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Paper short abstract:

The current study explores and explains how the implementation process of the Ugandan local content policy is being understood and translated into outputs by top-down and bottom-up actors.

Paper long abstract:

Oil-producing countries implement local content policies to encourage citizens participation in the emerging wealth. Uganda began implementing its own policy in 2008. Whereas several scholarly studies have explained their (in)effectiveness, none has been conducted into how the Ugandan policy is being successfully implemented. To address this lacuna, this study develops Rhodes' (2006) policy network theory to explore and explain how the implementation process of the Ugandan policy is being understood and translated into outputs by top-down and bottom-up actors. We used semi-structured interview techniques to gather primary data from 57 key informants which were complemented by analysis of contents of oil and gas policy documents and reports. The findings show different layers of policy interactions which for analytical purposes, we categorize into discursive - understandings and interpretations of the policy; power networks - spheres of interests and influences; operational networks - approaches and interventions. Their analysis reveals how the contexts of these relations and the manner in which their contradictions are addressed directly contribute to the achievement of the policy objective though in a minimal way. We conclude by arguing for sufficient attention to be paid to how the implementation process is being understood and translated into top-down and bottom-up activities.