The Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) warmly welcomes the inauguration of the 10th National Standards Council (NSC) of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), which took place on July 2nd, 2025. This event was held under the leadership of Hon. Francis Mwebesa, Minister of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives. UMA congratulates the newly appointed NSC Chairperson, Eng. James Kalibbala, who represents UMA as a member of the Advisory Council. Congratulations also go to the council members, including Prof. Menason Tweheyo and UNBS Executive Director Eng. James Kasigwa, who serves as Council Secretary.

UMA applauds the government for its commitment to enhancing UNBS’s role in promoting quality standards and improving trade competitiveness. The directive from State Minister Gen. Wilson Mbadi to prioritize business support over excessive enforcement strongly resonates with our members, as it addresses long-standing concerns about regulatory practices that have sometimes hindered growth. We believe that the new NSC’s focus on building a robust quality infrastructure aligns with UMA’s mission to foster a thriving manufacturing sector that meets both local and global market demands.

The Council’s mandate to strengthen enforcement and harmonize export standards is crucial for enabling Ugandan products to compete effectively in regional and international markets. The Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) also commends the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) for initiatives such as the ban on uncertified grain products to combat aflatoxin contamination, the launch of an e-portal for streamlined import inspections, and the recognition of 42 small and medium-sized enterprises for achieving food safety quality management certifications.

As manufacturers, we rely on UNBS to provide a fair and supportive framework for quality assurance,” said Eng. James Kalibbala. “We need to stay vigilant and adopt digitalization through collaboration with the 10th NSC to drive innovation and improve product quality. UMA commits its full support to the new NSC and UNBS in their efforts to promote fair trade, protect consumers, and elevate Uganda’s manufacturing industry globally.