UNBS is liable to back enterprises

Sylvia Kirabo

From the onset, there is no doubt that as custodians of standards in the country, we have the responsibility to facilitate micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).  This is because we fully recognise the role of MSMES as a crucial engine of growth. 
According to statistics from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, players in this key segment of the economy are spread across the country’s economic sectors. About 52 per cent are engaged in the service sector, 33 per cent are involved in commerce and trade, and 10 per cent are incorporated in manufacturing, while the other 8 per cent fall within other sectors of the economy.
Studies show that MSMES are the key drivers in engineering, innovation, wealth and job creation. This segment of the economy is currently responsible for more than 2.5 million jobs, making it the largest employment contributing sector in the country. It also accounts for about 90 per cent of the entire private sector, with more than 80 per cent of manufactured output contributing 18 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). 
Despite all that, the growth prospect for MSMES, is far from being fully exploited.  And this is where we come in to contribute with a view of harnessing the opportunities that this potentially vibrant economic sector presents. 
Our responsibility in facilitating businesses as Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), is driven by the realities on the ground, which demands that we keep pace with evolving times and actualities. One of the areas where UNBS believes it can facilitate MSME businesses for the better is in simplification of standard requirement literature/information. This is to enable MSMEs appreciate standards, comply with the relevant requirements and enroll on the UNBS certification scheme. 
By undergoing the UNBS certification process, enterprises can independently demonstrate the quality and thereby build trust in their products and services in both local and international markets. 
At UNBS, we have since intensified standards awareness campaigns particularly among MSMES, with the sole intention of facilitating and improving the quality of their products. Going forward, we hope our capacity, mainly financial, will strengthen and as a result enable us to undertake as many projects as we can. 
Currently, UNBS has support from development partners for this particular project - simplification of UNBS standards procedures and requirement. We are executing it with the support from UK ’s Department for International Development (DFID), through the Commonwealth Standards Network (CSN) project and the lead implementer, the British Standards Institution (BSI).
Our involvement in simplifying and translating key standards and guideline documents is in selected value chains, including pineapples, rice, soybean, shea nut, and avocados geared towards helping small enterprises, many of whom are farmers, understand what is expected of them in terms of standards, in a language they relate with best such as Luganda for those in Buganda Sub-region. 
Already, UNBS has kicked off phase two of the CSN project, with translation of the simplified guidelines into more languages like Lugwere, Lukonzo, Kumam for (rice guidelines) and Lusoga, Lukonzo, Kumam, Lugwere, and Runyankole, among others. 
Finally, UNBS is not merely a statutory body responsible for developing and promoting standards. It is also the custodian and advocate of quality. Further, we are passionate facilitators of fair trade. This is in addition to promoting local industries content. And above all, we fiercely protect consumers.
More than 72,000 copies of simplified standards guidelines printed by UNBS have been handed over to Uganda National Farmers Federation for distribution to farmers, among others.

Ms Sylvia Kirabo is the head of public relations and marketing, Uganda National Bureau of Standards.