The EfD-Mak Centre Uganda held its first Annual General Meeting (AGM) on July 18, 2024, at the Glory Summit Hotel in Hoima, celebrating achievements and outlining strategic objectives for the next five years. Since its establishment in Honai, Vietnam in 2018, and its official launch at Makerere University in October 2019, the center has made significant progress in environmental economics research and policy engagement.
Associate Professor Eria Hisali, an EfD Uganda advisory member, opened the meeting, which was attended by center directors, deans, research fellows, and the core team. He praised the center's accomplishments over the past five years and stressed the importance of its work for developing countries. Hisali proposed integrating the center within Makerere University for financial stability, exploring government support, and enhancing outreach to become central in parliamentary discussions on natural resources and budgeting.
Dr. Ibrahim Mike Okumu, Dean of the School of Economics, highlighted the center's success and seamless collaboration with EfD and Sida in Sweden. He emphasized the center's potential to influence graduate research and encouraged leveraging partnerships for additional grants.
Professor Johnny Mugisha, Deputy Director, highlighted the accomplishments, including over 142 published papers and 11 competitive research grants. The center's strategic plan for 2025-2029 focuses on strengthening research capacity, expanding policy engagement, and fostering collaborations.
Key resolutions from the AGM included appreciating the leadership, formalizing the AGM as an integral part of the center's structure, confirming the election results for the Director and Deputy Director, and expanding the strategic outlook based on the discussions.