UNBS Under Fire: Government apologizes to entrepreneurs for products certification delays, warns of job losses
During the same meeting, UNBS officials, led by the Chairperson of the National Standards Council, Eng. James Kalibbala, and Executive Director, Eng. James Kasigwa, also apologized for the "regrettable situation" that has caused "untold business distress."
Senior government officials, led by Ministry of Trade Permanent Secretary Lynette Bagonza and State House Investors Protection Unit (SHIPU) head Col. Edith Nakalema, on Monday offered a public apology to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) owners for what they termed “unnecessary delays” in product certification by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS).
The high-level interface, held at SHIPU offices in Kampala, saw officials openly acknowledge delays exceeding 400 days and warn of potential job losses at UNBS following direct complaints to President Yoweri Museveni.
Col. Nakalema explained that SHIPU was established by President Museveni in 2023 with a clear directive to coordinate government ministries and agencies to avoid delaying or frustrating wealth creators. However, she revealed a critical failure in this mandate regarding UNBS.
“In working with UNBS, it was brought to our attention that you, our esteemed entrepreneurs, have experienced unnecessary delays of over 400 days in the certification process of your products,” Col. Nakalema stated, expressing the President’s deep concern.
“The President has received so many complaints that government ministries and agencies are delaying many investors in their journey of continuing to promote the economic development of Uganda.”
She further emphasized the President’s directive for government agencies to “hand-hold domestic entrepreneurs, the primary drivers of local economic growth.” Col. Nakalema issued a stern warning, indicating that due to the numerous complaints against UNBS, the President is poised to take action, and “some people are likely to lose their jobs.”
Both Col. Nakalema and PS Bagonza extended sincere apologies to the entrepreneurs. “We know that all of you are people with a sharp eye for business opportunity, entrepreneurs with a passion for innovation and eager to introduce reputable products on the market,” Col. Nakalema said, acknowledging the significant effort and investment involved in bringing products to market.
PS Bagonza reiterated the apology, pledging that the mishaps caused by UNBS would be resolved. “As our chief clients, we should be supporting you to make investments successful, not to make you suffer as we build our nation together,” she stated.
She underscored the vital role of investors in achieving President Museveni’s target of Uganda’s 10-fold economy growth strategy, adding, “We cannot achieve that if we hinder your ability to get there.”
Bagonza assured positive change, mentioning a new board instituted to oversee UNBS operations and calling for a “backlog strategy” to reduce existing delays. “We have to be intentional and deliberate on this,” she emphasized.
During the same meeting, UNBS officials, led by the Chairperson of the National Standards Council, Eng. James Kalibbala, and Executive Director, Eng. James Kasigwa, also apologized for the “regrettable situation” that has caused “untold business distress.”
Eng. Kalibbala acknowledged the issues while also defending UNBS’s role in promoting product quality. Eng. Kasigwa noted that the interface helped them “reflect and unpack the critical issues” and disclosed UNBS’s new strategic plan for up to 2030, urging MSMEs to collaborate.
Entrepreneurs, however, did not hold back in voicing their frustrations. Gaster Lule Ntake, proprietor of Ntake Group, highlighted exorbitant fees, slow services, and prolonged certification delays.
“When I start an industry, my products can’t go to consumers without your stamp; you also delay giving us that stamp. The question is, are you promoting investment or? You are also very slow in decision-making and that leaves us stuck,” he said.
Sonko Peter, a local entrepreneur, complained about payments for documents that should be free and the cumbersome process of repeating the entire certification from scratch annually.
Dr. Anna Nakanwagi Mukwaya, a public health specialist and entrepreneur, shared her three-year struggle, particularly its impact on critical medicine supplies like those for TB patients. “If you delay certification, it means that the product will not be on the market and this kills business,” she lamented, also faulting the line Ministry for lacking effective oversight.
Karizha Rukuuka Peter, an entrepreneur from Tororo, corroborated the suffering. “I’m also a victim of delayed certification of 400 days plus. This has really affected us because without certification, nobody wants to do business with us,” he affirmed.
Dr. Ezra Muhumuza, Executive Director of the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA), acknowledged UNBS had been “in shambles” but thanked the Ministry for initiating adjustments, including the new National Standards Council. He also advised entrepreneurs to hire quality control officers within their factories to align with UNBS standards.
Prof. Bruce Kirenga, Principal of Makerere University College of Health Sciences, urged UNBS to establish a system ensuring its employees are accountable to the public they serve.
