Bureau Veritas expands footprint in Uganda

UGANDA – Bureau Veritas, global leader in certification, inspection, and testing services,  has marked a monumental moment with the opening of its new offices in Kampala, Uganda.

The expansion, celebrated in the presence of the Minister of State for Trade, David Bahati, underscores Bureau Veritas’s dedication to Uganda’s economic progress and the global competitiveness of its products.

At the celebratory event, Minister David Bahati highlighted the Ugandan government’s policies aimed at import substitution and export promotion.

Addressing the trade deficit—currently standing at U.S$7 billion in imports versus U.S$5 billion in exports—the Minister emphasized the critical role Bureau Veritas plays in instilling confidence in Ugandan products.

“One of the contributing factors to our trade deficit is that some people do not have much confidence in our products. This is where Bureau Veritas comes in to help verify the conformity of products so that people can gain confidence in our products,” said Minister Bahati.

He assured the company of the government’s unwavering support and encouraged the maintenance of product integrity.

H.E. Xavier Sticker, the French Ambassador to Uganda, praised Bureau Veritas’s role in providing Ugandan companies with international recognition and verification.

He lauded the company’s efforts, particularly in light of the Ugandan government’s emphasis on value addition, local content, and exports.

Ambassador Sticker encouraged Ugandan businesses to leverage Bureau Veritas’s 200 years of experience, highlighting the significance of stringent quality control in the global marketplace.

Bureau Veritas recently secured a contract with the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) to conduct comprehensive inspections on all imported cargo destined for Uganda.

Under this agreement, all imports are mandated to obtain a Certificate of Conformity (COC). This move ensures consumer protection from substandard products, promotes fair competition among traders, and contributes significantly to Uganda’s economic growth.

Edwin Kabuleeta, the Pre-Export Verification of Conformity Manager, oversees this project, ensuring strict adherence to established standards and bolstering Uganda’s reputation for quality exports.

Founded in 1828, Bureau Veritas has a longstanding history of providing independent assurance for product conformity to standards and regulations.

In 2010, the company made its foray into Uganda with just three employees. Now, in 2023, the company boasts 28 employees, working across five distinct business units: Government service/PVOC, Agrifood, Building and infrastructure, Oil and gas, and CTD.

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