Mrs Sylvia Kirabo, Principal Public Relations Officer and Spokesperson of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), has highlighted the need to reshape how standards and quality assurance are reported in Uganda.
Speaking at the Standards and Metrology Journalism Awards 2026, Kirabo noted that for a long time, reporting on standards has largely been enforcement-focused and driven by a “police-versus-thief” narrative, which often portrays standards as barriers to business rather than enablers of growth.
She explained that through a targeted media capacity-building initiative, UNBS is now working to shift this narrative by equipping journalists with practical knowledge and tools to report more accurately and constructively on standards, metrology, and certification processes.
Kirabo highlighted that journalists have undergone regional trainings across the country, where they were empowered to simplify complex concepts such as weights, measurements, and calibration, helping the public better understand how standards protect everyday consumers.
The initiative also introduced media practitioners to digital tools, including the UNBS mobile app and e-portal, to enhance fact-checking and verification of certified products.
She further emphasised that the programme promotes inclusive trade by encouraging reporting that highlights opportunities for micro, small and medium enterprises, as well as women and youth, positioning standards as a pathway to market access and competitiveness.
To drive impactful storytelling, Kirabo revealed that the initiative provided technical mentorship and competitive story grants, enabling journalists to produce in-depth investigative content.
She noted that the majority of finalists in the awards actively participated in the trainings and utilised the grants to develop high-quality stories.
Kirabo described the outcomes as clear evidence that building media capacity can transform public understanding, strengthen consumer confidence, and support fair competition, ultimately contributing to Uganda’s industrial growth and trade development.
