Kigali, Rwanda: The Executive Director of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), Eng. James Kasigwa has been elected to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Council for the term 2026–2028, marking a major diplomatic and professional milestone for Uganda on the global standards stage.
The election took place during the ISO General Assembly held in Kigali on Thursday, October 09, where Uganda triumphed over Costa Rica to secure the seat.
Uganda’s bid was strongly endorsed by Rwanda, Tanzania, South Korea, and South Africa, making it the sole African representative on the ISO Council; a position first proposed during the 32nd African Organization for Standardization (ARSO) General Assembly in June 2025.
“The Executive Director of @UNBS @EngJamesKasigwa has been elected as a Council member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) @isostandards for the period 2026 to 2028. Uganda’s bid for membership in the ISO Council was premised on the conviction that standards are a silent yet critical force for sustainable socio-economic transformation and empowerment that developing economies can leverage for growth and competitiveness in a globalized world,” UNBS posted via X, formerly Twitter, on Friday morning.
In his maiden address following the election, Eng. Kasigwa expressed gratitude to the Government of Uganda and pledged to amplify the voice of developing countries in the global standardization system. “Developing countries constitute about 75% of ISO’s membership but remain significantly underrepresented in policy and technical decision-making,” he said.
“This imbalance threatens global inclusivity, and it’s time developing economies took their rightful place at the table.”
Eng. Kasigwa pledged to leverage Uganda’s success in building a strong standards regime to enhance developing countries’ participation in ISO’s policy and technical structures. His focus, he said, will be on promoting diversity, inclusion, and youth engagement within the ISO framework.
Standards as Engines of Transformation
A seasoned electrical engineer with a rich background in telecommunications and public policy, Eng. Kasigwa previously served as Uganda’s focal point for the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for over a decade.
He noted that Uganda’s leadership at ISO will emphasize standards as catalysts for enterprise growth, market access, and socio-economic transformation, particularly in Africa’s emerging economies. “The ongoing digital revolution presents an opportunity to bridge the gap between developed and developing economies through digitalization and smart standards,” he added.
Uganda’s successful ISO Council bid is grounded in the conviction that standards are silent enablers of sustainable development. Through this new role, Uganda is expected to contribute to shaping ISO’s agenda on key global challenges, including climate change, sustainable development, and public health.
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