Uganda won three key leadership positions within the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO). The victories were confirmed during the recently concluded 31st ARSO General Assembly held in Zanzibar, Tanzania.
The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) emerged as a dominant force in the elections, reflecting growing continental confidence in Uganda’s technical and policy leadership.
The Assembly, convened under the theme "Accelerating Fair and Just Trade in Africa under the African Continental Free Trade Area through an African Coherent Regulatory Framework and Harmonised Standards", marked a strategic moment for the continent’s integration efforts.
During the Assembly, the 72nd ARSO Council formally endorsed Uganda’s candidate for the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) Council elections.
UNBS Executive Director, Eng. James Kasigwa, will now stand as Africa’s nominee under Group 4 for the 2026–2028 term. The final vote will take place in October 2025 in Kigali, Rwanda.
Uganda was also voted to the ARSO Council, the organisation’s highest policy-making organ responsible for steering the direction of continental standardisation activities.
Eng. Kasigwa will represent Uganda on the Council from July 2025 to June 2028. In addition, Uganda secured a seat on ARSO’s Standards Management Committee (SMC), which oversees the harmonisation of African Standards.
Joel Peter Oryang, UNBS Head of Regional and International Liaison, will serve on the committee for the same three-year term. “These achievements are a clear indication of the confidence ARSO Member States place in Uganda’s leadership both technically and at the policy level,” said Eng. Kasigwa.
He expressed appreciation to the member states for their support and urged continued collaboration ahead of the ISO Council elections. “Our key priority areas at ISO Council include diversity, digital transformation, and engagement with policy makers,” he added. “We need to amplify the African voice at the international level and adopt a common African position to policy decisions.”
Uganda’s growing influence in the standardisation space comes at a critical moment as the continent accelerates implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
With positions on both the ARSO Council and SMC, Uganda is now better positioned to shape the regulatory frameworks that underpin trade, industrialisation, and innovation across the region.
The triple victory not only elevates Uganda’s stature in international standardisation but also opens new opportunities for local industry to align with global best practices.
Uganda is now vying for the ISO Council seat under Group 4, and it's competing with Costa Rica.