Institutional challenges to climate change adaptation: A case study on policy action gaps in Uganda

•Multidimensional factors cross the policy development and implementation cycle, and governance levels affect smallholder adaptation.•Policy formulation is dominated by the central government, other actors are inadequately involved, farming communities are excluded.•Effective implementation is constrained by poor links among central government agencies, and between national, district and community levels.•Government should use more inclusive approaches in policy development and strengthen vertical and horizontal flows of communication.•Research should integrate policy needs and proactively engage policy actors in research processes.