APPROACHES TO REGULATORY AND ADMINISTRATIVE REFORM Regulatory Impact Assessments: Case study from Uganda

Presentation outline What is an RIA? Why is RIA important for Uganda? Approaches to RIA Institutionalization in Uganda. Lessons learnt along the way.

What is an RIA? Analysis of likely benefits and costs associated with the introduction of new policy. A RIA ensures that officials engaged in policy development have a shared understanding & appreciation what they are doing, why they are doing it and the likely consequences.

What is a RIA? (cont’d) A RIA helps us Think through the likely impacts including economic, social and environmental consequences. Identify and weigh up alternative option for achieving a policy goal. Ensure that consultation efforts are adequate & well targeted.

What is a RIA? (cont’d) A RIA helps us Identify whether likely benefits outweigh likely costs. Assess distribution of impacts. Identify likely compliance costs and other implementation consequences.

Importance of RIA for Uganda GoU Development framework sets ambitious growth targets including accelerated private sector investment. Achieving growth targets assumes a radically improved regulatory environment. Institutionalizing RBP/RIA in policy and law making key to this effort.

Approaches to RIA Public awareness and education. Enhanced role for the Cabinet Secretariat. Support from key ministries. Capacity building in RIA. RIA Roll out strategy across GoU. Embedding RIA in the Uganda Civil Service.

Lessons learnt Slow uptake of policy reforms by GoU. Need for formal Cabinet endorsement. Capacity of Cabinet Secretariat limited. Capacity building in RIA.