UNBS ROT EXPOSED! Inside Mega Probe Into Corruption, Bribes, Fake Goods & Sh138bn Mystery
The Ugandan Parliament is investigating the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) over allegations of corruption, governance failures, and the inability to effectively regulate counterfeit goods. Stakeholders argue that understaffing and poor leadership are hindering the agency's ability to support SMEs and protect consumers.
Why it matters
The probe highlights critical governance issues in a national regulatory body that impacts 20% of Uganda's GDP and millions of workers.
Parliament’s Committee on Tourism, Trade and Industry has intensified its inquiry into the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), placing the standards regulator at the centre of scrutiny over allegations of poor governance, delayed certification, weak enforcement of standards and complaints that its processes are stifling business growth rather than facilitating trade.
The committee started its probe on Wednesday by receiving evidence from stakeholders including Uganda Revenue Authority on the complaints by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) on historical leadership, governance, and the constitutional mandate of UNBS. On Thursday, the committee met officials from the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU), former UNBS directors and other stakeholders as part of an investigation that was carried over from the 11th Parliament.
The inquiry seeks to establish whether leadership and governance failures in UNBS have undermined its constitutional mandate of protecting consumers while promoting trade and industrial growth.
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