improved staff welfare,’ she said.
Prof. Nannyonga-Tamusuza revealed that GAMSU will be working with some members of staff from CoBAMS who have been core in grant writing to train, onboard and mentor others in order to expand the grant profile of Makerere University.
She advised academic staff to form a research team that can compete for grants. “The formation of a team ensures that staff with different strengths, abilities and competencies are brought on board, which enhances your chances of winning the grant,” she stated.
Prof. Nannyonga-Tamusuza encouraged the leadership and staff to submit themes that they are interested in, so as to inform GAMSU on the grant calls or proposals to send their way.
Prof. Edward Bbaale.
Opening the training workshop, the College Principal, Prof. Edward Bbaale, who has written and won grants, emphasized the need to account for funds awarded. Referring to the binding contracts/agreements that clearly stipulate that money received through grants should not be personalized, the Principal urged academic staff and Principal Investigators to adhere to the guidelines.
The Principal notified the participants that the government has prioritized grants management. He elaborated that University leadership and Principal Investigators have been tasked by the Office of the Auditor General to ensure value for money in grants management.
In his submission, the Deputy Principal of the College, Associate Professor James Wokadala rallied academic staff to change their mindset and include grant writing among their priorities. He also advised them to overcome the inherent fear of starting to write, the failure to create time to write, and the discomfort that comes with unsuccessful attempts. He reiterated that the training workshops were aimed at strengthening the relationship among staff and GAMSU, forging linkages with experienced grant writers, and opening up networks. The Deputy Principal disclosed that the College and GAMSU would hold mindset change training workshops, and expressed the readiness of the College leadership to facilitate and support staff to gain traction in grant writing.
Assoc. Prof. James Wokadala.
Presentation on grants administration and management
The participants listened to presentations from Prof. Nannyonga-Tamusuza, the Head of GAMSU and Mr. Mordecai Tayebwa, the Grants Manager at the Makerere University College of Health Sciences:
In her presentation, Prof. Nannyonga-Tamusuza emphasized the need to read every detail in the contract/award document.
Presenting the key stages supported by GAMSU namely the Pre-Award, Award, Post-Award, Audit and Close-Out, she observed that sometimes, Principal Investigators forget the Close-Out phase. Emphasizing that the Close-Out phase is a vital step in grants administration and management, she sensitized the participants to always Close-Out the program/project.
Stating the difference between grants and consultancies, she explained that GAMSU does not handle consultancies. She reiterated that the role of GAMSU is restricted to grants.
On the mandate of GAMSU, Prof. Nannyonga-Tamusuza stated that the Unit was established by Makerere University Grants Administration and Management Policy in 2020 approved by the University Council. Its mandate involves the following: Registering and renewing Makerere University’s membership on funding grants/platforms, sensitizing units about grants administration and management, sharing grant calls, linking researchers with possible funders, participating in grant negotiations after the award and during the signing of agreements, supporting grant entry on the Grants database, creating links among researchers, monitoring and evaluation of progress reports, and grant close-out.
Mr. Mordecai Tayebwa.
She informed the participants that GAMSU had automated the entire grant cycle, and appealed to principal investigators, researchers and staff with grants to register them online via: https://gamsuportal.mak.ac.ug
Mr. Mordecai Tayebwa, a CoBAMS alumnus who works closely with GAMSU, underscored the need for compliance, transparency and accountability in grants administration and management. Mr. Tayebwa rallied the Principal Investigators and research teams to always hold a kick-off meeting so that each Member of the team understands and appreciates his or her role, as well as, the expectations, the do’s and don’ts , the timelines and deliverables. He advised the participants to document every step about the grant, which involves keeping every record about the grant in an organized and accessible format. He urged GAMSU and the leadership at CoBAMS to institute a support system or project administrators to document grants.
Way forward
Building on to the GAMSU trainings, some of the capacity building engagements will focus on identification of grant writers and winners at the College and pairing them with early career faculty members/researchers for mentorship. The strategies would entail strengthening the college grants management unit, conducting specialized trainings aimed at mindset change among the early career faculty/researchers, identification of GAMSU ambassadors at the College level as well as deliberate efforts to operationalize a college support team that liaises with GAMSU and the Principal Investigators.
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.
Dr. John Sseruyange from PIM CoE
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.
Prof. Eria Hisali.
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.
Ms. Esther Ayebare.
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.
Dr. Kagarura conducts one of the training sessions.
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.
A section of participants listen to Dr. Kagarura.
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.
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.
Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi.
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.
Mr. Hannington Ashaba.
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.
Mr. Ramathan Ggoobi.
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.
Dr. Donald Kaberuka delivers the keynote address.
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.
Welcoming the first year students to Makerere University, and to the College of Business and Management Sciences in particular, the Principal-Prof. Edward Bbaale said: “Prioritize your academics. I urge you to remain focused. This is your season of hard work. You are here to contribute to the transformation of Uganda and the world at large.”
The Principal made the remarks on Day One (5th August 2025) of the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) Orientation. Organised by the College Management and 91st College Guild Council, the Orientation is scheduled to take place from 5th to 8th August 2025 at Makerere University Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility (CTF2 Auditorium).
The Principal congratulated the first year students upon joining CoBAMS-the leading training unit and supply chain of professionals in economics, business, statistics and planning fields.
“We are proud to be shaping the future economists, business leaders, entrepreneurs, policy analysts, actuaries, and statisticians who will go on to transform industries, drive public policy, and make impactful decisions globally,” he remarked.
Prof. Bbaale pointed out that the College consists of three (3) schools namely Economics, Business, as well as Statistics and Planning. Providing a brief on the leadership of the College, he mentioned the Deputy Principal-Associate Professor James Wokadala, the Dean, School of Economics-Associate Professor Ibrahim Mike Okumu, the Dean, School of Business-Associate Professor Godfrey Akileng, and the Dean, School of Statistics and Planning-Dr. Margaret Banga. With reference to the orientation programme, he informed the students that they would have specialized sessions with the Deans and staff of the respective schools on 6th August 2025. The Principal also acknowledged Heads of Departments, and the College Management Board as key players in leadership.
Prof. Edward Bbaale makes his remarks.
Inspired by the rich and celebrated history of Makerere (established in 1922), Prof. Bbaale notified the students that the institution celebrated 100 years of excellent service to humanity in 2022, and has built a reputation that transcends borders. “The name, Makerere University is recognized, respected, and revered. I call upon you, to wholeheartedly guard and protect the institution’s name and reputation,” he said.
Tackling safety and well-being, Prof. Bbaale guided that safeguarding starts with an individual. He encouraged the students to read the Makerere University Safeguarding Policy to understand the safeguarding concerns, guidelines and responsibilities of the respective Offices. He informed the students that the College had safeguarding champions including a student representative, who have been trained to handle the safeguarding concerns, and to work closely with the students’ body to identify and report safeguarding matters.
He also cautioned the students against any forms of misconduct. “The University is committed to ensuring zero tolerance against sexual harassment, and exam malpractices. During the orientation, staff from the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate will provide a brief on the Policy and Regulations against Sexual Harassment, and the College Registrars will guide you on the academic policies.”
The address by the Principal set the pace for presentations on the following critical matters: Life at Campus, Guidance and Counselling, Makerere University Tuition Policy, Information Technology and Library resources, the Emerging Leaders Program (ELP), and a networking session with the 91st College student leaders.
Building on to the Principal’s powerful message, the following University officials interacted and engaged students on 5th August 2025: Ms Juliet Mirembe Ssewankambo-Acting College Registrar, Ms. Rose Nalwanga-Senior Counsellor, Dr. Peace Musiimenta-Representative of the Emerging Leaders program team, Mr. Peter Mubiru-College Bursar, Ms. Claire Nakaseeta-from the College Library, Mr. Gilbert Nsazimaana-DICTS, Ms. Namazzi Madrine Kayima-School of Economics Registrar, Ms. Stella Butamanya-School of Statistics and Planning Registrar, Ms. Ritah Namisango-Principal Communication Officer, and Mr. Moses Kibirango-Web Administrator.
L-R, Mrs. Juliet Ssewankambo (AG.Colllege Registrar), Mr. Gilbert Nizeyimaana (DICTS), Prof. Edward Bbaale (Principal), Mr. Peter Mubiru (College Bursar), Ms Rose Nalwanga (Senior Counselor), and Ms Claire Nakaseeta-representing the College Librarian.
From 6th to 8th August 2025, the student centered orientation features sessions on the following: Academic policies, orientation meetings with leadership of the respective Schools, understanding the responsibility of a student, health and wellness, brainteaser activities, gender mainstreaming, sensitization about the Red Cross, tour of the library and exposure to resources, as well as IT and hands-on-training.
Delighted that the first year students had turned up in big numbers, filling the auditorium to the brim, the Chairperson of the 91st College Guild Council, Fahad Ssozi Batte, said the 2025 orientation was planned to provide a rich and rewarding experience to students, as they commence the academic year 2025/2026. In addition, Ssozi Batte noted that the information and knowledge shared would provide a firm foundation to the students about life on campus. He thanked the entire College student leadership for remaining steadfast in the advancement of student interests.
Fahad Ssozi Batte (Centre in a suit) and some of the student leaders coordinating the four days Orientation at CoBAMS.