MPs Grill Standards Council Chair Over UMA Affiliation, Engineer Title

Members of Parliament have expressed serious reservations about James Kalibbala’s dual role as Chairperson of the National Standards Council and a member of the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) Advisory Council. The parliamentary committee on Tourism, Trade and Industry questioned whether this affiliation creates a conflict of interest, as the National Standards Council, through the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), is tasked with regulating manufacturers.

Committee Chairperson Hon. Boniface Okot directly challenged Kalibbala, asking if his position on the UMA advisory board compromised his role as an independent regulator. Kalibbala, who has extensive experience but is not registered with the Uganda Engineers Registration Board, defended his position by stating that the council regulates individual businesses, not the UMA institution itself.

Legal expert and council member Stella Nyapendi indicated that while she advises on conflict of interest matters, she has not formally addressed the chairperson’s specific situation, noting that the appointing authority had already selected the council members. However, the committee emphasized its responsibility to ensure the National Standards Council maintains public confidence and operational independence.

The inquiry, which initially stemmed from concerns over the UNBS Executive Director’s leave, has broadened to scrutinize the qualifications, experience, and affiliations of the National Standards Council members. The committee also demanded that Kalibbala and other council members provide their academic certificates and curricula vitae for verification, particularly regarding Kalibbala’s use of the ‘Engineer’ title.

The committee aims to determine if the council’s composition and external ties align with the necessary standards for overseeing Uganda’s national quality assurance framework.

Source: Parliament of Uganda