International Journal of Asian Social Science 2016, Vol. 6(2): pp146-165
Although there is a high dependence on bananas for food and income, the banana subsector remains largely underdeveloped in Uganda. This study aims to assess the enabling environment in the banana subsector by ascertaining and examining the existing policy and legal frameworks for the development of the banana value chain in Uganda. A combination of survey, focus group discussions, key informant interviews and desk review data collection techniques were employed for the study. Analysis of the extant policy framework reveals that despite the absence of a specific policy for the banana subsector, there is a legal institutional framework in operation although only on a limited scale as the responsible institutions are weak. Adequate financing and human capital capacity development are required in order to empower the existing institutions towards promotion of the banana value chain. The paper concludes that a policy specifically geared towards the banana subsector is a prerequisite for a comprehensive strategic plan in the development of the Ugandan banana value chain.