The Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC) has signed two partnership agreements with the Microfinance Support Centre (MSC) and the Presidential CEO Forum (PCF). The agreements, signed on October 3 and October 17 respectively, will enable EPRC to carry out studies to inform upcoming initiatives by both institutions.
The MSC is a public agency incorporated in 2001 to offer affordable credit and business development services to SACCOs and other groups across the country while the PCF is a platform that links leaders of private to political leadership.
On signing with MSC, EPRC Executive Director Dr Sarah N. Ssewanyana said: “Our collaboration ensures that the research we conduct has real-life impact and provide critical insights from the grassroots level to [national level].”
Meanwhile, Mr. John Peter Mujuni, the MSC Executive Director, said: “We are delighted to partner with EPRC, leveraging their extensive research experience to influence policy decisions. This partnership will strengthen our mandate of transforming the livelihoods of the economically active poor, fostering sustainable development.” He added that, “EPRC is a partner with a good profile. We feel at home. We are aware that you have generated a lot of knowledge products, we read your research products, and the themes you focus on match with our goals.
As a result of the MOU, EPRC will conduct a study to ascertain whether SACCOs the MSC supports tend to lend at the recommended interest rate and how they cost their money. Further, the study will examine the effect of taxes on SACCO operations
Presidential CEO Forum
Ms. Irene Birungi Mugisha, the CEO, signed on behalf of the Presidential CEO Forum while Ssewanyana for EPRC.
Ssewanyana said the MOU with PCF was “very timely, and I think we need to position ourselves as a family such that we tap into the opportunities that [come with this].”
She added: “The government has committed itself to the private sector growth, but it has mainly been promises and the ‘How” is where it fails. We need to make sure we close the gap of the ‘How’.
When you look at the MOU, the ‘How’ is well elaborated that we’ll be able to do intentional collaboration through capacity strengthening and through learning experiences.”
“We need to able to propose solutions for the private sector and prevent constant lamentations. I see in this MOU the exposure of our team to the political and policy audience. We have been doing so much with the technical teams of [different government agencies].”
Ms. Mugisha said: “The signing of this MOU is significant to us. I believe that this is the beginning of a significant collaboration that brings together policymakers, private sector, and research institutions of which EPRC [belongs].”
As a result of the MOU, EPRC will work on three studies: the viability of electric mobility in Uganda, insurance scheme for Ugandans business, and the power sector after Umeme.
Dr Ssewanyana said: “The MOU will boost our visibility as well as that of the Forum. It will position us among the private sector players. Let our work be an enabler to the achievement of NDP IV. Let’s not watch and lament again that we have been unable to achieve much with the NDP IV in future.”
