19 win UNBS approval

Dec 20, 2002

UGANDA National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has presented certificates to 19 local manufacturers, whose products have been certified under the National Product Quality Certification Scheme

By Ricks Kayizzi

UGANDA National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has presented certificates to 19 local manufacturers, whose products have been certified under the National Product Quality Certification Scheme.

The Minister for Tourism, Trade and Industry, Prof. Edward Rugumayo, handed over the certificates, during a gala event at Hotel Equatoria on Wednesday.

He said Uganda operates in a global village, where product quality is key to the successful penetration of lucrative foreign markets, particularly in the European Union and the US.

“The need to embrace national and international standards and quality assurance practices in all aspects of the production, processing, handling and marketing of manufactured products, is a strategic imperative that cannot be ignored,” he said.

Rugumayo advised manufacturers to always consider the safety of consumers, if Uganda is to rapidly industrialise.

Dr. Terry Kahuma, the UNBS executive director, said that since 1995, when the product certification scheme was introduced, 43 permits have been awarded to 23 companies, including two certificates of recognition to two testing laboratories.

He said that the permits and certificates have to be renewed annually.

He, however echoed the manufacturers concern about counterfeit products on the local market.

“The problem of counterfeiting is becoming more of a nightmare for manufacturers. One way of fighting this is to enlist support of UNBS through certification of the products,” Kahuma said.

Among the firms recognised included, Mukwano Industries, Simba Blankets, Victoria Pumps, Cable Corporation, Hima Cement, Tororo Cement, Roofings Limited, Hwan Sang AK Oils and Fats, Uganda Baati, Mukwano Personal Care Products, Hitech Metal Industries, Revoline Lubricants, Multiple Industries, Aqua Coolers, Nile Breweries, Chemiphar and SGS Uganda.

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