PIM Centre of Excellence Launches KCCA Training in Public Investment Management
The Public Investment Management Centre of Excellence (PIM CoE) at the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Makerere University, has launched a five-day training in the Essentials of Public Investment Management (PIM) for officials from the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA).
This specialized training marks a significant milestone—not only in advancing professional capacity within KCCA, but also in reinforcing strategic collaboration between academia, local government, and national planning institutions. The training was officially opened by Ms. Esther Ayebare, Assistant Commissioner of the Project Analysis and Public Investment Department (PAP), Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED).
A Commitment to Professionalization
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Ms. Ayebare emphasized the importance of investing in PIM capacity as a cornerstone of Uganda’s development agenda. “The government is committed to building a pool of skilled professionals who can design, appraise, and manage viable public projects. This training is part of a broader strategy to ensure that public investments deliver real value for money,” she said.
She encouraged the participants to actively engage with the course content, especially the hands-on and practical components that simulate real-world project scenarios.
Strategic Investment by KCCA
In his remarks, Mr. Edson Masereka, Manager for Research and Business Development at KCCA, expressed gratitude to the PIM Centre of Excellence and MoFPED for facilitating the training. He noted that KCCA has over 30 projects currently in the pipeline and stressed the need to equip staff with the right skills to manage them effectively.
“This training is timely. It will strengthen our internal capacity to design, prepare, and execute public investments. We hope the quality and impact of our projects will improve significantly as a result,” he said.
A Unique Cohort with a Strong Message
Prof. Edward Bbaale, the Principal Investigator of the PIM Centre of Excellence, praised the training as both unique and transformative. “This is the first cohort fully sponsored by KCCA itself—a testament to the authority’s commitment to internal capacity building and professional excellence,” he said.
He also recognized the visionary partnership between Makerere University and MoFPED, which has made it possible to establish the PIM Centre of Excellence as a leading hub for training, research, and policy advisory in Uganda’s public investment space.
“Beyond training, we are also working on revising the Development Committee Guidelines, assessing public investment performance since NDP I, and producing knowledge to inform decision-making,” Prof. Bbaale noted.
The trainees will undertake three core PIM modules during the five-day session:
- Project Identification and Preparation
- Integrated Bank of Projects (IBP) and Execution
- Monitoring, Evaluation, and Impact Assessment, with a strong emphasis on climate, environmental, and social safeguards.
In the coming months, participants will have the opportunity to enroll in advanced modules on financial and economic appraisal, delivered in collaboration with Cambridge Resources International and Queen’s University (Canada), leading to a prestigious international certification.
Building a National Cadre of PIM Experts
The training reflects broader national efforts to build a robust and professional cadre of PIM practitioners capable of driving Uganda’s development goals through effective project management. Participants will receive joint certification from Makerere University and MoFPED, underscoring the academic and policy rigor of the programme.
Prof. Bbaale encouraged the participants to be active contributors in this journey:
“This workshop is just the beginning. You are the future champions of effective public investment. Engage fully, learn deeply, and take these skills back to your institutions to make a difference.”
The PIM CoE at Makerere University remains committed to providing high-quality capacity building, evidence-based research, and technical support that enhances Uganda’s ability to implement impactful public investment projects.
