GRPI is supporting a multi-stakeholder committee to work through the development of a national plant genetic resources policy, with a key element being the implementation of the International Treaty (ITPGRFA, in the context of FAO). Both the national policy and the means by which Uganda implements the ITPGRFA will have important potential repercussions for the sub-region, as no other country in the region has yet implemented the Treaty.

The strategic importance of Uganda as a case study is reinforced by the fact that this country has a strong link with EAPGREN, implemented under the framework of ASARECA. Activities of the Ugandan Task Force are being coordinated by NARO, the National Agricultural Research Organisation. Progress, outputs and experiences generated during the process are being reported to the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), and 'linked' to the ongoing activities of EAPGREN, ASARECA and the GRPI-EA component to provide feedback to other member countries.

So far, four consultation workshops have been conducted at district level in Uganda aiming at gathering the views of stakeholders for the implementation of the ITPGRFA. In addition, a first multi-stakeholder workshop was held in Kampala in November 2005 to consider a first draft of the national policy. The task force is currently working on the incorporation of stakeholders' views prior to the circulation of the next version of the policy among the relevant ministries and sectors, to seek for additional contributions. A second consultation workshop is planned for early 2006 to produce the final text of the policy.