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About Us
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About (IPRA)
Who We Are
The Institute of Policy Research and Analysis (IPRA), established in 2001, is an independent, not-for-profit research institute dedicated to the advancement of research-based knowledge and applied policy analysis, and training, with a particular emphasis on African countries and on the poorer groups in those countries. The Institute’s work falls into three distinct fields: research for evidence-based policy making; training and capacity building; and advisory services.
The Institute made its earliest mark in Uganda, producing series of influential research and analysis on a range of policy issues from food security to poverty, trade, investment and tax policies.
Our Services
Our Core Values
- We are committed to ensuring independence of our thinking, its rigour and creativity. As a nonpartisan organization and a non-recipient of government funding, we maintain a rigorous, scientific approach to research, and a commitment to objective advice and analysis, accuracy and timely independent, well informed contribution to public debate.
- We are committed to excellence in all we do and in all we are. Quality is at the core of everything we do at IPRA. We are committed to providing our clients and partners, and the general public with an excellent quality of service in a professional manner. Our reputation is based on providing objective advice and analysis, accuracy, precision and a commitment to high quality.
- We are committed to service with professional integrity and to learning from others in humility. We listen; we are willing to change in response to constructive criticism and the changing needs of those we serve. We continue to pursue improvement in all that we do by encouraging creativity and innovation.
- We are committed to accountability…to our supporters, partners and the public for the use of our time and resources. We are accountable to our supporters and partners, being honest, trustworthy and transparent in all we do. We are committed to making what we do consistent with what we say.
- We are committed to collaboration. Collaboration is a core competence for our staff. It helps us to build consensus and global network to find sustainable solutions to policy challenges.
- We are committed to data security. We understand the importance of protecting sensitive information. We work to ensure that all information and data shared with us is handled with the utmost care and confidentiality.
Our Impact
IPRA has come a long way since its inception in 2001. The Institute’s studies have helped provide the intellectual foundation for some of the major initiatives such as cross border initiatives in East Africa, food security initiatives in the Greater Horn of Africa, and tax reforms in Uganda.
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Professionals trained
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Conducted trainings in over 15 countries
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Years of global experience
Our History
The Institute of Policy Research and Analysis traces its beginnings to 1999, when a group of leading reformers (among them retired university professors working then for international organisations) founded the Development Policy Research Institute (DEPRI), the first private organization devoted to analysing public policy issues at the national level. Back then, Uganda was undergoing significant socioeconomic reforms, and the need for evidence-based knowledge and applied policy analysis was overwhelming. Charged with implementing the new Poverty Eradication Action Plan (PEAP), the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MFPED) sought to create a strategic alliance with non-state actors, including NGOs and experts who would conduct wide consultation with the communities across the country to provide a better understanding of the national priorities and generate evidence to inform the PEAP process.
There was no true independent think-tank at the time, no single source of independent cutting-edge empirical analysis, insights and evidence that would allow informed public decision making. Decades of civil strife and systematic underinvestment in research eroded Uganda’s internal capacity to generate sound advice for public policy and the ability to use this knowledge for policymaking. That seemed like an obvious and important deficiency for what is after all a kin to The Economist’s description of being part of “the hopeless continent”.
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1 May, 2000
On 1 May, 2000, the Institute opened up an office in Kampala.
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16 November, 2001
On 16 November, 2001 the Institute attained NGO status under the Non-Governmental Organisations Registration Statute, 1989, and was incorporated as a company limited by guarantee
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6 February 2002
on 6 February 2002(Certificate No. 51946).With a humble beginning of one full-time staff who doubled as an administrative and research staff, and two volunteers, an old-school Pentium 3 computer, a keyboard, a monitor and a printer), the Institute made its earliest mark in Uganda, producing series of influential research and analysis on a range of policy issues from food security to poverty, trade, investment and tax policies.
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From 2002 till date
A lot has changed since 2000. One thing has not changed at all. The Institute remains devoted to independent, in-depth research that leads to pragmatic and innovative solutions to problems facing African society. We enter our twenty first year with pride as Africa’s leading centre of research in the field of international trade and public finance and with enduring gratitude for our strong relationships with our partners and clients.
We are a leading independent, nonpartisan research organization dedicated to advancing evidence-based policy solutions for sustainable economic development in Africa.
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