The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has renewed its call for businesses to prioritise quality as a core driver of domestic trade and Uganda’s competitiveness on the global market.
Speaking during Spotlight Uganda on Sanyuka Television on Wednesday, under the theme, “How UNBS and URA are Transforming Trade in Uganda,” Kirabo Sylvia, the UNBS principal public relations officer, said that traders and manufacturers must treat product quality as central to their operations if they intend to grow sustainably.
Kirabo noted that one of UNBS’s key roles is to assess and certify goods produced in Uganda to ensure they meet required standards.
“If you want to trade and sell products locally or export goods abroad, you need to prioritize quality. UNBS confirms the quality of goods made here and, after assessment, gives you the Q-Mark, which shows that a product meets the right standards,” she said.
She added that certification has become mandatory for exporters as international markets increasingly demand proof of quality assurance.
“When exporting, the first thing you are asked is whether your products are certified by UNBS. You must present the certificate we issue after accrediting your products,” she said.
Kirabo applauded the rising innovation among Ugandans, particularly youth and women entrepreneurs who, despite running small enterprises, continue to create unique products. She said UNBS has worked closely with these groups to help them meet required standards and expand their market reach.
“Our people are innovative, especially the youth and women, even though they may not own large factories. At UNBS, we have encouraged them to produce quality products, which has helped them expand their markets,” she said.
To safeguard the integrity of imports, Kirabo highlighted the Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) programme, which requires importers to have goods inspected and verified in the exporting country by UNBS-appointed partners.
“PVoC ensures that imported products meet UNBS standards before shipping. This protects consumers and the market from substandard goods,” she said.
Kirabo also pointed out persistent challenges with poorly labelled products, noting that some manufacturers fail to include essential details such as manufacturing and expiry dates.
She said UNBS has intensified enforcement to ensure transparency and consumer protection.
“Some manufacturers don’t include descriptions on their products to indicate when they were made and when they will expire. We have improved this to ensure buyers have clear information about the products they are purchasing,” she said.
UNBS pledged to continue working with traders, manufacturers and regulatory partners, including the Uganda Revenue Authority, to uphold fair trade, protect consumers and support economic growth through stronger quality assurance and standardization systems.
