The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) and the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) have renewed their commitment to closer collaboration aimed at accelerating Uganda’s industrialisation agenda and improving the country’s investment climate.
The renewed partnership was underscored during a high-level meeting between UNBS Executive Director, James Kasigwa, and UIA Director General, Robert Mukiza, where both institutions pledged to align their efforts in supporting investors and enhancing compliance with national and international standards.
Speaking after the meeting, Eng. Kasigwa emphasized the critical role of standards and quality assurance in driving sustainable industrial growth. He noted that as Uganda pursues its ambitions under the National Development Plan IV and Vision 2040, it is essential that industries operate within a robust standards framework.
“Industrialisation without standards is unsustainable,” Kasigwa said. “We must ensure that all products manufactured in Uganda meet the required national, regional, and international benchmarks. This is key to enhancing competitiveness and protecting consumers.”
He added that UNBS is prioritizing the integration of standards services within industrial parks across the country, a move he said will bring certification, testing, and inspection services closer to manufacturers.
“We are working to embed quality assurance mechanisms directly within industrial parks so that investors can access our services efficiently. This will reduce turnaround time and improve compliance levels,” he explained.
Kasigwa also called on investors to embrace Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, noting that sustainable investment practices are increasingly becoming a prerequisite for global market access.
“Compliance with ESG requirements is no longer optional. It is a fundamental aspect of doing business in today’s world, and Uganda must position itself accordingly,” he said.
On his part, Mukiza reaffirmed UIA’s commitment to facilitating a conducive investment environment by working closely with UNBS to support both local and foreign investors.
“Our role as UIA is to ensure that investors are supported at every stage, from entry to operation,” Mukiza said. “By strengthening our partnership with UNBS, we are ensuring that investors not only set up businesses but also meet the necessary quality and standards requirements.”
Mukiza revealed that UIA has committed to allocating land for UNBS within industrial parks, a strategic move aimed at decentralizing standards services.
“We have agreed to provide space for UNBS in each industrial park so that investors can easily access testing, certification, and inspection services. This will significantly improve efficiency and reduce the cost of compliance,” he noted.
He further called for increased UNBS presence at UIA’s one-stop centres, saying this would enhance trade facilitation and streamline regulatory processes for investors.
“Having UNBS officers at our one-stop centres will simplify procedures for investors and ensure quicker service delivery. This is critical in improving Uganda’s ease of doing business,” Mukiza added.
Both institutions emphasized that the strengthened collaboration will play a vital role in boosting investor confidence, improving product quality, and promoting fair trade practices.
Analysts say the partnership is timely as Uganda intensifies efforts to attract investment into key sectors such as manufacturing, agro-processing, and value addition. By ensuring compliance with standards, the country is better positioned to access regional and international markets, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The collaboration is also expected to support the development of competitive industries capable of creating jobs and driving economic transformation.
UIA, established under the Investment Code Act of 1991 (revised in 2019), is mandated to promote and facilitate investment in Uganda, while UNBS is responsible for developing and enforcing standards to safeguard public health, safety, and the environment.
With both institutions aligning their mandates, stakeholders are optimistic that the partnership will significantly contribute to Uganda’s journey towards a modern, industrialized economy.
