PhD Public Defense by Mr. Hillary Muhanguzi
2025-12-18 14:00 - 17:00 UTC | School of Statistics BoardRoom, Makerere University
INVITATION:
The Dean, School of Statistics and Planning under the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), cordially invites you to the PhD Public Defense of the following candidate:
Name of the Candidate: Mr. Hillary Muhanguzi
Title of Thesis:
Methodological aspects in the construction of a composite indicator of service delivery in Uganda
Date: Thursday 18th December 2025.
Time: 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Venue: School of Statistics Board Room A16

ABSTRACT
This study elaborates methodological aspects encountered in the building of composite indicators with application to service delivery in Uganda. This study amplified the three main stages, the selection of quality data, the building of the composite indicator itself and statistical approaches that may be utilized to model service delivery composite indicator (CI). This study formulated a data quality assessment framework (DQAF) to enhance the construction of a composite indicator. The DQAF was formulated with a dual orientation that prioritizes two user-oriented data quality components (DQCs) namely; relevance, and interpretability, and three producer-oriented DQCs of methodological soundness, accuracy, and statistical adequacy. The application of the DQAF to service delivery data resulted in the selection of 51 from a pool of 103 potential indicators, reflecting a 48.6% acceptability percentage. The composite indicator for statistical regions, which included five dimensions—education, health, water, agriculture, and roads—was developed utilizing official data from the 2021 National Service Delivery Survey conducted by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, along with various sector performance reports from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Water and Environment. Additionally, the study developed an alternative composite indicator for district local governments, concentrating on the education, health, and water dimensions, which was modeled against potential covariates. The composite indicator for statistical regions indicated that Uganda achieved a score of 0.49 (0 ≤ composite indicator score ≤ 1) utilizing equal weighting, minimax transformation, and additive aggregation, whereas the score was 0.45 with equal weighting, distance-to-reference point transformation, and geometric aggregation. Min-max transformation yields higher scores compared to distance-to-reference point, attributable to the exogenously determined goalposts. Weights that are participatory determined were comparable with data-derived weights. Robustness tests demonstrated that the constructed composite indicator exhibited stability and can therefore be utilized. The absolute differences in ranks by region were observed, with Kampala and Lango exhibiting the lowest differences and Karamoja and Kigezi the highest, attributable to the presence of outliers and inequitable performance in the examined variables. The aggregation stage was the most sensitive accounting for nearly 60% of the total variance, primarily due to interaction with mainly the transformation stage; this underscores the necessity to cautiously select an aggregation method, as it greatly influences the robustness of the results.
The absolute rank differences were highest in the education dimension at 2.00 and lowest in the roads and health dimension at 1.33, indicating the varying impact of excluding aspects from the composite index. In assessing the differentials of service delivery at local government level, the composite indicator scores ranged from 0.25 to 0.60, with a substantial portion of the density plot situated below 0.50, indicating inadequate service delivery levels. The scores were negatively influenced by the number of sub-counties and land area, and positively influenced by central government funding, funding from other agencies, number of town councils, and age of the district. While beta regression adeptly models bounded data, random forest regression highlights the relative importance of predictors, and generalized additive model captures non-linear covariate effects. The comparable predictive accuracy of these methods, as evaluated using root mean square error, suggests their applicability to this investigation in accordance with the analytical objectives. A dual orientation of data quality components should be developed collaboratively, ensuring that redundancies and overlaps are recognized and resolved to clarify the intrinsic qualities of data and elementary indicators. Furthermore, it is recommended to investigate penalization methods to manage the substitutability of variables during aggregation due to unequal performance, as well as to employ both parametric and non-parametric techniques to assess differentials in service delivery.
Supervisors:

Yeko Mwanga
James.Wokadala
Francesca Bassi
Muuela Scioni

Your presence and participation will be highly appreciated as we support the student in this important academic milestone.

PhD Public Defense for Ms. Lillian Ayebale
2026-02-11 10:00 - 13:00 | School of Statistics Board Room, Makerere University, KAMPALA, KAMPALA, +2560414, Uganda
INVITATION:
The Dean, School of Statistic and Population Studies under the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), cordially invites you to the PhD Public Defense of the following candidate:
Name of the Candidate: Ms. Lillian Ayebale
Title of Thesis:
Risky Sexual Behaviours, fertility and coping responses among adolescents in South- central Uganda
Date: Wednesday 11th Februrary 2026.
Time: 10:00am – 1:00pm
Venue:
School of Statistics Board Room
ABSTRACT
Adolescents in Uganda face multiple vulnerabilities and exposures to risks. Approximately 25% of Ugandan teenagers become pregnant by the age of 19 years. This study explored and examined risky sexual behaviors, fertility, and coping responses among adolescents in South-Central Uganda.
This was a mixed-methods study. It involved a systematic review of studies on correlates of fertility among adolescents in SSA, statistical analysis of risky sexual behaviors among adolescents, and qualitative interviews with adolescents and parents from the Rakai Community Cohort Study (RCCS), a population-based HIV surveillance cohort. A systematic review protocol was developed and published in PROSPERO to guide the systematic synthesis of determinants of adolescent fertility in SSA. A negative binomial regression model was used to determine the risky sexual behaviours among adolescents, while the qualitative data analysis adopted an interpretivist approach to understand risky sexual behaviors and how parents influence these adolescent behaviors.
Cultural practices and taboos, child marriages, lack of parent-child communication on sexual matters, socioeconomic factors, and adolescent individual factors were consistently cited as key correlates of adolescent fertility according to the systematic synthesis. Adolescents aged 18-19 exhibited a significantly higher incidence of risky sexual behaviours compared to those aged 15-17 (aIRR = 2.01, 95% CI: 1.77-2.28). Living in a single-mother family structure (aIRR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.15-1.60), with other relatives (aIRR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.12-1.60), with non-relatives (aIRR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.21-1.94), or alone (adolescent-headed) (aIRR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.34-2.10) were all associated with higher incidence rates compared to living with both biological parents. Parents acknowledged that talking with adolescents could help reduce risky sexual behaviour. Parental talks on sexual matters were usually unplanned and happened when triggered by specific incidents.
Evidence from the results suggest that adolescents engage in risky sexual behaviours including non-marital sexual partnerships, multiple sexual partners, unprotected sex with a non-marital partner, and transactional sex. Parent-adolescent communication on sexual matters is essential/pertinent approach is needed to reduce/avert the associated risks. There is need for continuous engagement of all different stakeholders involved in adolescents work to have targeted interventions to prevent the risky sexual behaviours among the young people.
Supervisors:

Allen Kabagenyi
Stephen Ojiambo Wandera

Critical Reader:
Dr. John Ssekamate – Ssebuliba
Your presence and participation will be highly appreciated as we support the student in this important academic milestone.

PhD Public Defense by Mr. Jordan Paul Semwanga
2026-04-07 08:00 - 17:00
INVITATION: The Dean of the School of Economics, College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Makerere University invites you to a Viva Voce examination for Mr. Jordan Paul Semwanga on Wednesday, 23rd of April 2025, at 2PM in the College Conference Hall, Makerere University.
Date: Tuesday 23rd April 2025.
Time: 2:00 pm
Venue: The Conference Room, Level 2, Block B, College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Makerere University.
Title: “Crop production and welfare effects of using sludge manure among rural households in selected districts of central Uganda.”
ABSTRACT
The quality of arable soils has continuously deteriorated in Uganda. This has resulted into reduced crop production and constrained household welfare especially among the poor and agro-based households. Many farm households have tried to adapt to the losses in soil fertility through the use of inorganic and organic supplements. Although, a vast body of literature exists that demonstrates the positive impact of either inorganic or organic supplements but one can argue that little evidence exists about the impact of sludge manure on household crop production, household welfare, and the economic viability of its use. Thus, this dissertation examines the impact of sludge manure on rural farm households’ economic outcomes. To elaborate, the dissertation address three key specific objectives which include; (1) examined the impact of sludge manure adoption on household crop production, (2) investigated the welfare effect of sludge manure adoption among rural farm households and (3) evaluated the economic viability of using sludge manure in maize production.
The study employed a quasi-experimental design. Specifically, Propensity score matching, Endogenous switching regression and a partial budgeting analysis framework were employed as tools of analysis. The key results from this dissertation include; (1) sludge manure adoption leads to increased crop yields of say green bananas, maize, coffee and cassava crops (2) the results shows that using sludge manure improve per capita household food expenditure and per capita total household expenditure for adopters compared to non- adopters, (3) applying sludge manure in the production of maize, yields a higher marginal rate of return and this means that it is economically viable for household farmers to use sludge manure other than using inorganic fertilizers. In terms of recommendations, the study recommends promotion of sludge manure as a pathway of increasing crop yields and eventually crop income which facilitates household welfare. Still, since majority of smallholder farmers are financially constrained, the use of sludge manure is recommended because it is cost effective in the production of crops like maize.
Supervisors
Dr Aggrey Niringiye (PhD)
Senior Lecturer, Makerere University, School of Economics.
Dr. John Sseruyange (PhD)
Lecturer, Makerere University, School of Economics
Venue

Your presence and participation will be highly appreciated as we support the student in this important academic milestone.

PhD Public Defense for Mr.Isabirye Swaliki Kisige
2026-08-04 14:00 - 17:00 | Conference Hall, Block B, CoBAMS, Conference Room, Block B, CoBAMS, Kampala, Uganda
INVITATION:
The Dean, School of Economics under the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), cordially invites you to the PhD Public Defense of the following candidate:
Name of the Candidate: Mr. Isabirye Swaliki Kisige
Title of Thesis:
External debt, public and private investment, and economic growth in Heavily Indebted Poor Countries in Sub Saharan Africa
Date: Tuesday 4th August 2026.
Time: 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Venue:
Conference Room, College of Business and Management Sciences
(CoBAMS), Makerere University
ABSTRACT
This study examined how external public debt affects public investment,
private investment, and economic growth in Highly Indebted Poor
Countries within Sub-Saharan Africa over the period 2000 to 2024. The
analysis was guided by three objectives: to identify the determinants of
public investment with emphasis on external debt; to assess the effect
of public investment on private investment and determine whether the
relationship is linear or nonlinear; and to examine the direct and
indirect effects of external public debt on economic growth.
To address these objectives, the study employed two complementary
econometric approaches. The first objective was estimated using the
two-step System Generalized Method of Moments estimator to account for
endogeneity and dynamic fiscal behavior. The second and third objectives
were analyzed using the Pooled Mean Group estimator under the
Autoregressive Distributed Lag framework, given the evidence of long-run
relationships among the variables.
The results showed that public investment is influenced by its previous
levels, meaning that once countries commit to infrastructure programmes,
they tend to continue investing over time due to ongoing project and
policy commitments. Public investment was also shaped by external public
debt, economic growth, domestic revenue mobilization, and political
stability. External public debt exhibited a nonlinear effect: moderate
borrowing supported public investment, but once debt exceeded
approximately 56 percent of GDP, additional borrowing reduced the
capacity to finance new capital projects.
Public investment was found to stimulate private investment in the long
run, confirming a complementary relationship. However, this effect
weakens once public investment surpasses an estimated threshold of about
16 percent of GDP, particularly where fiscal pressures are pronounced.
Furthermore, external public debt contributed positively to economic
growth at low to moderate levels but demonstrated an inverted U-shaped
relationship at higher levels, with the turning point occurring around
23 to 24 percent of GDP. The results also revealed that debt contributes
to growth only when it is directed toward productive investment rather
than consumption or debt servicing.
Overall, the findings underscore that public investment, private
investment, and economic growth in HIPCs can benefit from external
borrowing when debt levels remain within economically sustainable bounds
and when borrowed resources are allocated to productive capital
formation. The study recommends that governments in Sub-Saharan African
HIPCs maintain public investment within the range of 10-12 percent of
GDP, where the crowding-in effect on private investment is strongest,
and avoid scaling investment beyond absorptive capacity. External public
debt should be kept below approximately 55 percent of GDP to preserve
its supportive role in private investment, and below 23-24 percent of
GDP to avoid debt overhang effects on economic growth. Strengthening
public investment efficiency, improving debt management frameworks,
expanding domestic revenue mobilization, and deepening domestic credit
markets are therefore essential to ensure that external borrowing
translates into productive capital formation and sustainable long-term
development.
Supervisors:
Dr. John Mutenyo
Dr. John Bosco Oryema
Your presence and participation will be highly appreciated as we support the student in this important academic milestone.

Conference on the theory of Noonomy
2026-08-20 08:30 - 13:00 | Makerere University Main Hall, Makerere University, KAMPALA, KAMPALA, +2560414, Uganda
Makerere University will host the Conference on the Theory of Noonomy on 20 August 2026 under the theme, “The Theory of Noonomy and its Role in Resolving Modernity Issues: Pathways to Sustainable Social and Economic Transformation.” The conference will bring together scholars, researchers and experts to explore the role of noonomy in addressing contemporary challenges and advancing sustainable social and economic transformation. The event will feature a Special Address by Prof. Sergey D. Bodrunov and a Keynote Address by Prof. Nikolay D. Dmitriev, and will be hosted by Makerere University Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe. The conference will be held at the SCR, Main Building, Makerere University, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., with online participation available via Zoom and YouTube.

PhD Defense for Mr. Faustino Byanyima
2026-09-10 09:00 - 12:00 | Conference Hall, Block B, CoBAMS, Conference Room, Block B, CoBAMS, Kampala, Uganda
INVITATION:
The Dean, School of Economics under the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), cordially invites you to the PhD Public Defense of the following candidate:
Name of the Candidate: Mr. Faustino Byanyima
Title of Thesis:
INTERNET USE AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: THE CONDITIONING EFFECT OF INSTITUTIONAL QUALITY ON EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT, LIFE EXPECTANCY, AND INCOME PER CAPITA.
Date: Thursday 10th September 2026.
Time: 09:00am – 12:00pm
Venue: CoBAMS Conference Room
ABSTRACT
Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has the lowest levels of education, life expectancy, and income per capita. The average secondary school enrolment rate is only 43%, compared with the world average of 76%. The average life expectancy is 61 years, relative to 73 years worldwide. SSA’s GDP per capita is USD 1,600, compared to USD 18,000 globally. Efforts to improve performance include policy reforms such as Universal Primary Education (UPE), health initiatives, and trade liberalisation, as well as socio-economic reforms such as debt relief, cash transfers, and expanded antiretroviral therapy. Internet use has grown from under 0.5% in 2000 to nearly 40% in 2023, driven by mobile broadband, market liberalisation, lower data costs, and policies like the African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy (2020-2030). Despite this growth, evidence of the effects of internet use on education, health, and income remains limited.
This dissertation examined the effects of internet use on educational attainment, life expectancy, and income per capita in Sub-Saharan Africa from 2000 to 2023. It assessed whether internet use improves these human development dimensions and whether effects depend on institutional quality. The study used a macro-panel approach with country-level data from the World Bank’s World Development Indicators and Worldwide Governance Indicators. To address methodological issues like endogeneity, heteroscedasticity, autocorrelation, cross-sectional dependence, and slope heterogeneity, it employed three estimation techniques: Fixed-Effects Instrumental Variables with Driscoll–Kraay standard errors (FE-IV-DK), Panel-Corrected Standard Errors (PCSE), and System Generalised Method of Moments (System GMM).
The results indicate that the developmental effect of internet use in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is conditional rather than automatic. In the education model, internet use had a statistically significant negative direct effect on secondary school enrolment (chapter 3), implying that internet use alone may divert time from educational pursuits. Nonetheless, the interaction effects between internet use and electricity access, as well as between internet use and government effectiveness, were positive and statistically significant, indicating that internet use enhances educational attainment when supported by reliable institutions. In the health model, internet use exhibited a positive and statistically significant direct effect on life expectancy (chapter 4), suggesting that broader internet use promotes better health outcomes by improving access to health information and services. The interaction effect between internet use and government effectiveness was likewise positive and statistically significant, indicating that health benefits derived from internet use are amplified in contexts where public institutions function effectively. In the income per capita model, internet use demonstrated a statistically significant negative direct effect (chapter 5), suggesting that, in the absence of complementary conditions, internet use may initially be directed towards consumption rather than productivity-enhancing activities. However, the interaction effect between internet use and electricity access was positive and statistically significant, indicating that the positive income gains from internet use materialise once a country’s electricity access exceeds approximately 39% threshold.
Overall, the dissertation concludes that internet use is a conditional development tool in Sub-Saharan Africa. Its capacity to improve educational attainment, health outcomes, and income per capita depends critically on enabling conditions, particularly access to electricity, government effectiveness, and regulatory quality. The study therefore recommends that governments and development partners complement investments in digital connectivity with broader institutional and infrastructural reforms, including rural electrification, public-sector effectiveness, and digital regulatory frameworks. These findings contribute to the growing literature on digital development in Africa and provide policy-relevant evidence to advance the African Union Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Supervisors:

Bruno Yawe Lule : Supervisor
John Bosco Nnyanzi : Co-Supervisor

Your presence and participation will be highly appreciated as we support the student in this important academic milestone.

Macroeconomic Modelling of Natural Capital Assets Training
2026-10-19 08:00 - 2026-10-23 17:00 | Makerere University, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
Macroeconomic Modelling of Natural Capital Assets Training
Event Overview
The Centre of Excellence for Climate-Sensitive Macroeconomic Modelling (CEACM) at the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Makerere University, invites participants to a short course on Macroeconomic Modelling of Natural Capital Assets using Social Accounting Matrix (SAM)-Based Multiplier Models.
Date:
19–23 October 2026
Venue:
Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
Organised by:
Centre of Excellence for Climate-Sensitive Macroeconomic Modelling (CEACM)
College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS)
Makerere University
Course Overview
African economies depend heavily on natural capital, including forests, land, water, biodiversity, minerals, fisheries and ecosystem services. Yet the contribution of these assets to economic production, employment, household welfare, government revenue and long-term economic resilience is often inadequately represented in conventional macroeconomic policy analysis.
The Short Course in Macroeconomic Modelling of Natural Capital Assets provides practical training in integrating Natural Capital Assets (NCA) into economy-wide macroeconomic analysis using Social Accounting Matrix (SAM)-based multiplier modelling approaches.
Course Content

Matrix Applications for Economy-Wide Modelling
Structure and Application of Social Accounting Matrices
Building SAM-Based Multiplier Models
Integrating Natural Capital Assets into Multiplier Models
Policy Analysis of Investments in Natural Capital Assets
Policy Simulation, Results Interpretation and Communication

Who Should Attend?
The training is intended for:

Ministries of Finance
Economic planners
Natural capital accountants
Researchers and academics
Climate and environmental professionals
Development partners and practitioners
National planning institutions
Statistical agencies
Other relevant institutions across Africa

Course Cost
USD 1,200
Practical Approach
BUILD • INTEGRATE • SIMULATE • INTERPRET • INFORM POLICY
Course Details
For full course details, Please click here to learn more and apply
Registration and Contact
Peter Babyenda, PhD
CEACM Coordinator, School of Economics
Makerere University, Plot 51 Pool Road
P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
Tel: +256 774 32413
Email: pbabyenda@gmail.com; peter.babyenda@mak.ac.ug
