Friday, September 23, 2022 – The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), which doubles as the CCAFRICA Coordinator has concluded a Four-Day Twinning and Mentorship programme on Codex Activities between Uganda and Tanzania.
The twinning arrangement aims to strengthen member states’ capacity and efficiency in engaging and managing Codex activities, especially in Chairing Electronic working groups and hosting and co-hosting Codex sessions on food safety standards.
During the session, the Coordinator for Codex Activities in Africa who is also the Head of the Food and Agriculture Standards at UNBS, Mr Hakim Mufumbiro shared his wide experience in managing and engaging
in Codex matters with the Officials from Tanzania Codex Office.
Key issues discussed and shared during the mentorship session include;
Use and application of key provisions in the Codex Procedural Manual
CCAFRICA coordination roles and responsibilities
Regional capacity-building activities and collaboration with FAO, WHO, AU, RECs and other Partners
Communication strategy and effective engagement of members in the region
CCAFRICA work plan to support the implementation of the Codex Strategic Plan (2020-2025)
Generation of regional common positions and effective preparation and participation in the Executive Committee of Codex (CCEXEC) and the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC)
Hosting and co-hosting various Codex sessions such as the CCAFRICA.
The three (3) Officials from Tanzania led by Mr Lawrence Chenge (Codex Contact Point) were grateful for the mentorship received and pledged to implement the lessons back home to better their leadership capabilities and management of Codex activities.
“The training will guide Tanzania on how to deal with food safety standards at the national and regional level. It will help us harmonise as the East African region, reducing the tension and trade barriers within the region, allowing us to trade within ourselves as the East African Community and the rest of Africa.” Said Mrs Patricia Bageine Ejalu, the UNBS Deputy Executive Director in charge of Standards.
Mrs Patricia Bageine Ejalu made the remarks as she officially closed the four-day training at the UNBS head offices in Kampala.
The CODEX twinning and mentorship programme is supported through the Codex Trust Fund Group Project being implemented by five (5) participating Countries (Burundi, Kenya, South Sudan, Tanzania & Uganda) whose broad aim is to build a strong, solid and sustainable national capacity to engage in Codex work.
About CODEX
CODEX Alimentarius Commission was established by the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 1963 and is charged with the development of International Food Standards to promote the Quality and Safety of Food, protect Consumers’ Health and ensure Fair Trade Practices in the Food Value Chains. CODEX is currently comprised of 188 Member Countries and the European Union (EU). Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) is the CODEX Contact Point in Uganda.
