KAMPALA – The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) have renewed their commitment to cooperation on standards and conformity assessment, focusing on the safety and quality of electrical products in Uganda.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The pledge was made during a breakfast meeting held on Friday, September 18, 2026, hosted by UNBS at Four Points by Sheraton, Kampala, for experts of Uganda’s IEC National Committee.
The gathering brought together IEC Secretary-General and CEO Philippe Metzger and his delegation, UNBS leadership, government officials, members of the National Committee, academia, industry, and other stakeholders.
Officials said the talks were aimed at strengthening Uganda’s participation in IEC standardization and conformity assessment, and at using those systems to support technological development, manufacturing, energy, trade, and industrial transformation.
Uganda has been an IEC Associate Member since 2020, with UNBS having adopted more than 288 IEC standards covering electrical appliances, cables, e-mobility, solar photovoltaic systems, lighting, and renewable energy technologies.
Speaking at the meeting, Metzger said standards have become a core part of modern economic infrastructure as countries seek investment, expand manufacturing, increase exports, and join global value chains.
He said Uganda’s ambition to grow its economy tenfold by 2040 will require not only investment and infrastructure, but also systems that enable Ugandan products and firms to compete regionally and internationally.
“Standards are economic infrastructure. They help businesses access markets. They reduce costs and uncertainty. They accelerate innovation. They build investor confidence and create the trust that allows economies to grow,” Metzger said.
Metzger said international standards build trust, innovation, and sustainable growth, and that Uganda’s active IEC participation helps shape global standards, strengthen manufacturing, boost competitiveness, facilitate trade, and support industrial transformation.
He noted that standards are vital to Uganda’s priority sectors and reliable electricity, and that fuller use of IEC membership, spanning nearly 170 countries, can support renewable energy, smart grids, and expanded power access by 2030.
“International standards are the quiet architecture of progress. They build trust, power innovation, and open doors to markets, ensuring that as Uganda industrialises and lights up every corner of the nation, its products and people can compete with confidence on the world stage,” said Metzger.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Sanjay Tana, Commissioner of Industry and Technology Denise Ayinebona noted that Uganda’s IEC participation offers a valuable chance to shape the standards guiding its technological and industrial future.
She said embracing international standards would protect consumers, strengthen domestic manufacturing, support clean energy, facilitate trade, and position Uganda as a competitive participant in the global economy.
Chairperson of the National Standards Council, James Kalibbala, said associate membership goes beyond a formal relationship, offering Uganda a chance to strengthen technical capacity, contribute to international standards, and access global expertise.
He urged Uganda to move from participation to influence and measurable national impact, calling on IEC National Committee experts to treat their role as a national assignment and strengthen Uganda’s technical voice in standardisation.
The Executive Director of UNBS and Secretary of Uganda’s IEC National Committee, Eng. James Kasigwa, opened earlier engagements by stressing the Commission’s role in Uganda’s development and economic transformation.
He has previously said effective implementation of IEC standards is important for consumer protection and environmental sustainability as the country imports and uses more electrical and electronic products.
The government has since confirmed that the collaboration is intended to give consumers, businesses, and investors greater assurance about the safety, quality, and performance of electrical and electronic products, while supporting a more competitive industrial base.
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