The Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, has opened a week-long training for officials from the Ministry of Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs on integrating environmental, social, health and safety safeguards into procurement.
The training is organised by the Public Investment Management (PIM) Centre of Excellence at the College of Business and Management Sciences and is funded by the World Bank. Participants include officials from KCCA, metropolitan and municipal authorities under the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area programme, and representatives from central government ministries and agencies.
Prof. Nawangwe said safeguarding is central to sustainable development and accountable public service.
“If we get things wrong in Kampala, we affect the entire country. Everything done in this city must be well planned, socially responsible, and environmentally sound,” he said.
Drawing on his background as an architect, he warned that failure to address safeguards at planning and procurement stages can cause loss of life, stalled projects and heavy financial waste.
He commended the World Bank for supporting the establishment of the PIM Centre of Excellence, which he said is already influencing government systems and reducing reliance on foreign consultants.
The Under Secretary in the ministry, Ms. Monica Edemachu Ejua, described the training as timely. She said it was informed by painful experiences during infrastructure projects, including fatal accidents on worksites.
“Environmental, social, and health and safety issues must never be downplayed. These considerations must begin at procurement planning, not at implementation,” she said.
She urged officers across disciplines to understand safeguards and ensure development benefits communities.
Presenting on behalf of the World Bank, Senior Environmental Specialist Ms. Christine Kasedde said the programme seeks to strengthen national systems for managing risks in development projects.
“Environmental and social safeguards are legally binding commitments. When they are not addressed properly, issues escalate to the highest levels of government,” she said.
She noted that collaboration with Makerere has produced professional courses across several colleges and led to the creation of an Environmental and Social Sustainability Centre to support training, research and advisory services.
Representing the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority, Ms. Mercy Kyoshabire said procurement represents more than 60 percent of government spending and must promote sustainability.
“Sustainability is about the three Ps—People, Profit, and Planet. Procurement decisions made today should not compromise future generations,” she said.
University leaders who attended the opening emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation in solving national development challenges.
Prof. Edward Bbaale, Principal Investigator of the PIM Centre of Excellence, said the training addresses gaps at pre-investment and procurement stages as Uganda pursues growth amid climate and social pressures.
The course runs for one week.
