UNBS seeks Shs144 billion budget enhancement
UNBS wants government to increase its budget to Shs200b. Photo / File
What you need to know:
- UNBS currently receives Shs56b, which Executive Director James Kasigwa, notes is merely a third of what the standards agency requires to function effectively.
Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has said its current budgetary allocation is just a third of what it needs to function effectively.
While appearing before the Parliamentary Committee on Trade, Industry, and Tourism, UNBS said the perennial underfunding continues to hamper its ability to meet expected targets, key among which include safeguarding Ugandans against fake and substandard products.
UNBS currently receives Shs56b, which Executive Director James Kasigwa, noted was merely a third of what the standards agency requires to function effectively.
Thus, he said, government should increase UNBS’s allocations to at least Shs200b to address its operational needs, including standards enforcement.
“As a bureau, we are now shifting our approach. Previously, we placed the burden on the business community to meet our stringent standards. However, our new strategy involves supporting small and medium enterprises to meet these standards. By doing so, we aim to enhance the quality and competitiveness of their products, but this requires additional funding,” he said.
UNBS has been criticised for failing to stop substandard and fake products from accessing the market, which in its June 2024 report noted had increased to about 58 percent.
However, the standards agency has previously highlighted financing as a key challenge that has limited its ability to enforce standards through routine market surveillance.
Mr Deus Mubangizi, the UNBS National Metrology Laboratory manager, said there was need to enhance UNBS’ funding, which would not only increase the quality of goods sold on the Ugandan market but would also enhance Uganda’s export potential.
“With proper funding, we can engage more with the international community to harmonise standards and calibrations, ensuring our measurements align with international benchmarks. This will increase exports and improve trade,” he said.
UNBS also revealed that it was operating with only 46 percent of its required staff capacity, further straining its ability to fulfill its mandate effectively.
Ms Sylvia Nayebare, the Parliamentary Committee on Trade, Industry, and Tourism committee chairperson, said UNBS’ call for an enhanced budget would guide them in making more informed decisions during the Budget Framework Paper process.
Quality challenges
Uganda has previously had challenges with other countries regarding claims of substandard products, some of which have been blocked from accessing the markets of such countries.
