Innovation Systems and Development The Journey of a Beleaguered Nile Perch Fishery in Uganda Maastricht Economic and social Research and training centre on Innovation and Technology © Copyright Rose Kiggundu, Maastricht 2006 ISBN-13: 978-90-5278-580-6 ISBN-10: 90 5278-580-5 Productie: Datawyse / Universitaire Pers Maastricht Innovation Systems and Development The Journey of a Beleaguered Nile Perch Fishery in Uganda PROEFSCHRIFT ter verkrijging van de graad van doctor aan de Universiteit Maastricht, op gezag van de Rector Magnificus, Prof.mr G.P.M.F. Mols, volgens het besluit van het College van Decanen in het openbaar te verdedigen op donderdag 26 oktober 2006 om 12.00 uur door Rose Kiggundu UMP UNIVERSITAIRE PERS MAASTRICHT Promotor Prof. dr. Lynn K. Mytelka Co-promotor Prof. dr. Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka Beoordelingscommissie Prof. dr. Robin Cowan (voorzitter) Prof. dr. ir. Wiebe Bijker Prof. Joanna Chataway, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, UK Acknowledgement When I started this research and learning journey six years ago, I thought I was going to write some kind of report like I always did in my past working life with banks, non- government organizations and donor agencies. A couple of years and mentoring exer- cises later, not only did I find that the world of academia had a completely different set of principles defining its values and character but also that a dissertation had its own life. My children, family and I chose to adapt our lives to the many demands of this dissertation. The path was far from easy but we were all determined to keep going and I must say we enjoyed the rollercoaster ride. The list of people that made this undertaking possible is very long and it is impossible to acknowledge and express my gratitude to each of these people by name. Some helped by constantly praying for me. Others opened their doors when I knocked to ask for data and information. Some wrote me messages just to say they were thinking of me and wishing me well. Others arranged visas, sent documents and reminders of deadlines while others never tired of my endless requests for additional information. I am very grateful to the many people that assisted and I will now mention only a few names just to show the broad range of support underlying this work.. First, my deepest words of gratitude go to a woman who held my hand at a critical moment of my journey and has since become a dear friend, mentor and mother. Lynn K. Mytelka introduced me to the world of technology and development and agreed to be my promoter. She taught me how to analyse and write academic papers. She set the bar very high and linked me to many people in her networks. She always managed to prepare detailed comments on my drafts and in fact walked the entire journey of this thesis with me. I want to thank her for her confidence in me and untiring support. Second, I would like to extend my deep appreciation for the kindness and support provided by Banji and his family. Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka was not only my supervi- sor but also a great friend. He read and guided my work and provided useful com- ments. By enabling me to work as an assistant on some of his projects, he helped me to acquire wider and deeper knowledge on the subject of innovation. Professors Robin Cowan, Wiebe de Bijker and Jo Chataway examined my thesis and I would like to thank them for their effort and support. Dr. Henny Romijn at the University of Eind- hoven and Dr. Machiko Nissanke at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London were initially identified as possible co-supervisors. They gave me excellent guidance, attended to me when I visited and gave me vital papers that eventually shaped and influenced the direction of my work.. Dr. Joy Clancy at the University of Twente examined my research proposal and initial chap- ters and I would like to thank her for her effort. Dr. Meine Pieter van Dijk at Erasmus University kindly shared an early draft of his influential publication on innovation and small enterprise in developing countries. Prof. Hubert Schmitz at the Institute of De- velopment Studies, University of Sussex, UK, Dr. Henry Sandee at the Vrije Uiversity in Amsterdam, Dr. Dorothy McCormick at the University of Nairobi, Kenya, Dr. v Micheline Goedhuys at Leuven University in Belgium and researcher at UNU MERIT, Dr. Kaushalesh Lal and Dr. Louis Kasekende, a Deputy Governor at the Bank of Uganda and later, a Director at The World Bank in Washington D.C, served as readers of different chapters of my draft thesis and provided extremely helpful comments. Mr. Andy Manning provided editorial input. The RPED office and particu- larly Manju Shah at The World Bank in Washington D.C. shared The Bank’s 2002 RPED Uganda dataset and let me use it as part of my PhD studies. I am highly in- debted to all. The United Nations University, Institute for New Technologies (now part of the UNU MERIT) gave me a two year research grant. It also provided the supplies and office infrastructure that enabled me to work on this dissertation. My late professor, Charles Cooper is the one who encouraged me to join the PhD programme in the first place and together with Professor Luc Soete at MERIT, made it possible for the process to get started. I would like to register my deep appreciation for their efforts. Special thanks go to the old UNU INTECH crew for facilitating the journey in various ways. Prof. Rajah Rasiah and Dr. Andy Hall were always inspirational. I learned a lot from them and will always be grateful for their efforts to connect me to their networks at The World Bank. We also shared very many light and fun moments together includ- ing badminton games, meals and drinks that gave me renewed strength and vigour to continue in my pursuit. Andy Hall, Wangu Mwangi, Ann Kelledy and Marion Motari were always willing to help where they could and their excellent company made those Friday nights as good and memorable as they could get. My friend Jane Williams al- ways pushed and reminded me to deliver the goods. I occasionally had inspirational chats with Yvonne de Groot and Jacqueline van Kesteren and both ladies handled some of my business and messages whenever I was traveling. Raeleen Waasdorp (Rae) was very helpful in a number of ways. Because I habitually carried many heavy bags around, Yvonne even tolerated my continuous difficulty to open the automated front door. Ad Notten provided excellent and untiring library support. On many occa- sions, Marc Vleugels went an extra mile to facilitate my visa renewal processes be- sides responding to my financial requests in a very compassionate and prompt man- ner. Mourik Jan Heupink, the computer assistant always facilitated several things that enabled me to work from remote locations. Eveline in de Braek kept me on my toes so the administrative process of graduating would not slip. Martin Reed, Monique Raedts and others all assisted in many ways. To you all, I say thank you. Geoffrey Gachino, a fellow student and friend spent many cold evenings teaching me the A’s to Z’s of the mathematical techniques employed in the study of technical change. Samia Nour, Branca, Minh Dinh, Marion Motari, Bertha Vallejo, Fernando Santiago all made our student discussions and coffee breaks enjoyable. Daniel Dala- houn sacrificed his precious time to teach me French. Many colleagues from MERIT provided comments during seminars and I would like to acknowledge their contribu- tion. Corien Gijsbers and Silvana de Sanctis were instrumental in many ways and I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to each of them. Back in Uganda, I would like to express my profound gratitude to Mr. Nsimbe-Bulega and to the entire management and staff of the Department for Fisheries Resources (DFR) for cooperating in all matters related to this study. My deepest appreciation goes to Mr. Ignatius Odongo and Ms. Rosette Birungi who were extremely patient and helpful during the difficult task of assembling data and information. Mr. Mukalazi vi Francis offered tremendous help and as a friend, went the extra mile to assist with fieldwork. I am also thankful to all of the other officers at the DFR who assisted in different ways. I am indebted to Dr. John Okidi, director of the Economic Policy Re- search Centre for having let me participate in a course that introduced me to STATA, the statistical software package I used in this study. The non-government organization CEEWA-Uganda provided me with office space, personnel and logistics during the many months I was in Uganda for fieldwork and I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the entire management, membership and staff for their support. It would not have been possible to complete this work without the cooperation and participa- tion of the very many key informants and respondents in and outside Uganda that par- ticipated in the study. I gratefully acknowledge and thank them all for their input. The people that have closely walked this journey with me will already know that without the incredible help and support received from my family, none of this would have been possible. Due to my constant traveling ,my sister Maria helped with many chores including taking Adolph to school. She consistently helped all three boys Ar- nold, Adrian and Ado in countless ways. Arnold took care of his siblings and their dad, Arthur provided excellent support.