Uganda National Bureau of Standards Addresses Cement Scam and Improves Service Delivery

Uganda's Trade Minister Sanjay Tanna instructed the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) to accelerate its performance, eliminate substandard products and make certification easier for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). In a meeting with the National Standards Council, the bureau reported that certified enterprises rose from 501 to 1,270 and its budget doubled to UGX 130 million for FY 2025/26, supporting a new five‑year strategic plan aligned with the country's ten‑fold growth strategy. UNBS highlighted staffing and funding gaps, noting it can staff only 34 of over 200 border points.

Separately, UNBS uncovered a cement scam in which dealers repackaged underweight cement into old bags after it left factories. Inspectors seized more than 880 tonnes of substandard goods worth about UGX 3 billion and closed three outlets in Mukono, Mbale and Nakasongola, arresting suspects. The bureau said 81 % of tested products now meet standards, up from 54 % seven years ago, and it certified roughly 2,500 SMEs in the last financial year.