UNBS Executive Director Unveils Pre-Market Approval System to Accelerate Product Compliance and Market Entry

World Business Journal talks to Eng. James N. Kasigwa, Executive Director of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards, about their new five-year strategic plan. This plan aims to reduce certification costs, implement a pre-market approval system, and address key objectives designed to overcome the challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the broader industry sector.

How will the new five-year strategic plan assist SMEs in elevating their standards, and what specific goals and actions are proposed?

Our new five-year strategic plan is dedicated to improving the quality standards of SMEs and tackling the high informality rate, which impacts 52% of our businesses.

We are introducing the Digital Conformity Marking (DCM) programme, which will lower certification costs from $500 per batch to $0.27 per product, facilitating business scaling while ensuring compliance.

A new pre-market approval system will expedite product market entry while ensuring safety and quality.

To further support certified products, we are offering tax waivers on raw materials, benefiting both domestic and imported inputs used in Ugandan manufacturing. 

The plan also supports informal enterprises by promoting the formation of organised associations, such as cooperatives. This facilitates better market access and encourages collective product certification, helping these enterprises compete more effectively.

What is the timeline for issuing the Global GAP certification?

By Q3, certified auditors at our bureau will enable us to reduce Global GAP certification fees from $10,000-$25,000 to $4,000. To further increase accessibility, we will collaborate with cooperatives and programmes like PDM to align agriculture with global standards and boost farmers’ international competitiveness.

What are UNBS’s objectives in the next 24 months?

We intend to reduce the import processing time from 6 days to just one. Regarding certifications, we aim to complete most of them in 14 to 30 days, depending on test complexity. 

Traditionally, we’ve concentrated on agro-processing, but now we recognise the need to strengthen our presence, particularly in the oil and gas sectors, through fiscal metering.

By calibrating meters accurately, we uphold the Weights and Measures Act, ensuring precise volume and flow measurements for oil, electricity, and water, which bolsters business and consumer confidence.

Accurate measurement is crucial in our efforts to promote fair trade, safeguard consumers, and boost investor confidence. For instance, if a consumer pays for a litre of fuel, they should receive a full litre. This trust extends to SMEs, preventing value discrepancies due to measurement inaccuracies. 

A 2023 ISO study titled “The Economic Impact of Standards in Developing Countries” indicates that a 1% increase in standards correlates with a 0.1% boost in productivity. With a young labour force and abundant resources, implementing rigorous standards will strengthen our economic competitiveness and growth potential.

NEMA Reports 40% Protected Area Coverage as Biodiversity Strategy Exceeds 2030 Goal

World Business Journal talks to Akankwasa Barirega, Executive Director at the National Environment Management Authority, about efforts being made to protect wetlands as key biodiversity assets, measures taken to address noise pollution, and the state of forest conservation in the country.

What notable successes and hurdles define the journey of Uganda’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan II?

Protected area coverage in Uganda has increased to 40%, surpassing the 30% target set for 2030, making Uganda the first in Africa and 19th globally to submit an aligned NBSA. All wetlands, which cover 13% of the area, have been gazetted, with 9.3% still intact. Measures have been implemented to protect wetlands as key biodiversity assets, and restoration of degraded wetlands has started nationwide. 

Wildlife conservation efforts are making progress, with elephant, buffalo, giraffe, and rhino populations experiencing growth. Mountain gorilla numbers are currently estimated at 450. However, many big cat and bird species still face significant challenges. Conservation strategies remain crucial, including initiatives around Lake Victoria, where addressing illegal fishing is helping to restore fish populations and enhance biodiversity.

We stopped issuing new permits for wetland activities, preserving existing industrial areas and banning future factories in wetlands, except for public projects. 

While policies like the National Environment and Wildlife Laws are improving, challenges persist, such as limited resources, information gaps, and coordination issues among government departments. Local governments also struggle with the capacity for monitoring environmental changes.

What is the air quality in Kampala, and what efforts are being made to address noise pollution?

The air quality averages 15 micrograms per cubic meter of PM2.5, which is within the WHO’s transitional target but above the ultimate goal of 5 micrograms. The air quality is better in green areas like Kololo, and residents can use tools like the AirQo app to monitor it. 

Efforts to address noise pollution include enforcing the use of noise meters in large venues and tackling issues such as inadequate personnel and equipment. Actions involve equipment confiscation and fines, with plans to form a dedicated enforcement team to improve compliance.

How is deforestation being addressed?

Forest cover has been increased from 9% in 2015 to 13.2% today, aiming for 15% by 2040. A key initiative, Roots (“Running Out Of Trees”), aims to plant 200M trees by 2026, with at least 40M trees planted annually. 

A national carbon market is planned to require industries unable to reduce emissions to buy carbon credits from tree planters. Regulations are in progress, with implementation expected within 2 years.