The Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Francis Mwebesa, has inaugurated a new Board of Directors for the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), charging them with the responsibility of strengthening the country’s quality infrastructure and protecting the public from substandard products.
The 10th National Standards Council (NSC), which serves as the top governing body of UNBS, was inaugurated during a ceremony at the Kampala Serena Hotel.
Minister Mwebesa urged the new board to prioritise improving the quality of locally manufactured goods, protect the environment, and support businesses through regular inspections and capacity-building initiatives.
“Help the businesses to comply with standards, through capacity building programs. Conduct regular factory checks where goods are made to ensure that they comply with the relevant standards before they are placed on the market,” Mwebesa said.
He also called on the council to raise public awareness about the importance of consuming certified products.
The minister emphasised that UNBS should align its efforts with key government initiatives, including the Parish Development Model (PDM) and the National Development Plan IV, to support value addition and industrial growth.
The State Minister for Trade, Gen. Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, called on the council to build a strong quality assurance system to enhance Uganda’s trade competitiveness. “UNBS is expected to help Uganda improve its trade through standardisation to foster export promotion, import substitution, and industrialisation,” Gen. Mbadi stated.
Eng. James Kalibbala, the new chairperson of the National Standards Council, pledged to uphold the bureau’s mandate and improve its corporate image.
“We shall build on the achievements of the past boards and strengthen partnerships for the bureau to thrive,” Kalibbala said.
UNBS Executive Director, Eng. James Kasigwa, who was sworn in as the Secretary to the Council, outlined plans to support Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in meeting quality standards.
“We are going to handhold, train, and empower our local enterprises, especially start-ups and MSMEs, to comply with standards,” Kasigwa said.
The new board members are:
Eng. James Kalibbala Chairperson,Dr. John Patrick Kabayo,Vice Chairperson,Maj. Dr. Atwoki John Mathais Rusoke
Tagasgwire Ex-officio, Mr. Ainebyona Denis Ex-officio ,Hawa Nsubuga Lule – Member
Prof. Mnason Tweheyo – Member
Stella Nyapendi Chombo Member
Eng. James Kasigwa – Executive Director UNBS and Secretary to the Council.
The National Standards Council oversees the administration and policy direction of UNBS, and advises the Minister on matters related to standardisation, as outlined in the UNBS Act.