The Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Hon. Francis Mwebesa, has inaugurated a new ten-member board; The National Standards Council (NSC), that will provide oversight and policy guidance to the UNBS to ensure effective service delivery.
During the inauguration ceremony, Hon. Mwebesa urged the new board to prioritise improving quality of locally manufactured goods and imports, to protect the public and environment against dangerous substandard products.
“Check the factories where goods are made to ensure that they comply with the standards before those goods make it to the market. Imports should be inspected at the country of origin before they come into the country. This will reduce the cost of doing business.” Said Hon. Mwebesa.
Hon. Mwebesa further pledged to support UNBS in increasing the staffing and funding levels, to combat the major challenges faced by UNBS in implementing its mandate.
The 9th National Standards Council Chairperson, Mr. Charles Musekura noted that the long turnaround time for product samples in the testing laboratories is another challenge that needs to be worked on, as this will facilitate the Parish Development Model program that is to be rolled out by the government soon.
The UNBS Executive Director who was also sworn in as the Secretary to the National Standards Council, welcomed the new board members and believes that the development will strengthen UNBS intervention in the market and industry, which will improve product quality and protection of the public against use of dangerous substandard products.
“We look forward to continue developing relevant standards to support businesses in production processes, innovations and certify their products against these standards to access export markets.” Said Mr. David Livingstone Ebiru.
The new UNBS board members include;
- Mr. Charles Musekura from the Private Sector who was sworn in as the Chairperson
- Mr. David Livingstone Ebiru from UNBS who was sworn in as the board secretary,
- Dr. Tom Okia Okurut the Former Executive Director of National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA),
- Mr. Andima Alfred Oyo, the Current Under Secretary at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives (MTIC),
- Eng. James Kabali Kalibbala from the Private Sector
- Ms. Sarah Irene Kibuka Walusimbi from the Private Sector
- Mr. Robert Mwanje from the Private Sector
- Dr. Aminah Zawedde, the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of ICT
- Ms. Pamella Achii from Ministry of Health
- Mr. Omar Mohammed from the Ministry of Justice & Constitutional Affairs