UNBS’ New Council to Boost Quality Standards
Ministers of trade, industry and cooperatives with the newly inaugurated 10th National Standards Council (NSC)
The Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Hon. Francis Mwebesa, inaugurated the 10th National Standards Council (NSC), the top most governing body (board of directors) of UNBS to ensure effective service delivery.
During the inauguration ceremony, at the Kampala Serena Hotel, Hon. Mwebesa urged the new board to prioritise improving quality of locally manufactured goods to protect the public and environment against dangerous substandard products.
“Help the businesses to comply with standards, through capacity building programs. Conduct regular factory checks where goods are made to ensure that they comply with the relevant standards before they are placed on the market and sensitize the public about the benefits of consuming UNBS certified products.” Said Hon. Mwebesa.
Hon. Mwebesa also urged the new board to ensure that UNBS supports value addition in line with the Government of Uganda Programs of Parish Development Model (PDM) program and the National Development Plan IV.
The State Minister of Trade, Hon. Gen. Wilson Mbasu Mbadi called upon the New National Standards Council members to build a very strong quality infrastructure to support trade and government programs in the country.
‘UNBS is expected to help Uganda improve its trade through Standardisation to foster export promotion, import substitution and industrialization.’ Gen. Mbadi said.
The Chairperson of the 10th National Standards Council, Eng. James Kalibbala, thanked Hon. Mwebesa for the appointment, and committed to build on the legacy of the previous boards to foster collaborations and partnerships for the bureau to thrive. He also pledged to work with all stakeholders to restore UNBS’ positive corporate image and reputation.
The UNBS Executive Director who was also sworn-in as the Secretary to the National Standards Council, Eng. James Kasigwa welcomed the new board members and emphasized the need to propel the new UNBS value proposition of “growing quality MSMEs”.
In our new proposition, we are going to handhold, train and empower our local enterprises especially the Start-ups, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to comply with standards. This will entail mainstreaming quality assurance, standards awareness, certification, accuracy of measurements and market compliance support across the entire country.” Said Eng. Kasigwa.
The new members of the National Standards Council include;
- Eng. James Kalibala- The Chairperson
- Dr. John Patrick Kabayo -Vice chairperson
- Maj. Dr. Atwoki John Mathias Rusoke Tagaswiire – Ex official
- Mr. Ainebyona Denis – Ex official
- Ms. Hawa Nsubuga Lule – member
- Prof. Mnason Tweheyo – Member
- Ms. Stella Nyapendi Chombo – Member
- Eng. James Kasigwa – Executive Director UNBS and secretary to the council.
The functions of the National Standards Council, the governing body of UNBS, are outlined under Section 8 (1) (a – e) of the UNBS Act. They include:
- Declare standard specifications, certification marks and codes of practice and do all things incidental thereto or connected therewith in accordance with this Act;
- Be responsible for the general administration of the bureau;
- Be responsible for formulating and carrying out the policies of the bureau;
- Advise the Minister on any matter under the provisions of this Act; and
- Do all things necessary for carrying into effect the provisions and purposes of this Act.
