The Public Investment Management Centre of Excellence (PIM CoE) at Makerere University has resumed its in-depth training program for government officials in Financial Appraisal and Risk Analysis. The two-week training, held in Jinja, brings together public officers from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) across Uganda.

The opening ceremony was officiated by Professor Edward Bbaale, Principal Investigator of the PIMCoE, and Ms. Esther from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED), who both underscored the importance of enhancing government capacity in designing and managing effective public investments.

In his remarks, Prof. Bbaale thanked MoFPED for its financial support and strategic collaboration in organizing the training and identifying participants. “Your continued support is instrumental in enhancing the skills and capacity of government workers in Public Investment Management,” he said. He commended the role of Vice Chancellors, Permanent Secretaries, and CAOs in nominating participants and reaffirmed Makerere’s commitment to delivering transformative learning through a blend of theory and hands-on project appraisal.

He revealed that participants will tackle real-world projects in sectors such as roads, health, energy, and education, and will receive a prestigious tripartite certificate from Makerere University, MoFPED, and Queen’s University in Canada upon completion.

Ms. Esther Ayebare, representing MoFPED, echoed these sentiments and emphasized the Ministry’s collaboration with PIM CoE in building capacity under the Public Investment Management System (PIMS) framework. “This training will empower you to make informed decisions, assess financial viability, and identify risks that could impact investment outcomes,” she noted.

The training features facilitators from Cambridge Resources International, International Growth Centre, National Planning Authority, and MoFPED, providing a comprehensive curriculum grounded in global best practices.

Participants were encouraged to apply the knowledge gained not only in their own roles but also in mentoring colleagues, thereby broadening the reach and impact of the program.

The PIM CoE continues to play a vital role in shaping Uganda’s public investment landscape through research, advisory services, and outreach. Recent milestones include the revision of the Development Committee guidelines and convening a national PIM conference in October 2024.

With the resumption of this training, Uganda takes yet another step toward fostering a skilled public sector capable of steering high-impact investments for sustainable national development.