KAMPALA – The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), in collaboration with the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation, has officially inaugurated the Packaging Centre of Excellence (PCOE). Launched during National Science Week 2026 at Kololo Independence Grounds, the facility aims to address the technical “presentation gap” currently hindering Ugandan manufactured goods in international markets.
The PCOE is designed to serve as a central hub for innovation, providing local enterprises with the technical infrastructure required to meet rigorous global standards. Dr. Monica Musenero, Minister for Science, Technology, and Innovation, noted that the centre will focus on improving branding, preservation, and regulatory compliance.
Central to this initiative is the UNBS mandate to transition from a traditional regulatory body to a trade facilitator. Speaking on the bureau’s evolving role, a UNBS official stated: “Most people are taking UNBS as a policing entity, which is not true. Yes, we are an enforcer, but the issue of enforcement is a last resort. We are primarily a trade facilitator, a trade enabler.”
Local manufacturers have already highlighted the commercial impact of standardisation. One entrepreneur remarked: “Getting the UNBS certificate has really given us credibility in the market. Before, big supermarkets would say your product is beautiful, but we cannot take it on because you do not have the Q-mark.”
To improve accessibility, UNBS has digitised its Certification Information Management System and expanded its laboratory network to Gulu, Mbale, and Mbarara. These regional facilities have attained international accreditation, ensuring that local test results are recognised globally. The PCOE, integrated into this ecosystem, is expected to provide a “one-stop” solution for manufacturers to align their packaging with legal metrology and safety requirements.