PIM Centre of Excellence Boosts KCCA’s Capacity for Project Financial Appraisal

Jinja — The Public Investment Management Centre of Excellence (PIM CoE) at Makerere University has kicked off a two-week intensive training in Financial Appraisal and Risk Analysis, tailored specifically for technical teams from the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA).

The programme, which runs from 17–28 November 2025, is fully funded by KCCA and reflects the Authority’s growing commitment to strengthening the quality of public investments in the capital.

Opening the training, Prof. Edward Bbaale, Director of the PIM Centre of Excellence and Principal of the College of Business and Management Sciences, applauded KCCA’s continued partnership and its proactive approach to building robust internal capacity.

Championing Excellence in Public Investment Management

Prof. Bbaale reaffirmed the Centre’s appreciation for sustained support from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED), whose collaboration with Makerere University has allowed the Centre to emerge as a leading national institution for professional training, research, and policy innovation in public investment management.

“This cohort stands out,” he noted. “KCCA’s decision to once again sponsor its staff for this programme shows clear commitment to upgrading the systems and skills that drive high-quality public investments in Kampala.”

He acknowledged Makerere University staff, MoFPED experts, and the National Planning Authority for their ongoing contributions to the Centre’s knowledge-building mission.

A Practical, Skills-Focused Training Experience

Dr John Sseruyange, Manager of the PIM Centre of Excellence, introduced the participants to the training’s structure and expectations, emphasising the global shift toward rigorous financial and risk appraisal before the rollout of public projects.

The curriculum is built to provide hands-on competence in: developing project concepts and profiles, financial modelling and appraisal, economic analysis and stakeholder engagement, integrating climate, environmental, and social considerations and applying modern tools for risk identification and mitigation.

“Our design ensures that participants walk away with practical, transferable skills,” Dr Sseruyange said. “These are competencies you will be able to use across a wide range of projects—well beyond the case studies you will work on during the training.”

He further highlighted emerging government requirements that, starting July 2025, will extend rigorous appraisal to public policies, programmes, and legislative proposals—areas in which the trainees will be positioned to provide valuable technical support.

Advancing Uganda’s Public Investment Reform Agenda

During the opening session, Prof. Bbaale encouraged participants to engage deeply with the sessions and announced that upon completion of future modules, trainees would qualify for a joint certification issued by Makerere University and MoFPED.

He also highlighted some of the Centre’s recent milestones, including: updating the national Development Committee Guidelines, evaluating public investment performance under the National Development Plan and convening the first and second Public Investment Management Conferences in 2024 and 2025.

“These achievements show our firm commitment to improving how Uganda prepares, executes, and monitors public investments,” he emphasised. “We look forward to expanding collaborations with KCCA in research, training, and technical advisory work.”

Throughout the two-week workshop, KCCA participants will analyse real projects across sectors such as transport, education, water, energy, and health. The approach is designed to equip the Authority with highly skilled professionals capable of guiding the development of sound, well-appraised investments that align with national priorities.