UNBS Tightens Checks on Electrical Goods to Block Substandard Imports

What the report says

The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) says it is stepping up inspection and conformity assessment for electrical and electronic products to help keep unsafe, counterfeit and substandard goods out of the Ugandan market. The announcement follows a two-day technical engagement with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) focused on improving Uganda’s use of international electrotechnical standards.

According to Nile Post, the training was meant to strengthen the skills of UNBS technical officers and members of Uganda’s IEC National Committee in evaluating conformity claims and using the country’s membership more effectively. Uganda became an associate member of the IEC in 2020, which gives it access to global standards that can later be adopted locally to test the safety, quality and performance of products such as appliances, cables, solar systems, lighting and renewable energy equipment.

UNBS Executive Director Eng. James Kasigwa said tighter implementation is needed as imports and use of electrical and electronic products continue to rise. The bureau said it has already adopted more than 288 IEC standards, and that most testing in its electrical laboratory is based on IEC rules. The latest training also covered conformity schemes for appliances, renewable energy technologies and equipment used in explosive environments.

The strengthened cooperation is intended to support import inspections, market surveillance and pre-export verification, while helping regulators spot products that do not meet required standards. IEC regional official François Ahoti said Africa’s participation in international standard-setting remains important for consumer safety and market confidence.