UNBS Explains Product Testing Process, Timelines Amid Industry Concerns

4 March 2026, 8:38 am

By Annet Nakato

The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has outlined how products submitted for testing are handled, addressing concerns from some manufacturers who claim testing procedures are costly and timeconsuming.

Duncan Mugume Sample reception officer says one of the most common questions from clients relates to testing fees and turnaround time.

UNBS tests a wide range of products used in Uganda, including wines, construction materials, mattresses, petroleum products, and electrical items.

Some specialized equipment such as military hardware and bulky items like transformers are tested on site rather than at the laboratories.

Mugume noted that once samples arrive at UNBS laboratories, they are logged into a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), assigned identification numbers, and distributed to relevant departments including microbiology, chemistry, petroleum, electrical, and engineering materials.

The bureau says it operates on a “first in, first out” system, meaning samples are processed in the order they are received.For products like mattresses, which undergo mainly physical tests, results are typically released within 10 working days.

The maximum turnaround time for most products is 20 working days, although certain items like cement require mandatory 28-day tests.

Mugume attribute delays in some cases to clients sending intermediaries who may not fully understand testing requirements, emphasizing that clear communication helps speed up the process.