The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on Friday renewed their commitment to closer cooperation on standards and conformity assessment, with a focus on the safety, quality and reliability of electrical and electronic products on the Ugandan market.

The pledge was made during a breakfast meeting hosted by UNBS at Four Points by Sheraton, Kampala, for experts of Uganda’s IEC National Committee. The gathering brought together IEC Secretary-General and CEO Philippe Metzger and his delegation, UNBS leadership, government officials, members of the National Committee, academia, industry and other stakeholders.

The session was the public high point of a 16–18 September visit that also included engagements at Standards House in Bweyogerere and a tour of UNBS laboratories. Officials said the talks were aimed at strengthening Uganda’s participation in IEC standardisation and conformity assessment, and at using those systems to support technological development, manufacturing, energy, trade and industrial transformation.

Uganda has been an IEC Associate Member since 2020. UNBS has adopted more than 288 IEC standards covering electrical appliances, cables, e-mobility, solar photovoltaic systems, lighting and renewable energy technologies.

Speaking at the meeting, Metzger said standards have become a core part of modern economic infrastructure as countries seek investment, expand manufacturing, increase exports and join global value chains.

He said Uganda’s ambition to grow its economy tenfold by 2040 will require not only investment and infrastructure, but also systems that enable Ugandan products and firms to compete regionally and internationally.

“Standards are economic infrastructure. They help businesses access markets. They reduce costs and uncertainty. They accelerate innovation. They build investor confidence and create the trust that allows economies to grow,” Metzger said.

He further pointed to renewable energy, energy efficiency, smart grids, off-grid technologies and energy storage as Uganda works to raise generation capacity from 2 gigawatts to 8.3 gigawatts and expand electricity access to 85 percent of the population by 2030.

Uganda, he said, should make fuller use of its IEC membership and the Commission’s network of nearly 170 countries and thousands of technical experts. He commended UNBS for supporting the National Committee and mobilising stakeholders, describing the IEC as “a totally member-based organisation.”

Government: shape the standards that will shape industry

Mr Denise Ayinebona, Commissioner of Industry and Technology at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, spoke on behalf of Hon. Sanjay Tana, Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives.

“Uganda’s participation in the IEC presents a valuable opportunity to shape the standards that will influence our technological and industrial future. By embracing international standards, we can protect consumers, strengthen domestic manufacturing, support clean energy, facilitate trade and position Uganda as a competitive participant in the global economy. I therefore call upon all institutions represented here to actively participate in Uganda’s IEC National Committee and support the implementation of its programmes,” he said.

Mr James K. Kalibbala, Chairperson of the National Standards Council, said associate membership is more than a formal institutional relationship.

“It presents an opportunity to strengthen our technical capacity, contribute to the development of international standards, access global expertise and ensure that international standards take into account the realities and needs of developing economies such as Uganda,” he said.

He called on Uganda to move “from participation to active engagement, from engagement to influence, and ultimately from influence to measurable national impact,” and urged IEC National Committee experts to treat their role as a national assignment and give Uganda a stronger technical voice in international standardisation.

Eng. James N. Kasigwa, Executive Director of UNBS and Secretary of Uganda’s IEC National Committee, opened earlier engagements by stressing the Commission’s role in Uganda’s development and economic transformation. He has previously said effective implementation of IEC standards is important for consumer protection and environmental sustainability as the country imports and uses more electrical and electronic products.

UNBS and government communicators said the collaboration is intended to give consumers, businesses and investors greater assurance about the safety, quality and performance of electrical and electronic products, while supporting a more competitive industrial base.

By Nashumbusha Joshua