UNBS awards quality compliant manufacturers

Mr Onapito Ekomoloit (left), the corporate affairs diretor NBL and Ms Priscilla Nakamatte (right), the trade quality specialist receive a certificate of achievement from Trade minister Amelia Kyambadde at a UNBS event in Kampala recently. PHOTO BY MICHAEL KAKUMIRIZI

What you need to know:

  • Mr Ben Manyindo, the executive director UNBS, said since 1995 when certification of locally manufactured goods started, 479 companies are on the scheme with 1150 permits.
  • In the financial year 2015/16 an additional 100 companies will be added on the scheme.

Kampala. Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has recognised and awarded the most compliant manufacturers and companies in their annual national quality gala awards.
The awards are a climax of UNBS recognition activities of the year intended to promote quality products, manufacturers and companies that have demonstrated the commitment to produce quality products during the year.

Movit Products, Roofings Limited, Nile Breweries Limited (NBL), among others, scooped awards. The event recognises companies that have invested resources in ensuring their products meet the required local and international standards.
In her key note speech, Trade minister Amelia Kyambadde, said in line with the government goal of expanding the economy through industrialisation, the ministry has come up with the Buy Uganda Build Uganda initiative to help promote the locally produced goods.

She said the main objective of the gala is to promote quality and standards to attract more manufacturers to get certified and appreciate the efforts of certified companies in upholding standards. She added UNBS contributes to economic development through supporting the private sector in the areas of standardisation, quality assurance, methodology and testing.
“Standards seat at the heart of economic development of Uganda. They are key drivers in innovations, wealth creation and bringing confidence to consumers. Without standards, the quality and safety of products cannot be guaranteed. Government has a major role to play in the promotion of trade,” she said.
Fund allocation
Ms Kyambade said this year government allocated Shs1.5b to UNBS to help 100 Micro, Small and Medium Sized companies (MSMEs) acquire the necessary certification from UNBS.

The main reason for involvement of MSMEs, according to Ms Kyambadde, is because they sit at the heart of the economic development of Uganda and spread across all sectors with 49 per cent in service sector, 33 per cent in commerce and trade, and 10 per cent in manufacturing and 8 per cent in other sectors.
“This deliberate support can contribute revenue to the government, create employment especially for the youth and women and contribute to social economic transformation in line with the National Development plan and Vision 2040,” she said.
Mr Ben Manyindo, the executive director UNBS, said since 1995 when certification of locally manufactured goods started, 479 companies are on the scheme with 1150 permits. In the financial year 2015/16 an additional 100 companies will be added on the scheme.