Uganda has made a big mark on the international stage by winning three important leadership positions in the field of standards. Through the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), the country has shown strong leadership in setting and managing quality standards across Africa and beyond.
These achievements came during the 31st General Assembly of the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) held in Zanzibar under the theme: “Accelerating Fair and Just Trade in Africa under the African Continental Free Trade Area.”
The first major achievement is that Uganda was officially endorsed as Africa’s candidate for the ISO Council under Group 4 for the 2026–2028 term. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is the world’s leading body in developing standards that ensure the safety, quality, and efficiency of products and services.
Uganda will now compete with Costa Rica for a seat on the ISO Council during elections scheduled for October 2025 in Kigali, Rwanda. If elected, Uganda will have the chance to represent Africa and influence global decisions on standards.
Secondly, Uganda was elected to the ARSO Council, which is the main policy-making team within the African standardization body. This council guides ARSO’s activities and reports to its General Assembly. Uganda will be represented by Eng. James Kasigwa, the Executive Director of UNBS, for the period between July 2025 and June 2028. His leadership has already been recognized across Africa, and this new position will allow Uganda to play a more active role in shaping how standards are developed and used across the continent.
The third victory is Uganda’s election to ARSO’s Standards Management Committee (SMC). This committee is responsible for making sure African standards are well harmonized and implemented in the right way. Mr. Joel Peter Oryang, Head of Regional and International Liaison at UNBS, will represent Uganda on this committee for the same three-year period.
These three wins show that Uganda is becoming a trusted voice in the world of standards. They also highlight the confidence that other African countries have in Uganda’s ability to lead. According to Eng. Kasigwa, Uganda’s focus at the ISO Council will be on important issues like diversity, digital transformation, and engagement with policymakers. He stressed the need to “amplify the African voice” at the global level so that the continent has a strong say in decisions that affect trade, safety, and development.
This new leadership will help Uganda and Africa as a whole to trade better, more fairly, and more widely. It will also support the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the East African Community (EAC) by making it easier for African goods and services to meet global standards and reach international markets.
With UNBS leading the way, Uganda is not only protecting its people from harmful and substandard products but also helping Africa compete better in global trade. These achievements show that with strong leadership and a clear vision, African countries can play a bigger role in shaping the world’s future.
