The State Minister for Investment and Privatization, Evelyn Anite, has announced the new guidelines for the procurement of grain and grain products in Uganda to ensure quality maximization.

This initiative aims at enhancing the quality of grain traded both locally and within the East African Community.

Anite made these remarks during a press briefing at the Uganda Media Centre on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, in Kampala.

She emphasized the government’s commitment to improving grain quality in line with the National Grain Trade Policy of 2015, which mandates that all public entities source grain from providers certified by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS).

“Despite Uganda’s significant role in regional grain trade, local products have faced rejections due to issues like aflatoxin contamination stemming from poor post-harvest management practices,” Anite said.

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Anite noted that in order to address these challenges, the UNBS has established various standards and certified over 630 maize product providers, with a production capacity exceeding 217,000 tons monthly.

“The new procurement guideline No. 13 of 2024, issued by the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA), mandates that all government entities procure grain from UNBS-certified providers,” she added.

The minister further stated that these guidelines were effective from August 23, 2024, and they will also apply to primary and secondary schools starting January 2025.

Minister Anite highlighted that this initiative is crucial for safeguarding human and animal health and promoting cross-border trade.

The guidelines will be distributed to all relevant accounting officers and made accessible on the PPDA web portal.