The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), in partnership with TradeMark Africa (TMA) and with funding from UK International Development (UKaid), has honored eight outstanding journalists at the inaugural Standards & Metrology Media Awards 2026
The awards ceremony held at the UNBS Headquarters in Bweyogerere, celebrated media professionals who excelled in making complex topics in quality infrastructure standards, metrology, fair trade and consumer protection accessible and impactful to the Ugandan public.
The awards capped a vigorous media engagement drive that trained 150 journalists across five regional hubs in early March 2026. From this initiative, 64 entries were submitted stories published between March 12 and 19, 2026. An independent panel of judges from the Makerere University Department of Journalism and Communication assessed the entries on criteria including accuracy, depth, and public impact.
Eng. James Kasigwa, Executive Director of UNBS, highlighted the media’s pivotal role in advancing 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,” he said. “These journalists are our ‘Quality Ambassadors’ who translate technical science into actionable knowledge for every Ugandan.”
Regional Winners (each received 500,000 UGX and a Certificate of Excellence):
Best Northern : Jesse Johnson James (Vision Group) “The Mark they cannot see: When consumer protection leaves the blind behind”
Best Greater Kampala Metropolitan Ssekimuli Fred (Mukono FM 92.7) “Public outcry on standards gaps”
Best Eastern: Phoebe Masongole (Daily Monitor) “Quality coffee: The money minting machine for Bugisu women”
Best Western : Kiiza Innocent (Rwenzori Daily) “Measured in Sacks, Not Scales: The Silent Struggle of Lake Katwe’s Artisanal Salt Miners”
Best Central: Davis Buyondo (Vision Group / The Insight Post) “When protecting consumers becomes a dangerous job”
National Winners (each received 1,000,000 UGX and a Certificate of Excellence):
Best Male National: Chowoo Willy (The Elephant) “Inside Gulu’s Regional Laboratory: Shaping Quality in Uganda’s markets”
Best Female National: Doreen Bazio (Media for All) “From Survival to Standards”
Special Mention (200,000 UGX and Special Recognition Certificate):
Lydia Felly Akullu (NTV) “BANNED COSMETICS ON SALE: How products are being sold on social media platforms”
Anna Nambooze, Country Director at TradeMark Africa, underscored the importance of robust standards for economic growth.
“Certification is the key to unlocking Uganda’s export performance,” she said. “When the media highlights the success of standard compliant MSMEs, they drive national competitiveness in regional and global markets.”
Nambooze added that initiatives like the UNBS Standards & Metrology Media Initiative help local producers and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) access regional and international markets, including under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The programme, implemented by Ultimate Multimedia Consult (UMC), has also established dedicated “Standards Desks” in 12 media houses to sustain professional and consistent coverage of quality infrastructure issues in Uganda.
TradeMark Africa (TMA) is a leading African trade facilitation agency established in 2010. Operating as a non-profit, TMA works to boost prosperity through expanded and efficient trade.
In Uganda, it collaborates closely with UNBS and other government agencies to empower the private sector, promote transparency and support economic transformation via informed trade practices.
Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) is the government agency mandated to develop, promote, and enforce national standards. Its work protects public health and safety, ensures fair trade and enhances the global competitiveness of Ugandan products.
The event reflects a growing recognition that informed high quality journalism on standards and metrology is essential for consumer protection, business growth, and Uganda’s broader development goals.
