Abstract Agriculture is the predominant economic activity in Uganda and the government's vision is to develop a profitable, competitive, sustainable and dynamic agricultural and agro-industrial sector. To achieve this requires that the majority smallholder farmers access yield-enhancing technologies. Seed is regarded as a crucial input since it is the basic means of technology transfer to farmers. Policy development for research and seed production and control is put in a historical context, showing the need to regularly update policies, institutions and laws in order to meet the requirements of the changing conditions. Smallholder focus through stimulating participatory plant breeding and stimulating private investment in the formal seed sector need to be included. Furthermore, the composition of policy making and implementing bodies changed, and regulations were adapted with a focus on regional harmonisation. Seed policies, laws and regulations will need to be reviewed again to accommodate new trends in...