Business & Management
Makerere University Young Entrepreneurs urged to prioritize value addition to enhance their innovation
![[L-R] Dr.Godfrey Akileng - Dean School of Business, Prof. Sarah N. Ssali - Ag. Vice Chancellor, Chief Guest - Mr. Odrek Rwabwogo, and Gordon Katwirenabo-Assistant Commissioner, Quality Assurance and Value Addition, MAAIF at the Congress.](https://news.mak.ac.ug/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Entreprenuership-Congress-2025.jpg)
Young entrepreneurs from Makerere University have been urged to focus on value addition, quality and branding if their innovations are to grow into sustainable businesses in the country.
The call was made by several speakers during the opening of the two-day Uganda Entrepreneurship Congress and Youth Expo (16th to 17th October 2025) hosted by Makerere University College of Business and Management Sciences, under the theme, Brewing Prosperity: Youth Entrepreneurship in Uganda’s Coffee Value Chain.
The annual event serves as a national platform for youth, entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and private sector leaders to unlock youth-driven innovation.
The entrepreneurship congress and expo features over 600 students from the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) showcasing more than 300 innovations, with a spotlight on the coffee sector. The expo is among the several initiatives that the University has launched to unlock the entrepreneurship potential of students and youth in Uganda.
According to Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, the move was motivated by the high levels of youth unemployment in the country, which currently stands at 16.1 percent for those aged 18 to 30 (Uganda Bureau of Statistics, 2024).
Addressing the participants during the Entrepreneurship Congress, the Chief Guest-Mr. Odrek Rwabwogo, Chair of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development, rallied students and youth to embrace entrepreneurship.
“Education can come from strange places. Everyone has gifts, talents, abilities and resources to utilize. In a country with many unmet needs, entrepreneurship is about what you change, he said.
Mr. Rwabwogo stressed the value of local innovation. “Not everything can be commercialised especially in a country that imports 90% of what it consumes. Identify needs that outsiders will never cater for-our language, culture, and food. Those are unique strengths, he remarked.
Mr. Rwabwogo challenged the young entrepreneurs to think beyond Uganda’s borders, when he highlighted that true entrepreneurship lies in producing goods that can compete on the international market.
“When you build a business that can sell in another person’s market, you are a hero or heroine because what you have done is disrupting the status quo, which praises import. In this country, for instance in Kikuubo business area, you hear statements such as my container is about to reach Uganda, and not my container is leaving the yard in Uganda and is taking Ovocado to Spain or another country. I want the language to change.”
Representing the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University – Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Professor Sarah Ssali noted that the expo comes at a time when youth unemployment stands at 16.1 percent, which informs the university’s move to challenge this growing reality.
“I am glad to note that Makerere University continues to champion innovations and turning graduates from job seekers into job creators, and champions of societal transformation. The expo is Makerere’s attempt to strategically locate itself in the conversation around coffee being the biggest export earner in the country,” she said.
Statistics indicate that Uganda exported 667,037 kilograms of coffee worth US$162.36 million, highlighting the sector’s importance to the economy and its role as a key foreign exchange earner. Despite this, most youth are excluded from high-value segments of the coffee value chain, such as processing, branding, and export, often remaining confined to low-income farm labor.
According to Professor Ssali, this disconnect represents both a critical risk and an unprecedented opportunity. The expo, therefore, serves as a national platform for youth, entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and private sector leaders to unlock youth-driven innovation across the coffee value chain, from climate-smart farming and agri-tech to processing, branding, and global market access.
She believes that by moving beyond subsistence farming towards ownership, innovation, and high value enterprises, the youth in Uganda can secure a greater share of the global coffee market while catalyzing job creation and sustainable development.
Dr. Sarah Bimbona, Director of the Makerere University Entrepreneurship and Outreach Centre, said several of the innovations on display have the potential to be scaled into viable enterprises. She added that these new ventures would build on the success of over 150 companies that emerged from previous editions of the entrepreneurship expo.
Dr. Bimbona used the golden opportunity to highlight three requests for support. She appealed for support, noting that the Centre has spent nine years nurturing over 1,000 business ideas annually, yet the impact of these ideas remains difficult to measure due to lack of resources for tracer studies. Commending Mr. Rwabwogo for accepting to become the Patron of the Centre, Dr. Bimbona requested him to amplify the Centre’s reach and support for youth, women and broader economic development.
On opening opportunities, the Centre offers guidance to entrepreneurs free of charge and seeks partnerships to connect student ideas with the industry. “We have the expertise and experience. We just need that extra push to remain relevant in the business community,” she stated.
Dr. Bimbona reiterated the transformative power of mentorship that is provided through the Makerere University Entrepreneurship and Outreach Centre.
The Dean, School of Business, Associate Professor Godfrey Akileng specified that entrepreneurship is one of the flagship initiatives of the College of Business and Management Sciences. He encouraged the students to seize the moment. “This is your opportunity to showcase your innovations, to interact with industry players, and to change your mindset from job-seekers to job creation,” he said. “Let the entrepreneurship congress awaken a new spirit in you-one that says-yes, I can make it.”
Associate Professor Akileng cited the story of Bill Gates as an example of what determination and innovation can achieve, reminding the students that greatness often starts from simple beginnings. “There is no reason we cannot build something extraordinary from coffee and other local products,” he stated, emphasizing the value of entrepreneurship in national transformation.
The Dean, School of Business, expressed deep appreciation to the industry partners for their collaboration and generosity. “You have invested time, knowledge and financial support to be here. Thank you for supporting the Entrepreneurship Congress and Expo,” he remarked.
Associate Professor Akileng commended Dr. Sarah Bimbona, and the entire entrepreneurship team namely Dr. Cathy Mbidde, Dr. Kasimu Sendawula, Dr. Hanifah Nantale, Dr. Marion Nanyanzi, and Mr. Luke Muhwezi for nurturing student entrepreneurs at Makerere University.
The entrepreneurship congress featured a keynote address, and two panels focusing on: Market Readiness, Value Addition and Story Telling, as well as, Financing the Future.
The Keynote Speaker, Mr. Moses Nyabila, CEO of aBi Development Ltd, urged the government and private sector to establish an export fund to support young entrepreneurs in starting their businesses.
Mr. Nyabila explained that the fund would help young entrepreneurs launch simple start-ups that have the potential to grow into larger enterprises. The fund, he noted, would not only support production, but also empower entrepreneurs to handle basic packaging and export processes. According to him, such an initiative represents a critical form of value addition.
Mr. Nyabila added that such initiatives would help challenge the current status quo, which prioritizes imports over exports. He used the expo as a platform to call on the government to shift the national mindset toward building Uganda’s presence in the global export market.
During the panel discussions, contributors discussed several steps through which the young entrepreneurs can be equipped with skills that can help them to join the competitive market.
Some of the panelists included: Bob Paul Lusembo-Head of Business Growth, BRAC Uganda Bank, Geoffrey Okidi-Financial Deepening Uganda, Nakabuye Flavia Bwire- Inclusion and Microfinance Specialist, and Sectrine Muganzi-Coffee Farmer and Youth Entrepreneur.
Other panelists included Jackline Arinda Akampwera-CEO Jada Coffee, Gordon Katwirenabo-Assistant Commissioner, Quality Assurance and Value Addition, MAAIF, Edwin Danze- Head of Marketing, Next Media Group, and Godwin Birungi- Founder, Rubungi Enterprises.
The different Speakers acknowledged that while Uganda has no shortage of innovations, gaps in value addition and branding continue to undermine product competitiveness, reinforcing the stereotype that Ugandan products are of poor quality.
One of the panelists, Jackline Arinda Akampwera, CEO of Jada Coffee, noted that branding strongly influences perceptions of quality. In the same development, she argued that limited branding is also largely responsible for the misconception that Ugandan products are substandard.
“We have this perception that when we see a brand on a billboard, it must be of good quality. Branding is therefore central to entrepreneurship,” Arinda said. “In Uganda, there’s limited branding and value addition, which affects the marketability of our products,” she said
Arinda shared that before she joined the coffee business, she realized Uganda had no widely recognized coffee brands, despite being a top coffee producer. This inspired her to create a brand that would appeal even to non-coffee drinkers.
“You don’t have to be a coffee consumer to know coffee brands—just like you don’t have to be a football fan to know who Ronaldo is,” she said. “That’s what branding does. Even if people don’t drink coffee, they should know that Jada Coffee exists. I came in to change the way the market operates.”
She added that this lack of branding also explains the low domestic consumption of coffee. To address this, Arinda began introducing coffee at social functions—events that traditionally only offered juices and sodas—as part of efforts to popularize local coffee consumption.
Gordon Katwirenabo, Assistant Commissioner, QA and Value Addition, MAAIF agreed with Arinda. He stated that the government is very intentional in promoting value addition to the country’s produces.
“Value addition is very prominent in our policy framework. If you produce and get only money for production, then there is no value, and then you cannot achieve the economic importance and transformation that we need in our communities. So, through that were are very intentional in supporting value addition,” he said.
On his part, Godwin Birungi, Founder, Rubungi Enterprises noted that while branding is very important, branding alone is not enough if the products themselves lack quality. He argued that the two—branding and quality, must reinforce each other for a business to thrive.
“I realized that there is a need to be consistent in producing high quality products. The more you produce high quality, the more you lift your brand,” he said
Business & Management
Makerere Vice Chancellor tasks CoBAMS to Change Africa’s research trajectory through graduate training
June 15, 2026: The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe has called upon members of faculty and researchers at the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) to harness the power of graduate training to change Africa’s research trajectory. The call aligns with the research-led agenda of Makerere University – a strategic direction aimed at positioning the institution at the forefront of producing the requisite human resources and innovations for Uganda’s and Africa’s transformation.
To reinforce his line of argument, the Vice Chancellor cited statistics that place Africa, which is home to about 16% of the global population, at a rate of only 3% of the world’s total research output.
Strongly convinced that Makerere University through its Colleges, Schools, members of faculty, researchers and graduate students, has the potential to undertake research to change Africa’s research trajectory, the Vice Chancellor challenged the College of Business and Management Sciences to optimize graduate training to channel out research, innovations and publications.
“The future belongs to research. Graduate training presents us with a critical mass of students, to be nurtured, trained and mentored in research, to produce research outputs and innovations. I am therefore here to discuss with you, and hear your views on maximizing the graduate research potential,” he said.
A case for the research-led agenda and graduate training
Established in 1922, Makerere University celebrated 100 years of excellence in 2022. The commencement of its second century, presented the institution with a greater call to be a thought leader of impact-driven research and innovations.
Consequently, in the Strategic Plan, the leadership, staff and stakeholders, committed to the transformation of Makerere University into a research-led institution.
Graduate training was highlighted as a central pillar in the realization of the research-led agenda. Several strides have been registered including a record of 213 PhD graduates during the 76th graduation ceremony held in February 2026.
Driven by the prospects, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, on Monday 15th June 2026, held a strategic meeting with the leadership and staff at the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) aimed at harnessing the power of graduate training to build a robust knowledge economy. He underscored the need to align graduate training, research and publications to with the overall research-led agenda of the University.
The meeting brought onboard university officials central to graduate training namely Prof. Julius Kikooma-Director of Graduate Training, Associate Professor William Tayeebwa-Managing Editor of Makerere University Press, the publishing arm of the institution, Prof. Fredrick Jones Muyodi-Head of the Makerere University Writing Centre, Prof. Edward Bbaale-the Principal of the College of Business and Management Sciences, Associate Professor James Wokadala- the Deputy Principal, Associate Professor Ibrahim Mike Okumu-Dean, School of Economics, Associate Professor Godfrey Akileng-Dean, School of Business, Dr. Margaret Banga-Dean, School of Statistics and Planning, Heads of Departments, Coordinators of Graduate Training, members of faculty and researchers.
Strategies for increasing graduate student numbers
The Vice Chancellor stated that Colleges should work with the Directorate of Graduate Training and key stakeholders to increase the number of graduate students (Masters and PhD levels). To facilitate this strategic direction, the Vice Chancellor emphasized the need to adhere to the policy guidelines, supervision procedures, and coming up with innovative systems aimed at improving the completion rates at the graduate levels.
In his presentation, the Director of Graduate Training, Prof. Julius Kikooma focused on the area of PhD training, policy changes to spur graduate training, and the strategic targets of Makerere University.
Specific to the PhD by Research, Prof. Kikooma appealed to the Colleges to popularize this PhD track, and encouraged Schools and Departments to actively contribute to its successful delivery.
Responding to the challenge of workload cognizant of the low staffing levels in some academic disciplines, Prof. Kikooma guided that when filling in the template, the members of faculty should indicate both the teaching load (hours taught) and the supervision load.
Centres of Excellence and Research at CoBAMS
Presenting the research and graduate training strategy, the Principal, Prof. Edward Bbaale provided a brief profile of the five (5) Centres of Excellence, through which, the College champions research, innovations, entrepreneurship, policy engagement, community impact.
Prof. Bbaale expounded that the Centres of Excellence and Research provide a practical training ground and mentorship for graduate students (Masters and PhD levels).
The Centres of Excellence and Research include: Public Investment Management Centre of Excellence (PIM CoE), Environment for Development (EfD-Mak Centre), Entrepreneurship and Innovation Centre, Tumusiime Mutebile Centre of Excellence, Centre for Population and Applied Statistics, the African Centre for Climate-Sensitive Macroeconomic Modelling.
Vice Chancellor tasks CoBAMS to host more Centres of Excellence and Research
Reflecting on the significant contribution of Centres of Excellence to research productivity and visibility, as well as mentorship for graduate students, the Vice Chancellor tasked the College leadership to establish more centres.
“Centres of Excellence help to redirect research. I therefore task you, to engage the Schools and Departments so that the College hosts over ten (10) Centres,” he guided.
According to the Vice Chancellor, each department at the CoBAMS should host at least two (2) Centres of Excellence and Research.
Publishing with Makererere University Press
In addition to publishing in internationally recognized journals, the Vice Chancellor encouraged the College to come up with home-grown journals, and publish their work in Makerere University journals. He called upon staff to utilize the Makerere University Press, which is the publishing arm of the institution.
The Managing Editor of the Makerere University Press, Associate Professor William Tayeebwa outlined that Makerere University journals are strategic instruments for: global visibility of Makerere University research, academic reputation and institutional ranking, knowledge dissemination and policy influence, strengthening postgraduate supervision and research culture, and attracting international scholarly collaboration.
The Managing Editor explained that the Makerere University Press was implementing a structured, standards-driven journal ecosystem where all journals meet the minimum international publishing standards. He added that the journals are developed intentionally for indexing readiness, and colleges take ownership of journal performance and sustainability, while the Makerere University Press provides the centralized technical and quality assurance support.
Specifically, Associate Professor Tayeebwa informed the audience that the Press had worked with the College of Business and Management Sciences to produce the 2025 working paper series consisting of over 60 research outputs. He added that both entities were in advanced staged of producing the 2026 CoBAMS Working Paper Series, targeting over 80 research outputs.
With reference to the College by College Indexing Roadmap matrix, the Managing Editor highlighted that the College of Business and Management Sciences will feature the following disciplines: Economics, Finance, Accounting, Marketing, and Management. The Primary Indexing Ecosystem includes: EBSCO Information Services, ProQuest, SSRN, RePEc, and the Prestige Layer including Scopus and the Web of Science.
The Strategic Role of Graduate Training
Presenting the College’s position on graduate training, the Principal-Prof. Edward Bbaale reaffirmed that graduate training is the cornerstone of a research-intensive and innovation-driven university.
“Graduate training drives research productivity, publication output, grant competitiveness, and internal visibility,” he said. He noted that graduate training strengthens policy engagement, national development impact, and the University’s contribution to knowledge generation.
“Through our graduate programmes, the College of Business and Management Sciences contributes significantly to the University research-led agenda. The College hosts market-responsive and policy-relevant graduate programmes, which attract working professionals and practitioners,” he elaborated.
To illustrate that the demand for CoBAMS graduate programmes is very high, Prof. Bbaale shared an infographic message, with the Master of Business Administration attracting over 700 applicants.
Doctoral Training and Research Coordination
The Principal stressed that graduate coordinators are essential for programme management and quality assurance.
He pointed out that the College had appointed faculty and/or researchers to take on the following roles: Dr. Kasimu Sendawula-Coordinator for the College Doctoral Forum, Dr. Patricia Ndugga-Research and Grants Coordinator, and Dr. Peter Babyenda as the Policy Engagement Coordinator.
He implored the University leadership on the need for institutional recognition and support for graduate coordinators.
Research Productivity and Visibility
Prof. Bbaale reported that the College produced 60 working papers last financial year, and targets to roll out over 80 working papers this financial year.
He highlighted that the College and the Makerere University Press were in the process of developing discipline-based journals, a strategic approach aimed at institutionalizing a strong publication culture.
Recommendations
Building on the strides so far, the Principal advocated for strengthening the graduate infrastructure and ICT, provision of resources and incentives to facilitate graduate teaching, supervision and examinations, institutionalized support for doctoral fora, journals, and research dissemination, and approval to run the Executive Master of Business Administration in a project mode.
Calls to utilize the Makerere University Writing Centre
Prof. Fredrick Jones Muyodi, explained that the Makerere University Writing Centre constitutes a multi-disciplinary team, an attribute that positions the entity as a university-wide unit with ability to handle all disciplines within the University.
Prof. Muyodi explained that the Makerere University Writing Centre has various programmes targeting early-career researchers, discipline-specific demands, and researchers in general.
He called upon the staff at the College of Business and Management Sciences to utilize the services offered by the Makerere University Writing Centre such as trainings and mentorship, grant writing sessions, and capacity building in policy brief writing techniques.
Business & Management
Government Strengthens Public Investment Management Capacity Through Intensive Training at Makerere University
Makerere University’s Public Investment Management (PIM) Centre of Excellence has commenced a three-day Essential Public Investment Management Training Programme aimed at strengthening the capacity of government officials in project preparation, appraisal, and implementation.
The training, supported by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, brings together participants from Ministries, Departments, Agencies, and Local Governments to enhance skills in designing and managing high-impact public investments that align with Uganda’s national development priorities.
Opening the programme on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Ms. Gertrude Basiima, Commissioner for Public Investment and Assets Management (PAP) at the Ministry of Finance, reflected on the evolution of Uganda’s Public Investment Management system and the establishment of the PIM Centre of Excellence.
She noted that the Centre is one of the key institutional innovations that emerged from the creation of the Public Investment Management Department in 2016.
“I was encouraged to learn that the PIM Centre of Excellence, which we started several years ago, is one of the products that emerged from the establishment of the Public Investment Management Department. We established the Centre to bridge the gap between practitioners and academia,” she said.
Ms. Basiima emphasized that effective public investment management requires a blend of practical experience and academic expertise, noting that many facilitators in the programme are active practitioners who also serve as trainers.
She expressed appreciation for returning to Makerere University, describing it as a place of personal significance and transformation, having once been a student at the institution.
Strengthening project discipline and accountability
Addressing participants, Ms. Basiima underscored the critical role of project preparation committees in ensuring quality public investments.
She urged participants to apply the knowledge gained from the training to improve the quality of projects reviewed within their institutions.
“As members of Project Preparation Committees, your role is central in ensuring that only well-prepared projects progress to Development Committees. I will be disappointed if I later encounter poorly prepared projects from officers who have undergone this training,” she cautioned.
She further emphasized that public investment management lies at the heart of Uganda’s development agenda, distinguishing between recurrent expenditure and development expenditure.
Recurrent expenditure, she explained, covers routine operational costs such as utilities, fuel, and supplies, while public investment focuses on long-term development interventions such as roads, hospitals, energy systems, irrigation schemes, and water infrastructure.
“Without adequate infrastructure and reliable energy, Uganda cannot industrialize or deliver quality services. Public investment is therefore central to our development transformation,” she said.
Emphasis on evolving systems and policy reforms
Ms. Basiima highlighted key reforms in Uganda’s Public Investment Management framework, including the integration of the concept note and project profile into a single streamlined stage, followed by pre-feasibility and feasibility studies.
She also pointed participants to the updated Development Committee Guidelines (2025) and the National Public Investment Management Policy (2025), both accessible through the Integrated Bank of Projects (IBP).
She noted that the IBP now serves as the central platform for project registration, management, and monitoring, and continues to evolve in line with national reform priorities.
The Commissioner encouraged participants to actively engage in the training, emphasizing its practical and participatory nature.
“This is not a traditional classroom. You will be asked questions, engage in discussions, and work through real-life scenarios. Active participation is essential,” she said.
She further encouraged participants to embrace continuous learning, including the ability to unlearn outdated practices and adopt improved approaches to public investment management.
Makerere’s role in national capacity building
Representing the Principal of the College of Business and Management Sciences and Director of the PIM Centre of Excellence, Prof. Ibrahim Mike Okumu, Dean of the School of Economics, emphasized the centrality of the public sector in driving Uganda’s development agenda.
He noted that public investment management is fundamental to achieving economic growth, productivity, and job creation.
“The public sector is the enabler of development. Whether in health, education, or local government, every public officer contributes to national transformation through the quality of their decisions and investments,” Prof. Okumu said.
He warned that weak project preparation undermines access to government financing, even for well-conceived ideas, stressing the importance of technical capacity in project design and appraisal.
Prof. Okumu encouraged participants to view the training as the beginning of a broader professional journey in public investment management, adding that successful participants could eventually contribute as trainers and experts within the system.
Building a pipeline of skilled practitioners
In his remarks, Dr. John Sseruyange, Manager of the PIM Centre of Excellence, emphasized the importance of proper project conceptualization, noting that not all development challenges require new standalone projects.
“One of the key lessons is distinguishing between problems that require new projects and those that can be addressed through existing interventions or additional funding mechanisms,” he said.
He explained that the training forms part of a structured learning pathway that includes project preparation, financial appraisal, risk analysis, and economic appraisal.
Dr. Sseruyange also highlighted the Government’s integrated investment appraisal framework, which requires all projects to undergo rigorous assessment before approval for funding.
He encouraged participants to engage fully in both theoretical and practical sessions, noting that the programme includes group-based “lab sessions” where participants will develop real project concepts.
Toward stronger public investment outcomes
Across all speeches, a common message emerged: strengthening Uganda’s development outcomes depends on improving the quality of public investments through better skills, systems, and institutional coordination.
The PIM Centre of Excellence reaffirmed its commitment to capacity building, research, and policy advisory services aimed at improving the efficiency and effectiveness of public investment management in Uganda.
Participants were urged to translate the knowledge gained into improved performance within their respective institutions, ensuring that public resources are directed toward high-impact, well-prepared, and sustainable development projects. The training is expected to contribute to a growing cadre of skilled public investment professionals who will support Uganda’s long-term development transformation.
Business & Management
Driving Sustainable Growth: Eco-Efficiency and Cleaner Production are vital in shaping the future of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
By Ritah Namisango and Christopher Kaahwa
On Wednesday, 15th April 2026, the School of Business under the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) at Makerere University hosted a project dissemination workshop that brought together researchers, practitioners, policymakers and faculty members.
The workshop focused on the presentation of findings and policy recommendations from the research project titled: Promoting Eco-Efficiency (EE) and Cleaner Production (CP) for sustainable development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Uganda.
Opening the workshop, Associate Professor Godfrey Akileng, the Dean, School of Business represented by Dr. Anthony Tibaingana, the Head, Department of Marketing and Management welcomed participants and highlighted the role of research in connecting Makerere University to the wider community.
He noted that MSMEs form the backbone of Uganda’s economy making up the largest share of businesses across sectors and because of this, any meaningful research must speak directly to their realities.
The Dean of the School of Business commended the project team namely Dr. Marion Nanyanzi, Dr. Kasim Sendawula, and Associate Professor Peter K. Turyakira, for positively contributing to the university’s goal of being a research-led institution.
He explained that Eco-Efficiency (EE) is about using available resources wisely not just for today, but for tomorrow and generations to come. “In a country where most businesses operate on a small scale, understanding how to produce more with less is essential,” he said.
Dr. Tibaingana acknowledged the government of Uganda through the Makerere University Research and Innovation Fund (MakRIF) for funding the research project titled, Promoting Eco-Efficiency (EE) and Cleaner Production (CP) for sustainable development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Uganda. He recognized Professor Fred Masagazi Masaazi, Chairperson of the Mak RIF Grants Management Committee (GMC) and thanked him, for gracing the dissemination workshop with his personal presence.
Achieving sustainable growth through eco-efficiency and cleaner production
The main presentation led by Dr. Marion Nanyanzi, the Principal Investigator (P.I.) unpacked the research project in a detailed and practical way. At its core, the study explored how MSMEs, particularly in the Food and Beverage (F&B) Service sector in Uganda can achieve sustainable growth by balancing three key areas: economic performance, environmental responsibility and social contribution.
From a social perspective, Dr. Nanyanzi stated that businesses were found to be playing an important role in creating jobs, supporting local suppliers, and contributing to community activities. She added that the study was also focused on reducing environmental harmful practices such as reliance on charcoal and firewood and adopting cleaner energy sources that would economically yield increased profits for enterprises.
The study revealed that while these enterprises significantly contribute to employment and government revenue, they face serious constraints pointing out that high operational costs especially electricity remain a major challenge. “ So, many businesses are forced to turn to cheaper alternatives that are harmful to both health and environment creating a difficult balance between survival and sustainability,” she said.
Amidst these challenges, the study highlighted the resilience and creativity of entrepreneurs. It was found out that many business owners have developed coping strategies to remain operational with some of them adjusting production depending on customer flow especially in areas such as Kampala where demand fluctuates with academic calendars. Dr. Nanyanzi noted that other entrepreneurs have found ways to manage resources more carefully for instance through switching on refrigerators at night when electricity tariffs are lower or re-using water to reduce costs.
Makerere University Guest House highlights its cleaner production strategy
Adding a practical perspective to the study, Mr. Patrick Ojiambo Lwande, the manager of Makerere University Guest House shared how cleaner production is being implemented by the facility in its everyday operations. He mentioned that the facility undertakes waste segregation, recycling and proper waste management as key practices. “Organic waste is separated and repurposed, recyclable materials are re-used and hazardous waste is carefully handled to avoid environmental pollution,” he stated.
Appreciation of eco-efficiency and cleaner production measures
These practices reflect an emerging understanding of eco-efficiency by business owners who are beginning to recognize that reducing waste and conserving resources can directly improve their production line.
The study also found out that many enterprises are making efforts towards cleaner production. Hygiene standards are being improved, waste is better managed and emissions are controlled through simple measures such as chimneys and ventilation system. In some cases, food waste is used as animal feed while other organic materials are re-used in farming. However, the progress to transition towards more sustainable practices is slowed down by various obstacles including limited financial capacity, lack of technical skills and low awareness among business owners.
Key recommendations
To address these gaps, the project team proposed the following practical recommendations:
- Increasing access to affordable financing by government and financial institutions through introducing subsidies, grants, or low-interest green financing schemes to support investment in cleaner production technologies,
- Promoting public-private partnerships to lower the cost of eco-efficient equipment and infrastructure,
- Undertaking capacity building and training programmes, awareness and sensitization campaigns,
- Strengthening institutional and regulatory frameworks, research and innovation support,
- Providing support for small and informal businesses by designing tailored interventions for micro and small enterprises, and
- Encouraging business clustering and cooperative models to enable shared access to eco-efficient technologies and resources.
MakRIF supports research that addresses national priorities
Professor Fred Masagazi Masaazi, Chairperson of Mak-RIF Grants Management Committee (GMC) emphasized the importance of research that addresses national priorities, noting that government support for research is meant to generate practical solutions.
Professor Masagazi Masaazi highlighted the critical role of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Uganda’s economy, describing the research presented as both timely and relevant. “This is exactly the kind of research Uganda needs — research that directly impacts society and supports economic transformation,” he said.
He encouraged researchers to explore collaborations across disciplines. “Bringing together expertise from different fields can lead to stronger and more impact-oriented solutions that respond to the country’s development needs,” he added. He also called for greater engagement with policymakers and industry players during dissemination.
Research and Industry pathways
The Dean, School of Business, Associate Professor Godfrey Akileng urged researchers, faculty and participants at the dissemination workshop to rethink how research translates into real economic value, emphasizing stronger research to industry pathways at Makerere University and beyond.
Promoting environmental compliance
Mr. Peter Ssekajja, Senior Environmental Officer (Cleaner Production), National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) informed participants about the ongoing efforts to promote environmental compliance, referencing the establishment of a Compliance Assistance Unit and the introduction of the National Environment Sustainability Awards as some of the supporting measures.
He stated that these initiatives aim to support businesses in adopting sustainable practices while recognizing those that are leading the way. “Environment is no longer just about enforcement, but also about guidance, innovation and collaboration,” he emphasized.
Mr. Ssekajja reflected on the changing nature of environmental challenges as populations grow and resources becoming more strained. He appealed for efficient and responsible use of resources by business owners. He implored the business owners to consider sustainability not as a burden, but as an opportunity.
Participants enlightened on eco-efficiency and cleaner production
Dr. Jude Mugarura, the Head, Department of Marketing and Management, appreciated the dissemination workshop which presented them with an opportunity to listen to both the research project team and two practitioners namely Makerere University Guest House, and the National Management Environment Authority (NEMA). “We are therefore able to bridge the academia and the field of practice,” said Dr. Mugarura.
Dr. Seperia Bwadene Wanyama, from the School of Business, thanked Mr. Peter Ssekajja from NEMA for his presentation on cleaner production and eco-efficiency, which demonstrated to the participants some of the day-to-day wasteful practices with respect to resources, that they were engaged in, without knowing the implications. A key highlight focused on the usage of water in toilets which indicates the button to press after a short call, and the one to press after a long call, which would greatly save water consumption. “Learning is a continuous process. I have learned from the presentations of the findings by the research project team, as well as, Mr. Peter Ssekajja, who provided an informative presentation on real life practices on eco-efficiency and cleaner production.”
Conclusion: Toward a Clean and Resilient Economy
The workshop concluded with a strong call for collective action to support MSMEs in adopting eco-efficient practices. With the right support, small businesses can become engines of sustainable development. “This study provides practical insights that, if implemented, can transform MSMEs into drivers of sustainable development,” Dr. Sendawula emphasized.
Overall, the research outlines a clear pathway toward a greener, more resilient Ugandan economy—where MSMEs thrive while contributing to environmental sustainability and social well-being.
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