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Stakeholder’s Planning Workshop for The Development of The Regulatory Impact Assessment (Ria) For the Sugar Sub-Sector

On 5th October 2023, EPRC organized a Stakeholder’s Planning Workshop for the Development of The Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) For the Sugar Sub-Sector.  It aimed to introduce stakeholders to the RIA process, gather input on issues, identify a technical working group, and refine the roadmap. The workshop featured presentations by EPRC and the Cabinet Secretariat, as well as group discussions on key concepts and stakeholders in the sugarcane value chain.

Session one, chaired by Mr. Ogwang, began with welcoming remarks and an introduction to the workshop's objectives. Florence Nakazi, a Research Fellow at EPRC, discussed the background, objectives, and expectations of the workshop, emphasizing the need to revisit the sugarcane sub-sector's governance structure. Dr. Sarah Ssewanyana, Executive Director, highlighted the importance of stakeholder involvement and timely completion of the Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) process, aiming to inform budgeting. The session provided an overview of the RIA process and its key goals.

Mr. Steven Tubijuka from MAAIF focused on four key areas within the sugarcane value chain during the second session, including production, market issues, value addition, and institutional arrangements, addressing challenges like farm power and land preparation. Mr. Kiiza David of MTIC discussed the economic importance and regulatory challenges of the sector. He highlighted the ongoing RIA process's significance in guiding policy renewal and sector regulation, expressing concerns about production levels and low yields.

Dr. Abubaker Moki discussed the Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) process, highlighting its expected outputs, objectives, and key terms. He emphasized a structured approach involving problem recognition, solution identification, and criteria-based evaluation to determine the best course of action. The logical framework and tools such as the problem tree were explained. The RIA process concludes with the selection of the best option and report preparation. Dr. Swaibu Mbowa defined the sugarcane value chain and byproducts, illustrating the roles of various actors in their production and utilization.

During the third session of the workshop, participants engaged in group discussions, each focusing on a different aspect of the sugarcane sub-sector. Group 1 covered production, Group 2 addressed processing, Group 3 explored value addition, and Group 4 discussed consumption. The presentations highlighted key stages, stakeholders, and cross-cutting issues in the sugarcane value chain. Some concerns were raised about defining processing and value addition, ensuring the inclusion of all relevant stakeholders, and addressing environmental and health-related issues. In the closing remarks, the Ministry of Finance expressed its commitment to supporting the ongoing regulatory impact assessment (RIA) process for the sugarcane sub-sector, in line with Uganda's economic growth strategy and import substitution agenda.

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