Parliament has directed a comprehensive investigation into the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) over alleged governance lapses and operational inefficiencies that lawmakers say are hurting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and putting consumers at risk.
The order, issued by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, follows growing complaints from traders and manufacturers about delays in product certification, complicated renewal processes, and the high cost of compliance.
“I have received numerous complaints from small-scale industrialists about persistent governance and leadership gaps at UNBS, especially the long delays and backlogs in certification,” Tayebwa told Parliament. He criticised the Bureau for frustrating businesses that try to follow the law while aggressively hunting down those without certification.
Petitioners highlighted inefficiencies in several UNBS programs, including the digital conformity stamp system, the verification of used motor vehicles under the KIVOC program, and the testing and calibration of weighing scales, water meters, and LPG cylinders.
These delays, they said, have exposed consumers to unsafe products and unfair trade practices. Tayebwa also expressed frustration over the long and costly process of clearing goods at customs, even after taxes have been paid.
He has directed the Parliamentary Committee on Trade, Tourism and Industry, chaired by Sylvia Nayebare, the Woman MP for Gomba District, to investigate the matter. The committee will engage the Minister of Trade, the UNBS Board, and management, and report back within 14 days before the next budget discussions begin.
Tayebwa also questioned why UNBS has failed to fully deploy the Bleep App, a government-funded digital tool that costs 900 million Shillings. The app was meant to help consumers report fake products directly from their smartphones, linking them to regulators and manufacturers. Despite such investments, Tayebwa said the Bureau “is struggling to deliver on its mandate.”
The controversy comes amid reports of internal power struggles between the UNBS Board and the Ministry of Trade, which recently saw the suspension and later reinstatement of Executive Director James Kasigwa under unclear circumstances.
MPs say the leadership wrangles have disrupted operations at a time when stability is needed most. The Auditor General’s 2024/2025 report paints a worrying picture of systemic failures within UNBS. The report found that the Bureau is underfunded and performing far below its targets, conducting only a fraction of its planned market inspections.
Auditors noted that many inspections are random rather than guided by risk assessments, and that poor record-keeping and fragmented data systems have weakened the Bureau’s ability to detect dangerous products on the market. UNBS laboratories were also found to be outdated and poorly equipped to meet the country’s growing testing needs.
Many of the testing machines are obsolete, resulting in long turnaround times and compromised safety checks. The Bureau is further constrained by staff shortages, operating with less than half of its approved workforce, limiting its field operations and inspection coverage.
According to the report, UNBS continues to rely on an outdated legal framework, as key amendments to the UNBS Act and related regulations remain pending. The National Standards Council, which is supposed to guide enforcement, was also described as “largely ineffective.”
The audit also pointed out flaws in major contracts, including fuel marking projects, where poor contract design and limited quality controls increased the risk of substandard fuel entering the market. Lawmakers warned that UNBS’ failures threaten Uganda’s industrialisation agenda and consumer protection efforts.
SMEs, which form the backbone of the country’s economy, continue to struggle with bureaucratic bottlenecks that make it harder to get certified and compete locally or internationally. “UNBS’ inefficiencies are not just administrative; they are slowing down business growth and affecting Uganda’s competitiveness,” Tayebwa noted.
***URN***