NRU :: Browsing by Author "Guloba, Madina"

Browsing by Author "Guloba, Madina"

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China-Africa Economic Relations: The Case of Uganda
(African Economic Research Consortium (AERC), 2007) Obwona, Marios; Guloba, Madina; Nabiddo, Winnie; Kilimani, Nicholas
China and Uganda have a long diplomatic history dating as far back as the post independence era. During the period of 1962-1985, bilateral relations between the two countries remained steady in spite of the regime changes in Uganda. However, the two countries saw relatively few high-level exchanges with each other during the time. In 1971, at the 26th General Assembly of the United Nations (UN), Uganda voted in favor of the resolution on the restoration of China's lawful seat in the world body. Bilateral relations between the two countries entered a new stage of development after the National Resistance Movement came to power in 1986, with bilateral co-operation expanding and mutual high-level exchanges increasing. Uganda backed China's stance for two times at the sessions of the UN Human Rights Commission in 1996 and 1997. In 2000, Uganda supported the bill put forward by China on the maintaining and observing of the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty in the UN.
Crop Commercialization and Nutrient intake among Farming Households in Uganda
(The African Economic Research Consortium, 2021) Kilimani, Nicholas; Buyinza, Faisal; Guloba, Madina
Agricultural commercialization is seen as a pathway towards rural economic transformation as it is expected to enhance a wide array of household welfare indicators. This study examines the channels through which household nutrient intake is influenced in the process of crop commercialization. This was investigated using LSMS-ISA survey data for Uganda using the control function econometric approach. The results show that commercialization affects nutrient intake via crop income. Another crucial finding was that while rural-based households registered higher nutritional gains from crop commercialization, they were less commercialized on average. The role of markets as a key factor in the agricultural commercialization process was confirmed; households that had access to produce markets are more commercialized and have better nutrient intake. While male-headed households were found to practice more commercialization, their households have less nutrient intake compared to their female headed counterparts.
Development Implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on employment prospects for Uganda’s youth in the Middle East
(2020) Nattabi, Aida K.; Mbowa, Swaibu; Guloba, Madina; Kasirye, Ibrahim
The brief examines the likely effects of COVID-19 on Uganda’s semi-skilled youth searching for employment opportunities in the Middle East. Ugandans employed as either semi-skilled or manual labourers in the Middle East increased from over 9,900 in 2010 to 21,000 in 2018. The main driver of labour externalization to the Middle East is the relatively high monthly wages offered for unskilled and semi-skilled jobs. Reports show that monthly remunerations range from $225 to $500 for domestic workers in Saudi Arabia; $350-$700 for a factory worker in Qatar, UAE and Saudi Arabia; and $350-$600 for persons in catering services in Qatar and UAE. Likewise, one could earn between $300- $900 as a security guard in both. Uganda’s economy benefited as remittances from the Middle East grew from $51.4 million in 2010 to $309.2 million in 2018; a contribution of 23 per cent of the $ 1.3 billion the country earned through remittances in 2018. COVID-19 pandemic challenges this source of remittances to the Ugandan economy. The expected drop in labour migration to the Middle East brings to fore the need to support growth in other sectors identified in Uganda’s agro-industrialization (AGI) agenda. Alternatives include domestic production of critical supplies for COVID-19 containment, such as masks and sanitizers; expedition of the expansion of the cotton and textile sector to bridge the employment gap for youth and women.
Fostering rural women nonfarm household enterprise financing through local groups
(Economic Policy Research Centre, 2017) Guloba, Madina; Ssewanyana, Sarah; Birabwa, Elizabeth
Rural women entrepreneurs in Uganda continue to face multiple challenges that impede their enterprise growth and expansion, despite pragmatic interventions from government and non-state actors to enhance entrepreneurship. Uganda’s female managed nonfarm household enterprises continue to be micro, informal and face bottlenecks to access high credit to grow their business as they do not have the necessary collateral that formal credit institutions demand. Hence, many resort to borrowing from locally managed community or village credit associations to start or grow their businesses and yet, these financing mechanisms are limited. The Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme (UWEP) should therefore ensure that the distribution of funds is equitable taking into consideration the heterogeneities across spatial areas, region, education level and size of business enterprise.
Gender and Taxation: Analysis of Personal Income Tax (PIT)
(Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC), 2009) Bategeka, Lawrence; Guloba, Madina; Kiiza, Julius
This paper examines the gender dimensions of personal income tax (PIT) in Uganda with an eye on the possible gender biases that may be embedded in the tax system. It further addresses the issue of Uganda’s achievement of substantive gender equality rather than formal equality as regards the impact of taxes from a gender perspective. This is in line with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). The paper critically examines Uganda’s tax laws that seem to have formal equality, treating all people as if they are the same and synonymous with equality of opportunity. Yet, substantive equality recognizes that people are not the same. Equal treatment may therefore not be equitable. Accordingly, the paper examines the extent to which Uganda’s tax laws and practices are, through affirmative action, geared to the achievement of substantive equality or the attainment of equal outcomes. We find that PIT paid by different household earning types increases gender inequality. We also find that the income tax system only worsens gender gaps and hardly is a useful tool that could be used to close the gender gaps. This is mainly because the tax rates are applied equally to both genders without due consideration of gender inequality and household composition that is rooted in the country’s social norms and history. Furthermore, we find that more women increasingly fall under taxable brackets in real terms because of the income tax brackets that are not indexed to inflation. The paper proposes how PIT could be reformed with a view to using taxation as a tool for the realization of substantive gender equality.
Government’s financing of social protection initiatives dismal
(Economic Policy Research Centre, 2017) Guloba, Madina; Ssewanyana, Sarah; Birabwa, Elizabeth
Vulnerabilities within the economy are many, and females are at a higher disadvantage. The need for multi-faced interventions from both state and non-state actors is essential in addressing various vulnerabilities within different social groups.While there are recognised efforts from government to protect its citizens, the limited coordination in financing priorities are not reflecting this. Such that despite expenditure allocations to domestic development in social sectors increasing, the finances allocated to Social Protection by government are still very low for the programmes to achieve social inclusiveness nationally.
Grants Vs Loans! What works best for young entrepreneurs?
(2015) Guloba, Madina; Ahaibwe, Gemma; Kasirye, Ibrahim; Aliro, Elizabeth Birabwa
Access to formal financial services remains limited in Uganda. Only 4 percent of the youth accessed credit and borrowed from formal banking institutions. As a result, youth are increasingly accessing microcredit to finance their business enterprises. However, several studies reviewed reveal that in-kind grants perform better than cash grants. In addition, impacts differ across gender with male youths registering more notable successes on business turnover than their female counterparts. Strict eligibility criteria, approval of business plans, family pressure, motivation, initial credit constraints and few initial assets were some of the contributing factors in driving gender differences of financial impacts.
The Impact of China-Africa Aid Relations: The Case of Uganda
(The African Economic Research Consortium, 2010) Guloba, Madina; Kilimani, Nicholas; Nabiddo, Winnie
China and Uganda have a long diplomatic history dating as far back as the post independence era. During the period 1962-1985, bilateral relations between the two countries remained steady in spite of the regime changes in Uganda. According to the information from the China Consulate in Uganda, development assistance from China to Uganda overtime has risen to the tune of US$4-5 million annually. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations the Government of China has continued to provide development assistance to Uganda in the form of interest-free loans and grants to a cumulative value of approximately US$80 million in 2003 although the bulk of China’s aid to Uganda is in the form of non-concessional loans.
Implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on employment prospects for Uganda’s youth in the Middle East
(Economic Policy Research Centre, 2020) Nattabi, Aida K.; Mbowa, Swaibu; Guloba, Madina; Kasirye, Ibrahim
The brief examines the likely effects of COVID-19 on Uganda’s semi-skilled youth searching for employment opportunities in the Middle East. Ugandans employed as either semi-skilled or manual labourers in the Middle East increased from over 9,900 in 2010 to 21,000 in 2018. The main driver of labour externalization to the Middle East is the relatively high monthly wages offered for unskilled and semi-skilled jobs. Reports show that monthly remunerations range from $225 to $500 for domestic workers in Saudi Arabia; $350-$700 for a factory worker in Qatar, UAE and Saudi Arabia; and $350-$600 for persons in catering services in Qatar and UAE. Likewise, one could earn between $300- $900 as a security guard in both. Uganda’s economy benefited as remittances from the Middle East grew from $51.4 million in 2010 to $309.2 million in 2018; a contribution of 23 per cent of the $ 1.3 billion the country earned through remittances in 2018. COVID-19 pandemic challenges this source of remittances to the Ugandan economy. The expected drop in labour migration to the Middle East brings to fore the need to support growth in other sectors identified in Uganda’s agro-industrialization (AGI) agenda. Alternatives include domestic production of critical supplies for COVID-19 containment, such as masks and sanitizers; expedition of the expansion of the cotton and textile sector to bridge the employment gap for youth and women.
Is Implementing Uganda’s Single Spine Agricultural Extension Reform Feasible?
(Economic Policy Research Centre, 2017) Barungi, Mildred; Adong, Annet; Guloba, Madina
Uganda has undertaken a number of reforms in extension service provision, ranging from a commodity-focused extension system in the colonial times to a farmer demand-driven extension system (National Agricultural Advisory Services-NAADS). Due to the challenges and unsatisfactory impacts associated with NAADS, in 2014 Cabinet approved MAAIF’s position to develop a more integrated, coordinated and harmonized public extension system—the Single Spine agricultural extension service delivery system. However, the feasibility of implementing the Single Spine reform can only be realised if challenges faced by predecessor agricultural extension systems are addressed immediately. This calls for increasing public financing for agricultural extension service delivery or exploring new financing options, recruiting more staff to fill the vacant technical positions, expediting the development of a framework for implementing the Single spine reform, and creating and maintaining good relations among institutions that contribute to delivering extension services to farmers.
Low literacy levels likely to impede rural women’s successbin business
(Economic Policy Research Centre, 2017) Guloba, Madina; Ssewanyana, Sarah; Birabwa, Elizabeth
Being literate is a prerequisite in business management and sustainability. While evidence shows that Uganda’s entrepreneurial potential is high globally, female entrepreneurs were still being presented with limited opportunities to expand their business and few tried to increase or independently manage their enterprises. Education levels for women especially in rural areas and among the youth is still low and hence most likely to miss out of government programmes that aim to uplift their livelihoods such as those targeting income enhancement amidst agricultural shortfalls. Programmes must offer mixed approaches in enterprise business chain and emphasis on adult literacy programmes along entrepreneurship is vital for rural business sustainability.
Skills mix for young entrepreneurs: The right way to go
(Economic Policy Research Centre, 2015) Guloba, Madina; Ahaibwe, Gemma; Kasirye, Ibrahim; Birabwa, Elizabeth
Provision of skills training has been identified by Government of Uganda as one of the major initiatives to be undertaken to make youth more enterprising while addressing the skills mismatch employers are grappling with. A review of evidence on skills provision shows that a combination of skills training yield higher impacts on labour market outcomes and training in one is not sufficient. In addition, training targeted at every stage of entrepreneurial development (mind-set, incubation, start-up, growth and expansion) are vital in sustaining businesses venture over the long-term with emphasis on peer-to-peer mentoring.
Trade opportunities from the EU-ACP EPAs: Prospects for the flower sub-sector in Uganda
(Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC), 2011) Guloba, Madina; Ogwal, Francis
With the signing of the EU-ACP Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) in 2009, the Government of Uganda as a member of the ACP, should endeavour to re-strategize itself to benefit from the opportunities such trading blocks create through increased trade. While Uganda ratified the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), in 1993 considerable efforts need to be put into its implementation. Trade is likely to increase with EPAs in place and this will lead to biodiversity conservation concerns amidst the need for increased production. Biodiversity concerns have been of little interest in relation to trade, thus, in here, we focus on cut flower production and suggest some trade options that are beneficial while mitigating biodiversity loss. In addition, we propose policies that can lead to (actionable points) for cut flower farmers and policy makers.
Trade opportunities from the EU-ACP EPAs: Prospects for the Fresh Fruits and Vegetables subsector in Uganda
(Economic Policy Research Centre, 2011) Guloba, Madina; Ogwal, Francis
With the signing of the EU-ACP Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) in January 2009, Uganda as a member of the ACP, should endeavour to re-strategize itself to benefit from the opportunities such trading blocks create through increased trade. Trade is likely to increase with EPA in place and this is likely to lead to biodiversity conservation challenges amidst the need for increased production. Uganda signed and ratified the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) on 12th June 1992 and 8th September 1993 respectively. The objectives of CBD are the conservation of biodiversity; sustainable use of bio diversity; and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources. Although Government has made significant progress in achieving these objectives, balancing trade and biodiversity under EPA presents challenges. In this brief we focus on fresh fruits and vegetables production and suggest some trade options that would be beneficial under EPA and also ways on how to mitigate biodiversity loss. In addition, some key policy interventions that can lead to sustainable trade in fresh fruits and vegetables are recommended.
Uganda’s Tea Export Strategy Lies in Increasing Output and Improving Quality
(Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC), 2014) Lakuma, Corti Paul; Munyambonera, Ezra; Guloba, Madina
Tea is an important export commodity for Uganda. Increasing its output and quality remains at the heart of increasing Uganda’s tea export competitiveness. However, increased export competitiveness hasn’t been achieved due to a number of reasons, some of which are cost of production, limited research, inadequate processing facilities, barriers to land acquisition and poor farmer organization. This is especially true with smallholder farmers who do not have access to some of the resources that estates farmers do. A study by Munyambonera et. al. (2014)1 using data from the International Tea Committee (2012) provide lessons to Uganda on how Kenya increased its export value and volume through increasing of output and improving of quality.
Why Uganda needs a Comprehensive Tea Policy and a Tea Authority
(2014) Lakuma, Corti Paul; Munyambonera, Ezra; Guloba, Madina
Investments on Ugandan smallholders and estates to improve output, productivity and quality depends on an environment that favours a broad range of interlinked policy measures. These policy measures include land reforms, tea research and extension services, marketing and promotion, and resource mobilization and utilization. The ability of Uganda to address the above enumerated policy measures is impeded by inconsistencies. The inconsistencies arise because of existence of multiple initiatives which create uncertainty among stake holders. A study by Munyambonera et. al (2014)1 using data from the International Tea Committee (2012) draws lessons for Uganda from the approach Kenya used to coordinate the multiple interventions, ministries, departments and agencies in the tea sector-a comprehensive tea policy and a tea authority.
Women participation in political processes in Uganda: Evidence from National Survey
(Economic Policy Research Centre, 2019) Guloba, Madina
Women continue to shy away from political and authoritative positions despite well-grounded laws in place. Low participation of women in positions of power and influence continues to threaten the long-term attainment of the gender equality as they are taken advantage of in work places, homes and communities. Women are seen to participate in political leadership only in positions that are standing such the Women District representative , beyond which, women disappear as observed from the low membership in Parliament for directly elected constituency positons. This points to the need for more awareness and support of women causes in Uganda. This Policy Brief examines the status of women participation in political and leadership positions, trends, the likely impact and possible policy responses using data from the 2017 Uganda National Governance Peace and Security Survey Report.

Browsing by Author "Guloba, Madina"

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