KENAS and UGANAS Seal Twinning Agreement to Boost Accreditation in East Africa

In a landmark move poised to transform the accreditation landscape in East Africa, the Kenya Accreditation Service (KENAS) and the Uganda National Accreditation Services (UGANAS) have officially signed a twinning agreement. This milestone not only deepens regional cooperation but also initiates a joint mechanism that will see both institutions assess and accredit Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) operating within Uganda.

A Shared Vision for Quality and Trust

The newly signed agreement operationalizes a twinning procedure designed to fast-track the accreditation of over 200 medical laboratories in Uganda. Through this collaborative framework, KENAS and UGANAS will combine technical resources and expertise to deliver more efficient, credible, and internationally aligned accreditation services.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr. Patrick Ogwok, representing Uganda’s Ministry of Health, emphasized that “accreditation is a critical pillar to the wealth and health of the people of Uganda and the East African region at large.” He further noted that this partnership will significantly uplift the country’s healthcare system through quality-assured medical laboratory services.

Accelerating Trade Through Quality Assurance

On his part, Dr. Walter Ongeti, CEO of KENAS, hailed the agreement as a catalyst for deeper trade integration and enhanced quality infrastructure across East Africa. “Kenya and Uganda are strong trading partners. For this trade to be sustainable and beneficial, we need equally strong accreditation bodies that underpin confidence in the goods and services exchanged,” he remarked.

Dr. Ongeti further noted that the twinning procedure will accelerate the onboarding of more CABs in the region, bolstering conformity assessment activities and, in turn, enhancing the quality, safety, and competitiveness of products and services across the continent.