Tayari News
The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has joined the global community in commemorating World Metrology Day, highlighting the critical role of accurate measurement in promoting fairness in trade, safeguarding consumers, and strengthening evidence-based policy making.
Speaking during the commemoration, the Executive Director of UNBS, Eng. James Kasigwa, emphasized that metrology, the science of measurement remains central to Uganda’s socio-economic transformation agenda, cutting across key sectors including health, agriculture, infrastructure, energy, and industry.
Eng. Kasigwa highlighted that in many everyday transactions, particularly in informal markets, goods are still sold without standard measurements, a practice that can undermine fairness and consumer confidence.
He noted that strengthening measurement systems is essential in promoting trust, improving market efficiency, and supporting sustainable business growth.
In the health sector, he stressed the importance of properly calibrated medical equipment in ensuring accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
He cautioned that the use of uncalibrated devices can lead to misdiagnosis and unnecessary long-term treatment, placing avoidable strain on the health system. He therefore called for enhanced compliance with measurement standards across all healthcare facilities.
On the energy front, Eng. Kasigwa underscored the importance of accurate measurement in the petroleum sector to ensure that consumers receive the correct quantities of fuel and that national resources are properly accounted for.
He further noted that precision in measurement is critical as Uganda advances in the development of its oil and gas industry, where estimates of reserves are derived from scientific and technical surveys.
In infrastructure development, he pointed out the need for strict adherence to measurement standards in construction materials and engineering works, particularly road infrastructure, to ensure durability, safety, and value for public investment.
The agricultural sector was also highlighted, with emphasis on the role of metrology in reducing post-harvest losses, particularly those linked to aflatoxins caused by improper moisture content in grains.
He observed that simple measurement tools, such as moisture meters, can significantly improve food safety and productivity when effectively applied.
Eng. Kasigwa further noted that metrology will play an increasingly important role in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, where technologies such as artificial intelligence, automation, and electric mobility rely heavily on precision and data accuracy.
He observed that global evidence demonstrates significant economic returns from investment in national quality infrastructure, including standards, measurement systems, and certification frameworks, and called for sustained investment in this area to support Uganda’s economic growth aspirations.
The Executive Director called for strengthened collaboration between government, regulators, academia, and industry to ensure that all policies and regulatory frameworks are anchored in reliable measurement systems that support fairness, innovation, and competitiveness.
UNBS reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Uganda’s metrology systems as a cornerstone for enhancing consumer protection, supporting industrial growth, and advancing national development goals.