Kigali, Rwanda: The Executive Director of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), Eng. James Kasigwa has been elected to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Council for the term 2026–2028, marking a major diplomatic and professional milestone for Uganda on the global standards stage.
The election took place during the ISO General Assembly held in Kigali on Thursday, October 09, where Uganda triumphed over Costa Rica to secure the seat.
Uganda’s bid was strongly endorsed by Rwanda, Tanzania, South Korea, and South Africa, making it the sole African representative on the ISO Council; a position first proposed during the 32nd African Organization for Standardization (ARSO) General Assembly in June 2025.
Overview:
The election, which saw Uganda triumph over Costa Rica, took place during the ISO General Assembly held in Kigali, Rwanda on October 9, 2025—a momentous occasion coinciding with Uganda’s 63rd Independence Anniversary.
The Executive Director of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), Eng. James Kasigwa, has been elected as a Council Member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for the term 2026–2028.
The election, which saw Uganda triumph over Costa Rica, took place during the ISO General Assembly held in Kigali, Rwanda on October 9, 2025—a momentous occasion coinciding with Uganda’s 63rd Independence Anniversary.
Uganda’s nomination was formally proposed by Rwanda, Tanzania, the Republic of Korea (South), and South Africa, and it was endorsed as the sole African candidate during the 32nd African Organization for Standardization (ARSO) General Assembly in June 2025.
In his maiden address as a newly elected ISO Council Member, Eng. Kasigwa expressed deep gratitude to the Government of Uganda for its unwavering support and pledged to amplify the voice of developing countries within the ISO Council.
“Uganda’s unique perspective, as a developing nation with a rapidly evolving economy, will enrich ISO’s policy and strategic deliberations and enhance the global relevance of international standards,”
said Eng. Kasigwa.
He noted that although developing countries constitute nearly 75% of ISO’s membership, their participation in policy and technical work remains limited, which risks diminishing their global influence.
“I will ensure that we leverage our experience in standardization to advocate for greater participation of all members in ISO’s technical and policy work.
My focus as Council Member will be on promoting diversity and inclusiveness in the ISO system—particularly through the engagement of developing economies, women, and youth,”
he added.
Eng. Kasigwa emphasized that the digital revolution presents a powerful opportunity to bridge the gap between developed and developing economies, calling for the adoption of digitalization initiatives across the ISO community.
Uganda’s successful bid was anchored on the belief that standards are a silent yet powerful force for sustainable socio-economic transformation—a tool developing economies can leverage to foster growth, innovation, and competitiveness in the global marketplace.
With a background as an electrical engineer and extensive experience in telecommunications and public policy, Eng. Kasigwa brings a wealth of technical and leadership expertise to the ISO Council. He previously served as Uganda’s focal point to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for over a decade.
As a member of the ISO Council, Uganda will contribute to strengthening the relevance and impact of ISO standards in addressing global challenges, including:
- Climate Change
- Sustainable Development
- Public Health
Background Information
About the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS)
The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) was established by the UNBS Act Cap 210 under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives and became operational in 1989. It serves as Uganda’s national standards body and the official ISO member for Uganda.
UNBS Mandate:
- Formulate and promote the use of standards.
- Enforce standards to protect public health, safety, and the environment from substandard products.
- Ensure fairness in trade and precision in industry through reliable measurement systems.
- Strengthen Uganda’s economy by assuring the quality of locally manufactured products and enhancing export competitiveness.
About the International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
Founded in 1946, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is an independent, non-governmental international organization that brings together experts from 174 national standards bodies to develop consensus-based international standards that facilitate trade and cooperation worldwide.
Uganda’s Involvement in ISO
Uganda has been an active ISO member since 1990 and is ranked in Group 4 within the ISO Council structure.
Through UNBS, Uganda actively participates in 121 ISO technical committees, contributing to the development of international standards in key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, ICT, tourism, and services.