The Standards Advantage: UNBS positions quality infrastructure at the heart of Uganda’s industrialisation
As the country advances its long-term development agenda, the ability to consistently produce high-quality goods and services may prove to be one of Uganda's most valuable competitive advantages in regional and global markets.
The Standards Advantage: UNBS positions quality infrastructure at the heart of Uganda’s industrialisation
As Uganda pursues its ambitious goal of expanding its economy to US$500 billion by 2040, government officials increasingly agree that economic transformation will depend not only on producing more goods but on producing goods that consistently meet internationally recognised standards.
That message took centre stage at the 7th Heads of Government Agencies (HoGA) Meeting, hosted by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) at Standards House in Bweyogerere, where chief executives and accounting officers from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) gathered to strengthen coordination, improve public service delivery and align government institutions behind the country’s industrialisation agenda.
Convened by the Office of the Prime Minister under the leadership of Jane Kyarisima Mwesiga, Deputy Head of Public Service in charge of Performance and Service Delivery, the forum highlighted quality infrastructure as a strategic pillar for export competitiveness, investment attraction and sustainable economic growth.
Standards Beyond Compliance
While standards are often viewed as technical regulations, government leaders argue they are increasingly becoming a competitive advantage in the global economy.
Addressing the forum, UNBS Executive Director Eng. James Kasigwa said Uganda’s Ten-Fold Growth Strategy can only succeed if standards are embedded across government planning, industrial production, procurement, infrastructure development and every stage of the value chain.
“To realise Uganda’s Ten-Fold Growth Strategy, standards must be embedded in government policy, industry, procurement, infrastructure development and every stage of production,” Kasigwa said.
He explained that quality should no longer be regarded solely as a regulatory obligation but as a national culture capable of improving productivity, reducing waste, protecting consumers and opening international markets for Ugandan products.
“As the custodian of national standards, UNBS remains committed to promoting and enforcing compliance to standards to guarantee product quality, consumer safety and fair trade. We must foster an inter-agency ecosystem where quality isn’t just a regulatory mandate but a culture embedded across every value chain,” he added.
Inside Uganda’s Quality Infrastructure
Ahead of the meeting, delegates toured UNBS’s internationally accredited laboratories, offering a firsthand look at the scientific infrastructure underpinning Uganda’s quality assurance system.
The Food Safety Laboratories test agricultural and processed food products to ensure compliance with domestic and international safety requirements, enabling Ugandan exporters to access demanding regional and global markets.
The National Metrology Laboratories maintain the country’s official measurement standards, ensuring precision in manufacturing, commerce and scientific research while promoting fairness in trade.
Delegates also visited the National Energy Meters Laboratory, where every electricity meter destined for the Ugandan market is verified before deployment, helping guarantee billing accuracy, consumer confidence and energy sector integrity.
Collectively, these facilities represent significant government investment in quality infrastructure designed to support industrialisation, enhance regulatory efficiency and improve Uganda’s competitiveness in international trade.
Building an Export-Ready Economy
As Uganda seeks to diversify exports beyond traditional commodities, standards have become increasingly important for manufacturers targeting regional and international markets.
International accreditation of UNBS laboratories allows exporters to certify products locally rather than relying on expensive overseas testing, reducing costs and improving access to global value chains.
Jane Kyarisima Mwesiga said these investments are fundamental to the country’s industrialisation agenda.
“Government’s deliberate investments in state-of-the-art quality infrastructure, such as the internationally accredited laboratories witnessed here at UNBS, are fundamental to industrialisation,” she said.
She urged government agencies to embrace standards as a driver of export-led growth, improved service delivery and sustainable socio-economic transformation.
Fighting Counterfeit and Substandard Products
The meeting also addressed growing public concern over reports of underweight building materials, particularly cement.
Kasigwa reassured consumers that certified cement manufacturers continue to comply with prescribed weight and safety standards.
However, he revealed that recent UNBS market surveillance indicates many cases of underweight cement result from illegal tampering, siphoning and repackaging during transportation and retail distribution rather than factory production.
“We have engaged certified cement manufacturers nationwide to ensure strict adherence to relevant weight and safety standards,” Kasigwa said.
He called for stronger collaboration among regulators, security agencies, manufacturers, distributors and consumers to eliminate illicit practices that undermine public confidence and fair competition.
“Every player across the value chain should demand and deliver quality products,” he added.
A Whole-of-Government Approach
Beyond quality assurance, the HoGA meeting focused on strengthening coordination among public institutions responsible for implementing the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV) under the government’s operational directive, “Kisanja No Sleep.”
Participants reaffirmed their commitment to improving institutional performance, accelerating decision-making and enhancing accountability across government.
The discussions underscored that achieving Uganda’s Ten-Fold Growth Strategy will require close collaboration among agencies responsible for trade, agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure, energy, science and technology.
Rather than operating in isolation, government institutions are increasingly expected to work as an integrated ecosystem supporting enterprise development and private sector growth.
Standards as an Economic Growth Strategy
Globally, countries that have successfully industrialised have invested heavily in standards, testing laboratories, measurement science and certification systems to ensure locally manufactured goods can compete internationally.
Uganda is increasingly adopting the same approach.As the country advances its long-term development agenda, the ability to consistently produce high-quality goods and services may prove to be one of Uganda’s most valuable competitive advantages in regional and global markets.
By strengthening quality infrastructure, harmonising regulations and promoting compliance across industries, government aims to improve productivity, attract investment, create jobs and expand exports.
The 7th Heads of Government Agencies Meeting demonstrated that standards are no longer viewed merely as technical requirements but as strategic economic assets capable of enhancing competitiveness, protecting consumers and accelerating Uganda’s journey towards becoming a modern, industrialised and export-oriented economy.
As the country advances its long-term development agenda, the ability to consistently produce high-quality goods and services may prove to be one of Uganda’s most valuable competitive advantages in regional and global markets.
