Publications

This study aimed at understanding the influence of policy frameworks on climate change
adaptation in Uganda. It combined literature review on existing natural resource management
policies, focus group discussions with farming communities and interviews with key
informants across various policy implementation levels. Findings reveal that even when
farmers are exposed to appropriate adaptation practices, adoption is still constrained by
limited enforcement of policies and regulations. Various reasons constrain enforcement;
policies are formulated through top–down approaches, NGOs and local governments are
minimally involved while local communities are largely excluded. There is either lack of or
existence of non-functional implementation structures prescribed by the policies. Coupled
with unclear roles among actors, weak links between different administration levels, limited
human and financial resources and political interference, the ability of smallholders to adopt
climate-smart agriculture (CSA) is thus constrained. Due to lack of knowledge of what the
policies provide for, smallholders are not able to demand their rights. There is need for more
focused follow-up research on specific issues raised in this report.