Business & Management
Strengthening Europe-Africa Higher Education Collaboration through the NEAR-ER Project
Makerere University in Uganda, is implementing the Network on Europe and Africa Relations-Education and Research (NEAR-ER) project, which seeks to strengthen collaboration in higher education through dialogue, events, scholarly debates, exchange of best practices, and dissemination of research and techniques.
The NEAR-ER is a Jean Monnet policy network of 20 higher education institutions; 7 in Europe and 13 in Africa. The thematic areas include: Shared Peace, Shared Prosperity and Shared Spaces as expounded below:
Shared Peace-Democracy, Rule of Law, Justice and Positive Peace Initiatives; Shared Prosperity-Trade Relations, Development Cooperation and Sustainability; and Shared Spaces-Climate Change, Energy Cooperation and Population Movement
The implementation of the three year (December 2024 to November 2027), NEAR-ER project co-funded by the European Union, follows a successful response, to a call for proposals by researchers based at the School of Statistics and Planning under the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS). The NEAR-ER research team consists of the following: Dr. John M. Mushomi – Principal Investigator, Dr. Patricia Ndugga, Dr. Elizabeth Nansubuga, Dr. Olivia Nankinga, Dr. Nicholas Tunanukye and Dr. Fred Maniragaba.
Early Career Researchers and Graduate Students’ Dialogue
On 16th June 2025, Makerere University hosted the NEAR-ER dialogue targeting early career researchers and graduate students from higher education institutions in Uganda.
Featuring remarks from Makerere University officials, an overview of the NEAR-ER project, a panel discussion on the career prospects in the EU, and an interactive question and answer session, the dialogue presented an opportunity to participants to engage with leading scholars in Europe-Africa relations, network with academics across continents, explore research and career prospects in EU-Africa partnerships, contribute to meaningful discussions on contemporary challenges affecting both continents, and gain insights into current trends and future directions in Europe-Africa cooperation.
The following members of the NEAR-ER project tipped early career researchers and graduate students on Africa and Europe relations including research, partnerships, academics, access to scholarships, mobility, networking, and among other important aspects: Prof. Muller Gustavo-the Overall Principal Investigator from KU Lueveni, Prof. Chris Nshimbi-Africa Principal Investigator from University of Pretoria, and Dr. John A. Mushomi-Principal Investigator at Makerere University.
Tour of Makerere University Innovation Pod
Prior to the dialogue, the NEAR-ER delegation toured the Makerere University Innovation Pod (Mak Unipod). Reflecting on the tour, Prof. Muller Gustavo lauded the level of innovation, describing it as a promising space for African-centered academic advancement.
NEAR-ER delegation Courtesy meeting with the Vice Chancellor
The delegation participated in a courtesy meeting with the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, who was represented by the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi. The following University officials participated in the courtesy meeting held in the Vice Chancellor’s Board Room: Associate Prof. James Wokadala-Deputy Principal-College of Business and Management Sciences, Associate Prof. Ibrahim Mike Okumu-Dean, School of Economics, Dr. Margaret Banga-Dean, School of Statistics and Planning, and Dr. John A. Mushomi-Principal Investigator of the NEAR-Project at Makerere University.
Official Opening of the NEAR-ER dialogue
Opening the NEAR-ER Dialogue on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs-Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, underscored the significance of the event, as a defining moment in research collaboration in Africa and Europe. He emphasized that the academic convening provided a strategic platform for deep reflection, meaningful reconnection, and a renewed commitment to joint scholarship that promotes peace, shared prosperity, and inclusive development.
Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi noted that the activities of the NEAR-ER project were aligned with Makerere University’s strategic vision as well as Uganda’s national development agenda. He expressed optimism that the deliberations would spark innovative thinking, strengthen solidarity between Africa and Europe, and help shape a future rooted in shared values, mutual respect, and purposeful collaboration.
He encouraged the participants in the NEAR-ER dialogue to ensure that Africa embraces the Fourth Industrial Revolution through optimizing digitalization systems and processes. He challenged the participants to view the dialogue, as a call to action, and a catalyst for cultivating transformational African leaders equipped with relevant digital skills and employable knowledge. He stressed that the continent’s future hinged on preparing the next generation to confidently navigate and address the demands of the digital age.
Putting across a strong case for African institutions to take on leadership in the co-production of knowledge, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi said: “Africa’s development trajectory depends on homegrown ideas, African-led innovation, and the strategic harnessing of global partnerships to address local and global challenges.”
Highlights by the College Principal
The Principal, Prof. Edward Bbaale represented by the Deputy Principal, Associate Prof. James Wokadala, described the NEAR-ER project as a foundational moment in the redefinition of global academic cooperation from the heart of Africa. The Principal called upon the participants to utilize the dialogue to form enduring partnerships.
He underscored the College’s central role in advancing global academic collaboration, within the framework of EU-Africa partnerships in education and research. He noted that the dialogue marked a significant milestone through positioning CoBAMS as a vital conduit for strengthening cross-continental partnerships. He highlighted that the NEAR-ER network’s emphasis on education and research strongly aligned with the College’s mission to foster robust academic linkages between the Global North and South.
The Deputy Principal acknowledged CoBAMS’ unwavering dedication to advancing Makerere University’s agenda of becoming a global academic e-hub, particularly within the evolving landscape of EU-Africa relations. He reported that the College was actively undertaking strategic initiatives to deepen international engagement—initiatives designed to foster mutual learning, catalyze collaborative research, and create meaningful career development pathways.
“The College leadership has prioritized supporting young researchers and postgraduate students, thus empowering the next generation of scholars to thrive in an increasingly interconnected academic ecosystem,” he said.
Highlights from the Principal Investigator
Focusing on the critical role of students in academic institutions, Dr. John A. Mushomi, the Principal Investigator of the NEAR-ER project at Makerere University, said: “Our students are our main customers. We should therefore nurture and empower our learners through global research and engagements.”
Dr. Mushomi highlighted the importance of providing a “safe engagement space” for students and researchers. Reflecting on his academic journey, and postdoctoral fellowship, he acknowledged the relevance of seeking mentorship, citing it as an instrumental step in his path to the NEAR-ER network.
He also acknowledged the long-term collaborative efforts that led to the successful NEAR-ER grant proposal, notably involving both Makerere University and Kyambogo University.
Overview of the NEAR-ER project
Presenting the Overview of the NEAR-ER project, Prof. Muller Gustavo, a Senior Researcher at the London Centre for Global Government Studies underscored the critical importance of collaborative research and education between Europe and Africa. He noted that holding the first African convening/dialogue at Makerere University was both strategic and symbolic of the growing academic ties between the two continents.
Delving into the origins of the project, Prof. Gustavo revealed that the idea for the network was conceived approximately three years prior, where they envisioned a platform that would encourage dialogue, research, and exchange on topics central to Europe–Africa relations. They rallied scholars from diverse institutions, forming a vibrant and interdisciplinary consortium.
“Over the last three years, we put together a group of universities to foster and facilitate research and communication on relationships between Africa and Europe. The goal of the consortium is to disseminate the research and education practices, the best practices of education in Africa, in Europe, but also worldwide,” he said.
Prof. Gustavo highlighted that the NEAR-ER project will serve as a vehicle to foster best practices in education, research dissemination, and policy-relevant collaboration. He noted that the network intentionally included universities and institutions representing diverse linguistic and cultural contexts, affirming their commitment to inclusivity and comprehensive regional representation. According to Prof. Gustavo, this diversity strengthens the network’s mission to bridge educational and research gaps between the global north and south.
Beyond institutional collaboration, Prof. Gustavo emphasized the network’s commitment to public engagement and knowledge dissemination. He detailed a range of outputs already in motion, including research blogs, podcasts, newsletters, webinars, policy surveys, and country-specific forecasts.
Prof. Gustavo urged the students and young scholars to become active contributors to the NEAR-ER platform. He explained that the network is open to ideas from emerging voices—whether through blogs, podcasts, or other digital formats—and provides a unique opportunity for students to share perspectives and shape global discourse.
“There might be opportunities here for some of you that are interested in further increasing your knowledge on European integration, African integration, and the relationship between those two processes. You may be a student who has an idea on how to improve the relationship and looking at a particular aspect to get that idea out to the world, we can offer that destination platform for you as well,” Prof. Gustavo mentioned.
Remarks by the Dean, School of Statistics and Planning
Dr. Margaret Banga, the Dean of the School of Statistics and Planning, informed the participants, that the dialogue was a space to unite the varied disciplines and backgrounds present, all in pursuit of a shared vision for the future.
“The NEAR-ER initiative is more than a research collaboration. It is a bridge of solidarity between Europe and Africa—a platform where shared learning leads to shared solutions. It is not about the North teaching the south, but it is about learning from one another,” Dr. Banga said.
Standing as a firm believer in the transformative power of research, innovation, and youthful curiosity, Dr. Banga, underscored the importance of structure and strategy in translating ideas into impact. She encouraged the audience to treat planning as the bridge between possibility and progress. She stressed that without a clear methodology, timeline, partners, and budget, even the most brilliant ideas can fade into obscurity, but with a solid plan, those same ideas can evolve into funded projects, published policy briefs, and life-changing solutions.
To the young scholars, Dr. Banga issued a powerful call to action. “You are the thinkers who will unlock Africa’s economy,” she said. “You are the innovators who will shape climate resilience. You are the analysts and planners who will rethink development—not as something done for us, but as something shaped by us.”
With conviction and hope, Dr. Banga reminded the young scholars that they were not mere students, but emerging leaders, and agents of change. She urged them not to wait for some future moment of “expertise” before stepping up. She offered a critical reminder that every question they pose, every network they build, and every inquiry they pursue is already shaping the world, “Your research is not small because you are just starting out, your work has the power even now to improve lives and influence generations. Don’t just study the world. Change it.”
A voice from the PhD Students
Ms. Claire Cheremoi, President of the PhD Fellows at Makerere University, expressed her appreciation for the spirit of unity and collaboration fostered by the NEAR-ER dialogue. “Our voices matter. Coming together as students is powerful,” she said.
Ms. Cheremoi emphasized the value of collective engagement, stressing that such platforms were essential in facilitating the sharing of knowledge, fostering meaningful networks, and sparking critical discussions on the issues that matter most to young scholars. She stated their commitment to engaging in conversations on research funding, interdisciplinary collaboration, and broader academic partnerships.
A statement from the representative of undergraduate students
Mr. Ssozi Fahad Batte, Chairperson, Students Guild Council, College of Business and Management Sciences acknowledged the students had the zeal to learn, grow, and contribute meaningfully. In his view, the most significant outcome of such dialogues was the ability to extract value—something “to take home.”
He stated the critical role of documentation, urging fellow participants to write down their ideas, strategies, and action points in order to share them beyond the event. He also highlighted the importance of networking, stressing that connections and collaborations were central to growth in academia and beyond.
Panel discussion on Career Prospects in the EU
In a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Robert Ojambo from Kyambogo University, several international scholars shared invaluable insights on navigating academic and professional opportunities abroad—particularly for students and researchers from the Global South.
The panel discussion offered a wealth of practical insights for young scholars seeking academic and professional opportunities across borders. The panelists emphasized the importance of building trust-based networks, as well as, going beyond emails to form genuine relationships with professors, peers, and institutions.
Strategic planning emerged as a recurring theme during the panel discussion—highlighting the need to research language requirements, living costs, and cultural differences when selecting destinations. Participants encouraged scholars from the Global South to view their unique backgrounds as assets that contribute to valuable perspectives to global discourse.
Opportunities such as Intra-Africa Academic Mobility programs, and summer schools were also presented as transformative pathways that combine education, exposure, and networking. The discussion also stressed the power of initiative—actively reaching out, applying, volunteering, and making oneself visible in digital academic spaces. Importantly, career success was linked not just to passion, but to aligning one’s skills with institutional needs and being open to unpaid roles such as voluntary service that build experience and credibility. The overall message was clear: international academic success requires preparation, adaptability, and the courage to take the first step.
As participants engaged across these thematic areas, the NEAR-ER dialogue underscored the central role of universities in bridging regions, amplifying diverse voices, and generating research-driven responses to global emergencies. The NEAR-ER dialogue held at Makerere University was not just a reflection of academic solidarity—it was a declaration of shared purpose and a call to action in re-imagining a more just, peaceful, and sustainable future across continents.
Business & Management
Uganda Launches Policy Briefs on Natural Capital Accounts to position Nature at the Centre of Economic Planning
Uganda has launched five policy briefs on Natural Capital Accounts aimed at integrating the value of the country’s forests, wetlands, water resources, land, energy systems and ecosystems into national economic planning and decision making.
The Policy Briefs, developed by the Centre of Excellence for Africa Climate-Sensitive Macroeconomic Modelling (CEACM) under the College of Business and Management Sciences, were launched on Wednesday 15th July 2026 at Makerere University.
The initiative brings together government, academia and development partners to promote climate-informed economic policies as Uganda pursues sustainable development and its economic transformation targets.
The five policy briefs address Uganda’s energy transition, declining wood stocks, natural capital integration into development planning, sustainable land use, and national water accounting amid climate change.
The five policy briefs include:
- Uganda’s Wood Stock on a Declining Pathway to Extinction: A Call for Policy Review and Action
- Uganda’s Energy System at a Crossroads: The Unsustainable Reliance on Biomass and the Need for Energy Transition
- Integrating Natural Capital into Development Planning in Uganda: Insights from the Ecosystem Service and Asset Accounts (1990-2015)
- Leveraging Land Natural Capital to Drive Uganda’s Sustainable and Inclusive Growth
- National Water Accounts Development: Tracking Uganda’s Progress amidst Climate Change.
Link to the Policy Briefs: https://bams.mak.ac.ug/policy-briefs/
Speaking at the Launch of the policy briefs, the Minister of State for Environment, Hon. Beatrice Atim Anywar who represented the Minister of Water and Environment, said natural capital accounting provides Uganda with a new approach to valuing its environmental resources.
“Today, we are launching a new way of seeing, planning and managing Uganda’s development,” Hon. Anywar said.
She noted that for years, Uganda’s economic progress has largely been measured through indicators such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which do not capture the decline or improvement of natural resources.
“But GDP does not tell us if our forests, water sources and wetlands are shrinking. It does not tell us if our forests can still hold our waters or whether our soils will still feed the next generation,” she said.
Hon. Anywar said Uganda’s natural capital, including forests, wetlands, water resources, biodiversity, minerals and fertile soils, supports livelihoods, tourism, energy generation and climate resilience. “This natural capital supports over 70 percent of our population and powers our hydropower. It feeds into tourism and buffers us against droughts and threatening floods,” she said.
She warned that degradation of these resources represents a loss of national wealth. “When natural capital is degraded, we are not just losing trees, wetlands, water or soils. We are losing wealth. We are losing jobs for our children and future generations,” she said.
The Minister said natural capital accounting allows Uganda to place nature on its economic balance sheet. “This is what natural capital accounting does. It puts nature on the balance sheet. I studied basic accounting, but I never imagined that natural resources could also be reflected on a balance sheet. Today, that is becoming a reality,” she said.
She challenged all stakeholders to ensure that every future development decision considers its impact on Uganda’s natural capital, stressing that informed choices today will secure sustainable prosperity for generations to come.
Hon. Anywar also called for recognition of the role communities play in protecting natural resources, saying traditional knowledge must complement modern science.
“Our ancestors protected the environment without maps, technology or scientific reports. They knew which areas were sacred, where water sources were protected and where forests should not be disturbed,” she said. “When communities understand that protecting a wetland or forest protects their own livelihoods, we will not need constant enforcement. People themselves will become protectors of nature,” she added.
Research Must Drive Policy Decisions
Delivering the opening remarks, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe highlighted the event as a significant milestone in strengthening climate-sensitive economic planning.
He noted that the theme of the launch and dissemination workshop, “Advancing Climate-Informed Economic Policy for Sustainable Development in Africa,” aligns with the research-led agenda of Makerere University.
Prof. Nawangwe said the launch demonstrates the role of universities in generating evidence to support national development. “Today’s event demonstrates the power of collaboration between academia, government and development partners in generating knowledge that informs public policy and advances Uganda’s sustainable development agenda,” he said.
Prof. Nawangwe said the policy briefs provide evidence needed for integrating natural capital into national planning, budgeting and investment decisions. He said the University will continue strengthening research capacity to support Uganda and Africa.
Emphasizing the urgency of informed decision-making, he observed that Africa remains one of the regions most affected by climate change while experiencing rapid population growth, placing increasing pressure on natural resources. He stressed that research-driven policies are essential for achieving climate resilience and sustainable economic growth.
The Vice Chancellor commended the Government of Uganda, particularly the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, on the country’s historic appointment as the first Co-Chair of the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action.
He recognised the Centre of Excellence for Africa Climate-Sensitive Macroeconomic Modelling (CEACM) for advancing interdisciplinary research and strengthening Uganda’s position as a regional leader in climate-sensitive macroeconomic modelling and evidence-informed policymaking.
“The Centre continues to build the capacity of African researchers and policymakers while fostering partnerships with government institutions, development partners, regional organisations, and the private sector,” he said.
Strengthening Africa’s Climate Policy Research Agenda
Prof. Edward Bbaale, the Director of CEACM and the Principal, College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), reported on Makerere University’s investment in establishing specialised centres that address critical policy challenges facing Uganda and the African continent.
He stated that CEACM was established to respond to growing global demands for climate considerations to become part of national planning, budgeting and macroeconomic decision-making.
“The Centre is committed to producing high-quality policy-oriented research while strengthening the capacity of policymakers and practitioners to respond effectively to climate and economic challenges,” he said.
He explained that CEACM was established because climate change can no longer be separated from economic planning. “It is very important that national planning, budgeting, macroeconomic frameworks and fiscal policies are not oblivious to climate change, but instead fully integrate climate-related considerations,” he said.
He stated that CEACM’s work aligns with emerging global and continental initiatives, including the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action and the Pan-African Forum of Finance Ministers on Climate Action, underscoring the increasing role of finance ministries in integrating climate priorities into economic planning and fiscal decision-making.
Prof. Bbaale added that Makerere University had positioned itself as a partner to government through research, evidence generation and capacity building. “We could not stand aside. We have to be part of this global effort and contribute the much-needed evidence, research and capacity building to support the Ministry of Finance in executing this important responsibility,” he said.
He noted that Uganda’s role as the first African country to co-chair the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action had created an opportunity for local institutions to strengthen climate-sensitive economic modelling.
Uganda’s Progress in Integrating Natural Capital into Economic Planning
Representing the GGGI Country Representative, the Manager of Climate Finance, Mr. Arthur Ssebbugga-Kimeze commended Uganda’s efforts to integrate natural capital accounting into national economic planning. “This is a critical step towards climate-resilient and sustainable development,” he acknowledged.
The Manager of Climate Finance applauded the collaboration between Makerere University, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, and development partners in generating evidence that supports informed policymaking.
He also recognised the Government of Denmark for its continued support in advancing climate-smart economic policies through the Denmark-EGP partnership.
Emphasizing the significance of natural capital as a key pillar of economic prosperity, Mr. Ssebbugga-Kimeze called for sustained investment in protecting these assets. “Uganda’s experience is increasingly informing climate finance and policy discussions across Africa through the Pan-African Finance Ministers’ Forum on Climate Action,” he added.
He called for strong partnerships among government, academia, and development partners to ensure that research continues to drive evidence-based policymaking and sustainable economic growth, reaffirming GGGI’s commitment to supporting Uganda’s green growth agenda.
Policy Briefs Must Move from Shelves to Decisions
Representing the Embassy of Denmark in Uganda, Ms. Nina Guldbæk van Leeuwen, Counsellor and Team Leader for Politics, Regional Affairs and Refugee Support, said natural capital accounting is critical for building climate-resilient economies.
She commended Uganda’s leadership as co-chair of the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action. “These policy briefs are crucial in enhancing the role of economic, fiscal and financial policies in addressing climate change in Uganda and Africa as a whole,” she said.
Ms. Van Leeuwen said reliable natural capital accounts enable finance ministries to integrate climate considerations into economic planning. “Ministries of Finance require these accounts to support macroeconomic modelling, which can only be developed through a strengthened and collaborative national statistical system,” she said.
She urged stakeholders to ensure the research informs actual decisions. “Let us ensure that these policy briefs do not remain on institutional shelves but are actively used to inform decisions and policies going forward,” she said.
Natural Capital Data will improve Economic Decision
The Acting Commissioner for Macroeconomic Policy at Uganda’s Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Mr. Davis Vuningoma, called for climate change to be treated as a macroeconomic and fiscal challenge rather than solely an environmental issue.
“Climate risks pose significant threats to agricultural productivity, energy generation, infrastructure, government revenues, and fiscal stability,” he noted.
Mr. Vuningoma said natural capital accounting will strengthen Uganda’s ability to make informed economic decisions.
He warned that climate change poses economic risks that could affect Uganda’s fiscal space. “If we do not address these challenges, our fiscal space could shrink, and our ability to provide public services could be affected,” Mr. Vuningoma said.
He said Uganda’s natural resources have historically not been fully reflected in traditional economic measurements. “Uganda is richly endowed with natural capital, including forests, wetlands and water resources. However, traditional measures of economic performance have often failed to fully capture the value of these assets,” he said.
Mr. Vuningoma said the policy briefs provide practical options for government as Uganda seeks to expand its economy. “This is particularly important at a time when Uganda is pursuing ambitious economic transformation targets, including the goal of growing the economy tenfold and achieving a USD 500 billion economy,” he said.
Key Findings Highlight Pressure on Uganda’s Natural Resources
Presenting the highlights, Dr. Peter Babyenda, the Coordinator of CEACM, disclosed that the policy briefs highlight growing pressure on Uganda’s natural resources.
The Energy System at Crossroads brief found that traditional biomass accounts for about 87 percent of Uganda’s final energy consumption, highlighting continued dependence on firewood and charcoal.
The Wood Stock Declining Pathway brief found that Uganda’s national wood resources declined by 45 percent between 1990 and 2015, with projections warning of possible exhaustion of available wood supply between 2032 and 2040 under current trends.
The Land Natural Capital brief identified unsustainable agricultural expansion, deforestation and urbanisation as major drivers of land degradation.
The Ecosystem Services and Asset Accounts brief noted that although the monetary value of ecosystem assets increased between 1990 and 2015, natural capital value per person declined by 17.7 percent due to population growth.
The National Water Accounts brief highlighted agriculture as the largest water user, accounting for 55.4 percent of total water abstraction in 2024, while warning of increasing climate risks.
Panel Discussion: Advancing Climate-Informed Economic Policy for Sustainable Development in Africa
Moderated by Prof. Edward Bbaale, the session featured the following panellists: Dr. Ronald Kaggwa-National Planning Authority, Mr. Wilson Asiimwe-Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Mr. Nathan Mununuzi-Ministry of Water and Environment, Mr. Godwin Kamugisha-National Environment Management Authority, and Dr. Peter Babyenda-CEACM Coordinator and member of faculty at Makerere University College of Business and Management Sciences (MakCoBAMS).
The Panelists argued that assigning monetary value to forests, wetlands, water resources, and other ecosystems would enable evidence-based budgeting, investment decisions, and environmental protection while capturing costs ignored by traditional GDP measures.
They stressed the need for stronger institutions, increased funding, enhanced research and capacity building, and closer collaboration between government, academia, and development partners.
The event, organized by CEACM, brought on board distinguished stakeholders including the Minister of State for Environment, Hon. Beatrice Atim Anywar who represented the Minister of Water and Environment, Hon. Maj. Gen. (Rtd.) Kahinda Otafiire, Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Principal, College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), and Director CEACM, Prof. Edward Bbaale and representatives from different Ministries and Agencies such as, the Embassy of Denmark in Uganda, the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, the Ministry of Water and Environment, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, and among others.
CEACM is a research and policy centre that supports African countries in integrating climate change and natural capital into economic planning through research, capacity building, and evidence-based policymaking. CEACM is one of the centres within the School of Economics at the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) at Makerere University.
The Public Investment Management Centre of Excellence (PIM CoE) at Makerere University is set to benefit from a grant under the World Bank-supported PIM-Plus Project, an initiative aimed at strengthening Public Investment Management Systems and enhancing the capacity for effective project planning, appraisal, implementation, and monitoring in Uganda.
Through the project, the Centre is expected to receive funding of approximately USD 8 million to support the construction of a modern teaching and residential facility. The proposed infrastructure is intended to enhance the Centre’s capacity to deliver high-quality training, research and technical advisory services in Public Investment Management (PIM) to government institutions and other stakeholders across the region and beyond.
The project’s construction activities are anticipated to commence in the next financial year following the completion of the necessary preparatory processes, including feasibility studies and project design.
As part of the ongoing project preparation activities, the PIM CoE today hosted a delegation of officials from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED), who visited the Centre to assess progress made towards the implementation of the PIM-Plus Project. The visit provided an opportunity for the Ministry team to review the Centre’s readiness, discuss key project milestones, and identify areas requiring further attention to ensure timely project execution.
The Ministry delegation was led by Ms. Esther Ayebare, Ag. Assistant Commissioner, Public Investments and Project Analysis Department who commended the Centre for the progress registered thus far. She emphasized the importance of adhering to the project preparation timelines and urged the PIM CoE team to expedite the completion of the feasibility studies and other prerequisite activities necessary for project approval and commencement.
Ms. Ayebare noted that the successful implementation of the project will significantly strengthen the Centre’s role as a national and regional hub for capacity building, research and knowledge dissemination in Public Investment Management. She further underscored the Government’s commitment to supporting initiatives that enhance the quality of public investments and contribute to improved service delivery and sustainable economic development.
The Director of the PIM Centre, Prof. Edward Bbaale reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to ensuring that all project preparation requirements are completed within the stipulated timelines. He noted that the planned facility will provide a conducive environment for training, accommodation and collaborative learning thereby strengthening the Centre’s ability to support the Country in developing and managing high-quality investment projects.
Dr. John Sseruyange, the Manager of the PIM Centre of Excellence emphasized that the Centre remains committed to delivering high-quality, demand-driven training courses that respond to the evolving needs of Public Investment Management practitioners and contribute to the successful implementation of Uganda’s Public Investment Management reform agenda. He further noted that the project will enable the Centre to effectively fulfil its mandate and contribute more meaningfully to addressing PIM capacity constraints in the region. The PIM-Plus Project forms part of broader efforts by the Government of Uganda and its development partners to improve the efficiency, effectiveness and impact of public investments, ensuring that public resources are directed towards projects that deliver maximum socio-economic benefits for citizens.
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