Engaging Stakeholders in Policy Discussions: A Legal Framework

Nabirye Amina Okwir

Faculty of Business and Management Kampala International University Uganda

ABSTRACT

In the context of rapid technological advancement and shifting governance landscapes, effective stakeholder engagement has emerged as a cornerstone of inclusive policy development. This paper examines the legal and institutional frameworks necessary for integrating diverse stakeholders into public policy discussions, especially concerning emerging technologies and public governance. Drawing from case studies and comparative analyses, the paper identifies best practices, typologies, and tools for engagement, highlighting the need for legitimacy, transparency, and accountability. Challenges in participation, ranging from socio-political imbalances to economic constraints, are analyzed through legal and practical lenses. The study emphasizes the significance of institutional design, public participation mechanisms, and evaluative methods in ensuring that stakeholder engagement is not merely symbolic but substantively influential. A new legal framework is proposed that categorizes participation modes, clarifies stakeholder roles, and suggests robust tools and techniques for meaningful policy dialogues.

Keywords: Stakeholder Engagement, Legal Framework, Public Participation, Deliberative Democracy, Policy Legitimacy, Governance, Emerging Technologies.

CITE AS: Nabirye Amina Okwir (2025). Engaging Stakeholders in Policy Discussions: A Legal Framework. IAA Journal of Arts and Humanities 12(1):126-132. https://doi.org/10.59298/IAAJAH/2025/121126132