The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has signed a $1.5 million (UGX 5.5 billion) partnership agreement with TradeMark Africa (TMA) to help micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) meet international market standards.
The agreement will strengthen UNBS’s capacity to support agro-industrial MSMEs in standardization, ensuring Ugandan products compete in regional and global markets. It aligns with Uganda’s National Development Plan IV and the broader goal of expanding the economy from $50 billion to $500 billion by 2040.
Speaking at the signing ceremony in Bweyogerere, TMA Country Director Anna Nambooze highlighted the critical role of MSMEs in Uganda’s economy.
“The government has made it easier to start businesses, but supportive systems to guide MSMEs through their growth journey remain insufficient. To boost Uganda’s exports, capacity building for MSMEs is critical to appreciate standards and integrate them into their operations from inception,” she said.
UNBS Executive Director Eng. James Kasigwa welcomed the support, noting that it comes as UNBS focuses on growing MSMEs by guiding them to meet quality standards.
“In the next five years, we are going to grow MSMEs and strengthen their ability to supply the domestic and export market. This will boost industrialization, import substitution, and export promotion,” he said.
The 12-month partnership will fund initiatives such as mobile quality assurance testing for border communities, accreditation services for regional laboratories, and equipment upgrades at the Busia border post laboratory. It will also support training in food safety, certification, and compliance for both public and private sector players.
UNBS acknowledged the support from TMA and its partners, including the Danish Government, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), and the European Union.
The initiative is expected to enhance Uganda’s trade competitiveness by ensuring MSMEs produce goods that meet global safety and quality standards.