Quality Infrastructure
We conducts specialized research to strengthen national and regional Quality Infrastructure (QI) systems that support food safety and international trade. Our work focuses on identifying gaps in standards and technical regulatory frameworks for food safety, SPS and quality; and the associated measurement systems, testing and detection capacity, and conformity assessment performance, to improve accuracy, reliability, and regulatory compliance. We also evaluate accreditation needs, regulatory effectiveness, and market surveillance systems to promote trusted certification and safer products.
RESEARCH SERVICES
Strengthening Quality Infrastructure for Food Safety and Trade
The National Food Safety Institute (NFSI) is Uganda’s premier research entity dedicated to advancing food safety through a robust Quality Infrastructure (QI). Our mandate is to conduct specialized, evidence-based research that strengthens national and regional QI systems, thereby supporting public health, facilitating international trade, and enhancing the competitiveness of Ugandan and African products in the global market.
We operate at the intersection of science, policy, and industry, serving as a bridge between laboratory innovation and regulatory implementation.
Standards and Technical Regulatory Frameworks
We analyze the alignment of national standards with international requirements set by the Codex Alimentarius, the World Trade Organization (WTO), and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Research Activities
- Gap analysis of Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures,
- Comparative studies of regional technical regulations
- Development of harmonized standards for unique African products
Metrology and Testing Systems
Accurate measurement is the foundation of trust. We investigate the capacity of national testing laboratories to deliver precise, reliable results.
Research Activities
- Assessment of metrology infrastructure,
- Evaluation of testing methodologies for food contaminants and residues
- Development of certified reference materials (CRMs) for indigenous African food products to ensure “Once Tested, Accepted Everywhere” .
Conformity Assessment and Accreditation
We evaluate the performance of inspection and certification bodies to ensure they operate at international competence levels.
Research Activities:
- Mapping accreditation readiness against ISO/IEC 17025 standards,
- Evaluating the effectiveness of quality management systems
- Analyzing the impact of proficiency testing on laboratory performance
Regulatory Effectiveness and Market Surveillance
Effective policy requires effective enforcement. Our research assesses how regulations are implemented on the ground.
Research Activities:
- Evaluating border inspection frameworks,
- Analyzing coordination between regulatory agencies
- Assessing market surveillance systems that promote trusted certification and protect consumers from unsafe products
Why Investment in QI Research is Critical
Despite the opportunities presented by the AfCFTA, Africa’s food safety systems face persistent challenges that our research seeks to address:
- Severe staffing shortages limit oversight and responsiveness at critical border points hence resulting in inadequate inspection and certification of imports.
- Limited technical support for African SMEs to implement international standards and obtaining certification
- Lack of dedicated laboratories, sample transport, and modern equipment (e.g., cargo scanners, spectrophotometers) at key entry points and facilities.
- Poor communication between border and inland teams leads to fragmented mandates and delayed interventions.
- Lack of certified reference materials and validated testing methods for unique African products hinders accurate risk assessment
- Low access to capital and cold chain infrastructure prevents smallholder actors from complying with Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs).
Priority Research Projects Seeking Support
We invite collaboration, Support and partnerships in the following high-impact areas:
- Facilitating the information needs of SMEs to implement standards: Identifying and removal of barriers for SMEs to implement SPS and sustainability standards demanded by the markets
- Development of Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) for African Products:Funding is needed to support the development of CRMs to support analytical testing for unique staples and exports, enhancing trust in African goods under the AfCFTA.
- Strengthening Laboratory Capacity and Accreditation:Support for targeted capacity building to help laboratories align with ISO/IEC 17025, and determination of variables for sustainability of compliance, and external quality assurance schemes.
- Digitalizing Market Surveillance and Border Control:Piloting smart systems and risk-based frameworks to improve inter-agency coordination, data integrity, and supply chain resilience at borders.
- Climate-Smart Food Safety Research:Investigating the impact of climate change on emerging food safety risks (e.g., micro plastics, PFAS, mycotoxins) and developing adaptation strategies for smallholder farmers.
- Research to optimize SPS investments for small holders: Reduction in investment burden among the SMEs and small holders in meeting the SPS requirements
Our Impact
When you strengthen Quality Infrastructure, you:
- Protect Public Health: By ensuring accurate detection of hazards.
- Boost Trade: By ensuring “once tested, accepted everywhere” for African products.
- Empower Farmers: By providing the incentives and standards needed to access premium markets.
Partner with us to build a safer, more prosperous food future for Uganda and Africa.
Contact Us:
Director of Research, National Food Safety Institute (NFSI)
bagumire.a@nfsiafrica.org
+256 772 475 784
Plot 1099 Block 215 Kondogolo Zone Ntinda –Kulambiro, off Ntinda-Kisaasi Road, P.O.Box: 2244 Kampala