Written By |
The minister cited the council's unsatisfactory performance and inability to perform its functions as outlined in Section 8 of the UNBS Act as reasons for the dissolution
Search
By Our Reporter
Trade Minister Francis Mwebesa has dissolved the 9th National Standards Council (NSC), the policy-making body of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), due to unsatisfactory performance.
In a letter dated October 8, 2024, the minister stated that it had come to his attention that the 9th NSC had been continuously involved in unjustified cases of undue influence and interference, leading him to question its ability to fulfill its duties effectively.
“I have come to the difficult but necessary decision to dissolve the 9th National Standards Council because its continued stay would hinder the effective and sustainable delivery of the Bureau’s mandate. This includes safeguarding the public and ensuring that products and services meet quality, health, safety, and environmental standards. Its actions have also caused the Bureau significant reputational and financial damage,” Mwebesa wrote.
The minister also cited the council's unsatisfactory performance and inability to perform its functions as outlined in Section 8 of the UNBS Act as reasons for the dissolution. He instructed the council chairperson, Charles Musekuura, and the members to vacate their offices immediately, stating that his decision takes effect right away. The letter was copied to the Prime Minister, the Attorney General, junior ministers, and the Inspector General of Government (IGG), among others.
In a prior letter dated July 4, 2023, IGG Beti Kamya had informed Musekuura of a complaint alleging that, as chairperson of the council, he had exerted undue influence on members of the contracts and evaluation committees of UNBS. The allegations were related to the procurement process for the provision of Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) services, reportedly favoring a single service provider, M/S QUISJ.
