Trade, informality and the policy process in Uganda, IPRA Working Paper 28

This paper revisits the theoretical literature on the policy process and examines how it has informed recent trade policy development in Uganda. Drawing from in-depth interviews with120 actors from government and non-government agencies and institutions working on trade related issues, the paper maps out the entry points for different institutions, including women-ownedorganisations in the policy processes; and examines whether institutions outside government matter for trade policy in Uganda. The findings underscore significant attempts to involve several stakeholders in the policy processes, but finds that their chance to influence policies is limited. Political interests, and the country’s commitments to international agreements, determine trade policy decisions.