Splash, Movit Sqoops top Awards at UNBS 15th Annual Quality Gala 2017!

By Andrew Irumba

The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has recognized companies for outstanding contribution in ensuring quality products and services on the Ugandan market.

The companies were recognized on Thursday, 30^th November 2017 at the UNBS Annual Quality Gala Awards held at Pearl of Africa Hotel in Kampala under the theme: “Promoting Ugandan Made Products”.

Britania Allied Ind.Ltd was voted by the Quality superintendents-UNBS as the 2017/2018 masterpiece for quality juice production under the beverages category with their natural fresh juice trade mark product-SPLASH, living Century Bottling Co.Ltd(Coca-Cola)and Harris International Ltd(Riham) partake of the 1^st and 2^nd Runner up slots respectively!

The Quality Awards came at a time when Uganda is promoting locally manufactured products under the Buy Uganda, Build Uganda Policy. Under the policy, UNBS is supporting Micro Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) to ensure that they meet the required standards. Last financial year, UNBS scaled up its certification activities by issuing 899 certification permits mainly to support MSMEs to gain access to regional and international markets.

It’s not the first time Britania is winning this Award; on addition the company has won several Awards including ISO, Presidential, KACITA, People’s Choice and UIA Awards severally.

At the event, workers of the Nyanama based Movit Products Ltd failed to control their prolonged excitement and laughters upon declaring them winner under the cosmetics category, beating stiff competition mounted by Mukwano Care Products and Royal Care Cosmetics Ltd who came in 1^st and 2^nd Runner ups respectively. Ululations could be heard from the invited company staff when the Cosmetics giants were few minutes later called again to pick their overall winner of the 2017/2018 UNBS 15^th Quality Gala Award!

Speaking at the Awards Ceremony, the Minister of State for Trade, Hon. Michael Werikhe, challenged entrepreneurs to take advantage of the Buy Uganda Build Uganda Policy by improving competitiveness of local products through standardization and quality assurance.

“If we are to promote industrialization, create jobs and spur economic growth of our great nation, locally manufactured goods should be able to get a fair share of the local market,” Hon. Werikhe said.

The UNBS Executive Director, Dr. Ben Manyindo said, “The UNBS has been engaging stakeholders in textile and furniture industry, which are the key priority areas under BUBU Policy, to promote standards and encourage the industry to certify their products and services to take advantage of the opportunities the BUBU Policy presents”.

“We believe this will go a long way in developing public confidence in the sector’s ability to develop quality products and to improve competitiveness of local products not just locally but also internationally,” Dr. Manyindo added.

The Executive Director of Uganda Private Sector Foundation (PSFU), Mr Gideon Badagawa, who delivered a key note address said: “The private sector considers the BUBU policy as one critically important policy that has been coined by government in recent times”.

“For Uganda to trade the path of inclusive growth we must focus attention to our own labour, manufacturers and service providers. Only then shall we be able to support internal capacities to develop our enterprises,” he added.

The UNBS Quality Gala is an annual event meant to recognize companies that have demonstrated consistency and excellence in complying with UNBS product and management systems certification requirements.

Britania is the first natural fresh fruit Juice processor in Uganda from mangoes, Pineapples, Apples, Passion fruits, Guava, Coconut and the newest one-Simply-Hibi from Hibiscus flowers.

Other products they manufacture include Biscuits in different varieties, Sun-Sip,Yo-Jus, Top-Up Sauces among others.

Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) is a statutory body responsible for developing and promoting standards and quality of products and services to facilitate fair trade, promote local industries and protect consumers.

Below is the full list of the 2017/2018 UNBS 15^th Annual Quality Gala Awards:

Agro processing (Large) Category

Winner: AK Oils&Fats (U) Ltd                      

1^st Runner Up: Kande Poultry Farm Limited

2^nd Runner Up: Yash Investment Limited

Agro Processing (MSMEs) Category

Winner: Tursam Investments Limited

1^st Runner Up: Arzat Food Suppliers Limited

2^nd Runner Up: Harmony Nutrifoods Limited

Beverages Category

Winner: Britania Allied Industries Limited

1^st Runner Up: Century Bottling Company Limited

2^nd Runner Up Hariss International Limited

Chemicals Category

Winner: Regal Paints (U) Limited

1^st Runner Up: Mukwano Industries Limited (Soap)

2^nd Runner Up: CCLE Rubber Company Limited

Construction Category

Winner: Hima Cement Ltd

1^st Runner Up: Roofings Mills Limited

2^nd Runner Up: Steel & Tube Industries Limited

Cosmetics Category

Winner: Movit Products Limited

1^st Runner Up: Mukwano Care Products

2^nd Runner Up: Royal Care Cosmetics

Electricals Category

Winner: Crane Roofing Limited

1^st Runner Up: Cable Corporation Limited

Foods Category

Winner: Hariss International Limited

1^st Runner Up: Bidco Uganda Limited

2^nd Runner Up: Sugar Corporation of Uganda

Services Category

Winner: Eagle Air Limited

1^st Runner Up: Huawei Technologies (U) Company Limited

2^nd Runner Up: Securex Agencies (U) Limited