MAKERERE UNIVERSITY BUSINESS SCHOOL

FACULTY OF ECONOMICS, ENERGY & MANAGEMENT SCIENCE

DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS
SEMESTER ONE ACADEMIC YEAR 2022/23

COURSE OUTLINE

COURSE NAME: UGANDAN ECONOMY

PROGRAMME: Bachelor of Business Administration and BPSCM
YEAR OF STUDY: THREE Semester: ONE
COURSE CODE: FIN 3226

Facilitators:
1. Dr. Turyahikayo Willy
email: wturyahikayo@mubs.ac.ug Tel: 0772 957 295, 0701 320
231
2. Mr. Darious Mugabe
3. Mr. Ssemanda A
4. Ms. Muyinda Bridgette

1.0 Course Brief

This course introduces students to the evolving structure and performance of Uganda’s
economy. It gives the students an understanding of economic history and the structure of
the Ugandan economy, economic policy framework, and the role private sector plays in
the economy. It also delineates the business and investment opportunities available in the
Ugandan economy and the challenges to businesses, investments and the economy as a
whole. Thus the course will largely dwell on enhancing the practical dimensions learnt in
microeconomics and macroeconomics.

2.0 Course Objective

The course is intended to improve the students’ understanding of the sources, nature, and
performance of the Uganda economy, the policy framework, institutions, opportunities
and constraints to the country’s business environment and development process. At the
end of the course, students should have a clear understanding of Uganda’s economic
policy dynamics and performance, current and potential investment opportunities, and
how to circumvent the challenges of doing businesses in poor developing economy.
Students will also be able to appreciate and understand the economic policy framework of
Uganda and how to take advantage of this framework for business opportunities.

MUBS Vision: "The benchmark for Business and Management Education, Research and
Training in the region."
MUBS Mission: “To enable the future of clients through creation and provision of knowledge."
 3.0 Mode of delivery
A variety of delivery methods will be used comprising lectures (both physical and online), in-
class group discussions, and take-home assignments.

4.0 Course Assessment

 Two coursework assessments 30%
 Final Examination 70%
 Total 100%

Please note that students must not afford to miss the coursework tests as they are part of
final grades for not only this course but also the entire degree programme. All deadlines
for submission of assignments must be met unless prior permission essentially on medical
or compassionate grounds is obtained from Course instructors.

5.0 Reading List

• The Republic of Uganda (2018), Background to the Budget 2021/22 Fiscal Year:
“Industrialisation for Job Creation and Shared Prosperity”, Ministry of Finance,
Planning and Economic Development. June 2021.

• The Republic of Uganda (2015), “National Development Plans (2010/11-2014/15;

2019/20, 2015/16 – 2019/20; 2020/21-2024/25 A Transformed Ugandan Society from
a Peasant to a Modern and Prosperous Country within 30 years,”

• The Republic of Uganda (2013), Uganda Vision 2040, National Planning Authority.
April 2013.

• Websites: www.bou.or.ug (for monetary policy updates & financial performance)

www.finance.go.ug (for fiscal policy updates)

www.ubos.org (for statistics & macroeconomic performance)

www.use.or.ug (for all information about Uganda’s public limited

companies (plcs)

www.worldbank.org/en/country/uganda (for statistical benchmarks)

• Kabiru T. I. (2008). The Ugandan Economy: Structure and pattern of
Development

MUBS Vision: "The benchmark for Business and Management Education, Research and
Training in the region."
MUBS Mission: “To enable the future of clients through creation and provision of knowledge."
 Note: Other reading materials will be provided and/or recommended from time to time
during lectures

6.0 Course Content

Topic Facilitator
Topic Week Content & Reading Material
No.
 Evolution, nature & performance of
Uganda’s economy: From pre-colonial
to present.
 Theoretical perspectives on economic
growth and development: What causes
economic growth and development?
1, 2 &  Uganda’s macroeconomic indicators:
6.1 Introduction Inflation rate, Interest rates & credit
3
conditions, Exchange rates and GDP
growth rates

Reading Material
 Students Reader One
 Background to the Budget 2021/2022
 Sectoral composition of Uganda’s
economy
 Agriculture sector
 Industrial sector
Structure &  Services sector
Performance of  Structural transformation of Uganda’s
6.2 4&5 economy
Uganda’s
Economy  Uganda’s Current Development Strategy
Reading Material
1. Students Reader Two
2. Background to the Budget 2021/2022

First Coursework

6.3 Poverty 6,7 & 8  Overview of poverty theories, patterns

Reduction and dimensions
Strategies  From MDGs to SDGs

MUBS Vision: "The benchmark for Business and Management Education, Research and
Training in the region."
MUBS Mission: “To enable the future of clients through creation and provision of knowledge."
  The Vision 2040 and National
Development Plans
(NDPI, NDPII and NDPIII) and poverty
reduction
 Assessment of anti-poverty programs in
Uganda (1996 to date)
Reading Material
1. Background to the Budget 2021/2022
2. Vision 2040
3. UNDP & NGO Forum (Localizing SDGs
Report)

Structure of Uganda’s BOP

Uganda’s trade policy

Export performance – structure,
composition, direction, and dynamics of
exports
 Potential new products and market
Uganda’s opportunities
6.4 9&10  Constraints to export/trade growth
External Sector
 Import trade performance – dynamics &
structure
 Trends in the trade balance
Reading Material
1. Background to the Budget 2021/2022,
22/23. Vision 2040

Second Coursework

 Uganda’s fiscal and monetary policies

 Investment policy
Economic  The liberalisation and privatisation
Policy process in Uganda
 Financial reforms in Uganda; 1990 to
6.5 & 11 date
 Assessment of reforms (Market vs.
Policy Reforms Business reforms)
in Uganda Reading Material
1. Students Reader Two
2. Kuteesa et al (2010)

MUBS Vision: "The benchmark for Business and Management Education, Research and
Training in the region."
MUBS Mission: “To enable the future of clients through creation and provision of knowledge."
 ▪ Regional economic integration – forms
and stages, trade creation and trade
diversion, EAC Common Market, and
other blocs (COMESA, SADC,
ECOWAS)
Ugandan
▪ Regional integration & poverty reduction
6.6 Economy in the 12&13
Other economic partnerships and
Global Context relationships – AGOA, ACP-EU,
AfCFTA
Reading Material
1. Background to the Budget 2021/2022,
22/23, vision 2040

MUBS Vision: "The benchmark for Business and Management Education, Research and
Training in the region."
MUBS Mission: “To enable the future of clients through creation and provision of knowledge."