In response to recent challenges faced by Ugandan maize products in regional markets, particularly Kenya and South Sudan, the Ugandan government is implementing new measures to ensure compliance with quality standards.
The East African Standards Committee intervened in the situation involving dozens of trucks being barred from entering South Sudan.
Under the new measures, all maize products will have to be inspected before the trucks are allowed to proceed to the respective border crossing points.
Uganda already has several standards in place for maize products, including those for maize grains, milled maize (corn) products, and labeling of pre-packaged foods.
The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has advised maize exporters to acquire copies of these standards and adhere to the specified requirements. To ensure compliance, exporters are required to establish suitable yards for assembling trucks for sampling. These yards should be accessible, secure, and free from dust and mud. Exporters must also provide sealable trucks to securely hold sampled products.
Trucks meeting the standards will be released to proceed to the border under the UNBS seal. Those failing the test will be managed according to established procedures. Exporters are also mandated to present ownership documents and a valid UNBS Certification Permit.
Packaging must adhere to specific guidelines, including clear labeling with product details, manufacturer information, batch, net weight, storage instructions, expiration date, and more.
Exporters are responsible for covering the costs of the sampling process, including labor and laboratory analysis. The owner of the consignment is accountable for the safety of the UNBS seal, sealed trucks, and their contents.
UNBS encourages exporters to maintain standard practices and uphold order and security of consignments. Violations may lead to the withdrawal of UNBS involvement in the arrangement.