Uganda is set to launch a Good Governance Guide for National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) Institutions, a move designed to enhance governance, accountability, and quality standards across the country’s industrial and business ecosystem.
The guide will be unveiled during a National Catalytic Stakeholder Consultation organized by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives (MTIC) in partnership with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) Uganda, the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), and the International Trade Centre’s Sustainable Business for Uganda (SB4U) programme.
The event is scheduled to take place at Four Points by Sheraton, Kampala.
The NQI framework underpins Uganda’s standardization system, covering conformity assessment, metrology, accreditation, and quality assurance—all essential for ensuring the competitiveness of local products in domestic and international markets.
During the consultation, key national policies, including the Uganda MSME Policy (2015) and the National Standards and Quality Policy (2012), will be reviewed to ensure alignment with the country’s industrialization and economic transformation agenda.
Joram Patrick Mugisha (Moogy), Commissioner for Business Development and Quality Assurance at MTIC, said government has been pivotal in developing a robust national quality infrastructure.
“Inclusive policymaking and good governance are smart policymaking. Together, we can co-create the future of MSMEs and quality standards in Uganda,” Mugisha noted.
The Good Governance Guide, developed under the EU-funded SB4U 2.0 project, outlines twelve practical principles covering transparency, accountability, inclusiveness, and risk management.
These standards are intended to strengthen institutional performance, enhance safety and quality assurance, and promote sustainability across NQI institutions, including:
- Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS)
- Public and private testing laboratories
- UNBS-recognised laboratories
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), which constitute 98.8% of Uganda’s businesses, contribute 75% of GDP, and employ 77% of the formal workforce, are expected to benefit significantly from improved quality infrastructure and governance standards.
Strengthened NQI systems will help enhance their competitiveness, facilitate trade, and attract both domestic and international investment.
The stakeholder consultation will bring together government ministries, development partners, private sector actors, academia, civil society, and SME representatives to validate national quality roadmaps, mobilize support, and align efforts toward a transparent, efficient, and globally competitive NQI system.
As Uganda accelerates industrialization and expands its economic base, the launch of the Good Governance Guide is anticipated to reinforce confidence in the country’s quality systems, foster investment, and promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth.