The Centre for Policy Analysis (CEPA), an independent public policy research and governance think tank in Uganda, has issued a call for public contributors to participate in its growing knowledge and policy platforms. Through a newly released Terms of Reference (ToR), the organisation is inviting scholars, researchers, policy practitioners, civil society actors, journalists, students, public officials, and engaged citizens to contribute to evidence-based discussions on governance, democracy, public policy, and development.

The initiative forms part of CEPA’s broader mission to strengthen informed public discourse, democratic participation, accountable governance, and citizen engagement across Uganda. By opening its platforms to a diverse range of contributors, the organisation seeks to expand access to knowledge while promoting constructive dialogue on issues of national and regional importance.

Strengthening Evidence-Based Public Policy Discussions

According to CEPA, the public contribution framework is designed to establish clear standards for quality, professionalism, ethics, and editorial review while encouraging meaningful participation in public policy conversations.

Contributions submitted to CEPA are expected to support several objectives, including:

Advancing informed debate on governance, democracy, accountability, and human rights.
Generating evidence-based analysis and practical policy recommendations.
Enhancing public understanding of governance institutions and policy processes.
Promoting citizen participation in democratic and development processes.
Encouraging innovative solutions to socio-economic and governance challenges.
Supporting knowledge generation on emerging national, regional, and global issues.
Strengthening CEPA’s position as a leading platform for policy dialogue and research dissemination.

The organisation emphasises that all contributions should contribute positively to public understanding and policy development while maintaining high standards of intellectual rigor and public accountability.

Wide Range of Thematic Areas Open for Contributions

CEPA welcomes submissions across a broad spectrum of governance, development, and public affairs topics. The thematic priority areas reflect some of the most pressing issues facing Uganda and the wider region.

Parliamentary Democracy and Legislative Affairs

Contributors may submit analyses and commentary on:

Parliamentary performance
Legislative reforms
Parliamentary oversight
Citizen representation
Political party governance
Electoral systems and reforms

Governance and Accountability

Topics under this category include:

Public sector governance
Transparency initiatives
Anti-corruption efforts
Public administration reforms
Decentralisation
Open government and access to information

Public Finance and Economic Governance

CEPA is also seeking contributions focused on:

National budgets
Public expenditure management
Taxation policies
Domestic revenue mobilisation
Debt management
Public procurement
Fiscal governance

Human Rights, Justice and Inclusion

Priority issues include:

Constitutionalism
Rule of law
Human rights protection
Gender equality
Youth participation
Civic freedoms
Access to justice

Sustainable Development and Public Policy

The organisation encourages submissions addressing:

Education policy
Health systems
Social protection
Climate change
Environmental governance
Agriculture and food security
Energy policy
Infrastructure development
Digital governance

Regional and Global Affairs

Contributors may also explore:

Regional integration
Foreign policy
International development cooperation
Comparative governance experiences
Global governance trends

Diverse Contributors Encouraged to Apply

CEPA has adopted an inclusive approach to participation, opening opportunities to a wide range of professionals and citizens.

Eligible contributors include:

Academics and researchers
Policy analysts
Governance practitioners
Civil society actors
Journalists and media professionals
Lawyers and legal scholars
Development practitioners
Students and emerging researchers
Public officials and former public servants
Interested citizens with relevant expertise, lived experience, or demonstrated interest in governance and public policy

Selection of contributors will be guided by several factors, including subject matter expertise, quality of analysis, commitment to evidence-based discourse, professional integrity, and alignment with CEPA’s thematic priorities.

Multiple Formats Accepted

To encourage diverse perspectives and writing styles, CEPA accepts a variety of contribution formats.

These include:

Opinion articles (700–1,500 words)
Policy briefs (1,500–3,000 words)
Research notes (1,000–2,500 words)
Feature analyses (1,200–2,500 words)
Discussion papers
Governance commentaries
Explainers and issue briefs
Case studies
Research papers
Interviews and expert reflections
Blog articles
Policy memos
Reflective essays

This flexibility allows contributors to share insights in formats that best suit their expertise and intended audience.

Editorial Standards and Ethical Requirements

CEPA has outlined clear editorial standards to ensure all published content meets professional and ethical expectations.

Submissions must:

Be original and previously unpublished.
Be supported by credible evidence and verifiable sources.
Present clear and balanced arguments.
Remain accessible to technical and non-technical audiences.
Distinguish opinion from factual reporting.
Avoid misinformation, hate speech, defamatory content, and partisan political mobilisation.

Contributors are encouraged to include references, citations, and supporting evidence where appropriate.

In addition, authors must disclose potential conflicts of interest, respect intellectual property rights, avoid plagiarism, and comply with Ugandan laws and internationally recognised ethical standards.

Editorial Review and Publication Process

All submissions will undergo a comprehensive editorial review process before publication.

The review will assess:

Relevance
Accuracy
Analytical quality
Clarity and readability
Ethical compliance
Alignment with CEPA’s mission and values

Editors may request revisions where necessary, and final publication decisions will remain at the discretion of the CEPA Editorial Committee.

Intellectual Property and Submission Guidelines

Authors will retain copyright ownership of their work. However, by submitting content, contributors grant CEPA a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to publish, reproduce, archive, distribute, and promote the material across its platforms with full attribution.

Interested contributors are required to submit:

A manuscript or article
A short author biography (50–100 words)
Institutional affiliation, where applicable
Contact information
A declaration of originality and conflict of interest

Submissions should be sent to CEPA’s editorial team using the subject line format: “Public Contribution Submission – [Type of Contribution] – [Author Name].”

Expanding Public Participation in Policy Development

Through this initiative, CEPA aims to create a vibrant and inclusive knowledge ecosystem that supports democratic engagement, policy innovation, and informed decision-making in Uganda. By welcoming contributions from diverse voices and sectors, the organisation seeks to strengthen public participation in governance while fostering meaningful dialogue on the country’s most pressing policy challenges.

VIEW THE ToR HERE

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.