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UNBS and TradeMark Africa Launch Regional Media Trainings to Strengthen Uganda’s Quality Ecosystem

March 5, 2026

In a strategic move to boost national quality standards and export competitiveness, the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) and TradeMark Africa (TMA), with funding from UK International Development, have kicked off a comprehensive media training program for journalists and content producers.

The training, taking place concurrently in Mukono and Mbale, has drawn selected media professionals from various parts of the country. The program aims to bridge the gap between technical quality infrastructure and public understanding, ensuring that reporting on standards becomes more accurate, impactful, and evidence based. Other trainings are scheduled in Jinja, Gulu and Mbarara to benefit over 150 participants.

Speaking at the start of the training, representatives from UNBS emphasized that the media is a primary partner in the Quality Agenda. By understanding the intricacies of legal metrology, product certification (The Q-Mark), and market surveillance, journalists can better protect consumers from substandard goods and help local MSMEs navigate the requirements for regional trade.

“If our export products are to thrive in the East African Community and international markets, the narrative around quality must be led by a knowledgeable media,” noted Daniel Arorwa, UNBS Manager of Market Surveillance.

The training goes beyond theory. Participants are engaged in:

  • Factchecking: Identifying genuine vs. forged certification marks.
  • Metrology: Understanding how precision in measurement prevents trade cheating.
  • Investigative Techniques: Reporting on market surveillance and product recalls without compromising legal evidence.

This initiative is directly aligned with Uganda’s Vision 2040 and the National Development Plan (NDP IV), which identify industrialization and export-led growth as key pillars for wealth creation.

By the end of the training, the participating journalists will be equipped to manage specialized “Standards Desks” within their media houses, ensuring that quality remains at the forefront of the national conversation.