Institute of Asset Management Uganda Chapter to streamline operations

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Experts observe that its critical for Uganda to advance asset management professionalism to meet the huge demand and potential that the country offers with multiple infrastructural projects.

According to Eng. Horace Muhamya, the Founding President of Institute of Asset Management Uganda Chapter, asset management should look beyond just looking after the available property but instead devising strategies to keep them sustainable.

Eng. Muhamya was speaking on Monday (October 20) at Silver Springs Hotel in Bugolobi ahead of the Institute of Asset Management Uganda Chapter conference where they will officially unveil the new institute.

“Uganda is making history as the first African country to establish a national chapter of the Institute of Asset Management (IAM), the world’s leading professional body for advancing excellence in the management of physical assets across their life cycle. We shall launch during our inaugural conference slated for 6th and 7th November 2025,” Muhamya noted.

He explained that whereas the Institute of Asset Management (the IAM) is the international professional body for asset management professionals, the Uganda chapter will help local streamline affairs.

He added that IAM develops asset management knowledge and best practices and generates awareness of the benefits of the asset management discipline for individuals, organizations and wider society.

“The establishment of the IAM Uganda Chapter marks a transformative step toward professionalizing asset management in Uganda and the region. The Chapter will serve as a platform for knowledge sharing, competency development, certification pathways, and multisector collaboration among engineers, managers, policymakers, academia, and industry leaders.  This Chapter marks a new era in how Uganda plans, manages, and sustains its infrastructure,” Muhamya, Founding President of IAM Uganda Chapter stressed.

Meanwhile Chris Kakyo Kaganda, the IAM Board member highlighted how the launch will also support aligned operations of government and private sector to help protect the current established infrastructure.

“Each year the government spends on huge projects but no one is looking at how to protect these assets for a longer time. While we have a few professionals, the new institute will among other things ensure that we train and certify our members locally and across the region, the goal is to grow the number of professionals,” Kaganda said.

Merian Ahabwe, the National Content Manager at East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) commended the team adding that EACOP as a strategic infrastructure project developed to transport Uganda’s crude oil to international markets now at over 70% offers huge opportunities.

“EACOP infrastructure projects are many and the question is who will sustainably manage them upon completion. We are partnering with IAM through Cohesive Solutions, a global leader in digital engineering and enterprise asset management,” Ahabwe explained.

The launch programme will feature an official launch of the Chapter on Day 1, and a high-level workshop and conference on Day 2 under the theme: “Advancing Professional Asset Management to Drive Sustainable Growth and Development.”

This will feature high-level and international speakers, panel discussions, case studies, and networking sessions, addressing areas such as: Advancing Professional Asset Management for Sustainable Development, Embedding Global Standards and Frameworks, Data Driven Decision Making and Digital Transformation Culture, Leadership, and Change Management Building Capacity and Professional Development.   

Over 300 delegates are expected to attend including participants from government, utilities, private sector, academia, local governments, development partners, and professional bodies.