How Uganda’s new packaging center aims to reduce production losses

Uganda has launched a national Packaging Centre of Excellence in a bid to slash post-production losses and help local manufacturers compete on the global stage.

The facility, unveiled by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation during National Science Week 2026, aims to bridge a critical gap in the country’s industrial chain. Officials say the center will focus on improving standards, ensuring product safety and helping businesses move away from rudimentary packaging methods.

Dr. Monica Musenero, the minister for science, technology and innovation, told an audience at the launch that poor packaging remains a primary barrier to market prosperity.

Packaging is the last mile before distribution, Musenero said. You are not going to just carry your products in your hands and compete.

Beyond aesthetics, the center is designed to tackle the physical loss of goods. By providing a hub for research and training, the government hopes to help manufacturers find the right materials to protect their products during transit and storage.

Julia Kigozi, a dean at Makerere University, said the center will allow processors to scientifically test how long their goods can stay fresh.

We can test whether a packaging material can preserve a product for one month, six months or even a year while maintaining quality, Kigozi said. She noted that research would help determine exactly how many layers of protection are necessary, potentially saving costs while preventing spoilage.

The facility, located at the UMA Showgrounds in Lugogo, will also host experts from the Uganda National Bureau of Standards to ensure products meet international measurement and safety requirements.

Industry leaders believe that by solving the “packaging paradox”—the challenge of making containers that are durable yet easy for consumers to use—Ugandan manufacturers can significantly reduce waste.

Stakeholders at the launch said the initiative is a key part of the national industrial agenda, aimed at ensuring that locally made goods survive the journey from the factory floor to international dinner tables.