UNBS, TRADEMARK AFRICA CELEBRATE JOURNALISTIC EXCELLENCE AT THE INAUGURAL STANDARDS & METROLOGY MEDIA AWARDS 2026

  24th March , 2026     HITS: 299

The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), in partnership with TradeMark Africa (TMA) with support from UK International Development (UKaid), has today honoured eight outstanding journalists at the inaugural Standards & Metrology Media Awards 2026. The ceremony, held at the UNBS Headquarters in Bweyogerere, recognized media professionals who demonstrated exceptional skill in demystifying the complex world of quality infrastructure, fair trade, and consumer protection.

The awards follow a high-intensity media engagement initiative that saw 150 journalists trained across five regional hubs in early March. A total of 64 entries were submitted for stories published between March 12th and 19th, 2026. These entries were evaluated by an independent panel of judges from the Makerere University Department of Journalism and Communication based on accuracy, impact, and depth.

Speaking at the ceremony, Eng. James Kasigwa, Executive Director of UNBS, emphasized the strategic role of the media in achieving Uganda’s Vision 2040. “A country is only as strong as its standards, and a standard is only as strong as the public’s belief in it. Now, journalists are our 'Quality Ambassadors' who translate technical science into actionable knowledge for every Ugandan,” he noted.

The 2026 Standards & Metrology Journalism Award Winners are:

Regional Winners:

Northern Uganda: Jesse Johnson James (Vision Group) for "The Mark they cannot see: When consumer protection leaves the blind behind".

• Kampala Metropolitan Area: Ssekimuli Fred (Mukono FM 92.7) for "Public outcry on standards gaps".
• Eastern Uganda: Phoebe Masongole (Daily Monitor) for "Quality coffee: The money minting machine for Bugisu women".
• Western Uganda: Kiiza Innocent (Rwenzori Daily) for "Measured in Sacks, Not Scales: The Silent Struggle of Lake Katwe’s Artisanal Salt Miners".
• Central Uganda: Davis Buyondo (Vision Group / The Insight Post) for "When protecting consumers becomes a dangerous job".

National Winners:  

• Best Male : Chowoo Willy (The Elephant) for "Inside Gulu’s Regional Laboratory: Shaping Quality in Uganda’s markets".
• Best Female: Doreen Bazio (Media for All) for "From Survival to Standards".

Special Mention:

• Lydia Felly Akullu (NTV) for her investigation into "BANNED COSMETICS ON SALE: How products are being sold on social media platforms".

Anna Nambooze, Country Director at TradeMark Africa, reaffirmed the organization's commitment to building a strong quality ecosystem. “Certification is the key to unlocking Uganda’s export performance. When the media highlights the success of standard-compliant Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), they drive national competitiveness in regional and global markets,” she said.

Nambooze says by supporting initiatives like the UNBS Standards & Metrology Media Initiative, TMA helps local producers and MSMEs access regional and international markets, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The initiative, implemented by Ultimate Multimedia Consult (UMC), has also led to the establishment of dedicated "Standards Desks" in 12 media houses to ensure continuous, professional coverage of quality infrastructure in Uganda.

About TradeMark Africa (TMA):

TradeMark Africa (TMA) is a leading African trade-facilitation agency established in 2010. It operates as a non-profit organization with the primary goal of growing prosperity through increased trade. In Uganda, TMA continues to collaborate with the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) among other government agencies, to empower the private sector, enhance transparency, and drive economic transformation through informed trade practices.

About UNBS

The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) is a Government Agency responsible for developing, promoting and enforcing national standards in protection of Public Health and Safety, and the Environment against harmful and sub-standard products, ensuring fairness in trade and precision in industry through reliable measurement systems; and Strengthening the economy of Uganda by assuring the quality of locally manufactured products through product certification (Q mark) and systems certification to enhance the competitiveness of exports in regional and international markets.

For more information, please contact:

Sylvia Kirabo,

Principal Public Relations Officer,

Telephone: 256 417 333250 / 0703 196903

E-mail: sylvia.kirabo@unbs.go.ug