KAMPALA, Uganda— The Uganda National Bureau of Standards urged users of measuring equipment, from street vendors to industrial labs, to calibrate and verify their instruments as Uganda marked World Metrology Day on Tuesday. The call emphasizes ensuring accuracy, promoting fairness and protecting consumers.
The observance coincides with the 150th anniversary of the Metre Convention, signed in Paris in 1875, which established a globally unified measurement system.
This year’s theme, “Measurements for all times, for all people,” highlights the ongoing importance of accurate and inclusive measurements in shaping society.
“Whether you are measuring sugar in a market, fuel at a station, or chemical ingredients in a lab, accurate measurements are vital,” UNBS said. “Calibrated instruments ensure fair pricing, product quality, and safety — benefiting both businesses and consumers.”
Metrology, the science of accurate measurement, is fundamental to daily life, impacting trade, health care, agriculture, energy, justice, infrastructure and science. The necessary precision varies; a butcher’s scale doesn’t require the same sensitivity as an analytical balance in pharmaceutical production.
Maintaining internationally comparable measurements is crucial amid global trade and technological collaboration.
“A kilogram in Uganda must be the same as a kilogram in Kenya or Japan,” a UNBS official noted, attributing this consistency to internationally traceable calibration systems.
UNBS maintains Uganda’s measurement integrity through its National Metrology Laboratory, which is responsible for national measurement standards and offers calibration services traceable to international benchmarks. A new, state-of-the-art National Metrology Laboratory is nearing completion at UNBS headquarters, expected to significantly enhance the country’s precision measurement capabilities.
Uganda’s participation in global initiatives coordinated by the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures and the International Organization of Legal Metrology ensures alignment with international standards. These partnerships help local industries compete globally while ensuring accurate, legal and reliable measurement practices.
UNBS encourages businesses and individuals to use its calibration services by applying online at https://nml.unbs.go.ug. Equipment verified by UNBS carries a certification sticker, indicating trust and compliance.
As the world reflects on 150 years of metrological cooperation, UNBS acknowledged the contributions of metrology professionals and the Ugandan government’s support for advanced measurement infrastructure.
World Metrology Day serves as a reminder of the essential role measurements play in fostering innovation, fairness and safety across society.
