The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has launched a national initiative to strengthen the country’s food safety laboratory infrastructure after an assessment identified gaps in testing capacity that could undermine consumer safety and Uganda’s access to export markets.
The two-day engagement, being held in Kampala in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), is expected to validate recommendations aimed at improving the country’s food testing systems.
According to UNBS, Uganda continues to face food safety challenges, including aflatoxins and other mycotoxins, pesticide residues, heavy metals, microbial contamination and poor food handling practices, which pose risks to public health and limit the competitiveness of Ugandan food products in regional and international markets.
A nationwide assessment of food testing laboratories found weaknesses in laboratory infrastructure, equipment, testing methods, staffing, quality management systems and accreditation readiness against internationally recognised ISO standards.
The assessment covered the UNBS Food Safety Laboratories, Chemiphar Laboratories Limited, NARO Biopesticide Innovation Laboratories and Government Analytical Laboratories.
Following the review, stakeholders recommended strengthening the legal and regulatory framework governing food analytical laboratories, expanding access to laboratory services across the country, procuring modern testing equipment and increasing investment in training laboratory personnel.
They also called for expanded accreditation to test pesticide residues, mycotoxins and heavy metal contaminants, enhanced national proficiency testing schemes, and the establishment of a national laboratory network and centralized information portal to improve coordination.
UNBS said implementing the recommendations would strengthen Uganda’s ability to detect food contaminants, improve evidence-based regulation, protect consumers, reduce food losses and enhance confidence in Ugandan food products, ultimately improving access to regional and international markets.
The initiative is being implemented under the FAO project, “Regional Strengthening of Food Safety Standards for Trade and Public Health Promotion,” funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB).
