KAMPALA, Uganda – Uganda has secured a major diplomatic and technical victory in the field of standards and quality assurance, following its election to three key leadership positions in continental and international standardization bodies.
During the recently concluded 31st General Assembly of the African Organisation for Standardization (ARSO) held in Zanzibar, Uganda — represented by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) — emerged as a leading voice in Africa’s push for harmonized trade standards and regulatory coherence.
In a show of continental confidence and endorsement, three significant milestones were achieved:
Endorsement for ISO Council Seat
Uganda’s candidate, Eng. James Kasigwa, Executive Director of UNBS, received Africa’s official endorsement for election to the Council of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) under Group 4 for the 2026–2028 term. The election will take place at the ISO Annual Meeting in Kigali, Rwanda in October 2025.
Election to ARSO Council
Uganda was voted to the ARSO Council, the key policy-making organ responsible for overseeing the activities of ARSO and reporting to its General Assembly. Eng. Kasigwa will represent Uganda for a three-year term starting July 2025 to June 2028.
Election to ARSO Standards Management Committee (SMC)
In addition, Uganda was elected to the ARSO Standards Management Committee, which oversees the harmonization of African Standards. Mr. Joel Peter Oryang, UNBS’s Head of Regional and International Liaison, will represent Uganda on the committee for the same three-year period.
These achievements signal growing recognition of Uganda’s leadership in advancing technical and policy frameworks for standardization both regionally and internationally.
Speaking after the elections, Eng. Kasigwa expressed gratitude to ARSO member states for their trust and called for continued support ahead of the upcoming ISO Council elections.
“Our key priority areas at the ISO Council include diversity, digital transformation, and deeper engagement with policymakers,” said Kasigwa. “We must amplify Africa’s voice on the global stage and drive a unified continental approach to standards development.”
The triple victory positions Uganda at the forefront of shaping trade-friendly standards aligned with the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the East African Community, and broader international markets.
If successful in the ISO Council elections, Uganda will occupy the Group 4 seat currently contested with Costa Rica, providing a strategic platform to advocate for Africa’s standardization agenda on the global stage.
