Ugandan exporters are set to benefit from a major breakthrough in market access after the Halal Assurance Institute Uganda (HAIU) announced that internationally recognized Halal certification can now be obtained locally, ending years of reliance on foreign agencies for approval.
The development was unveiled during World Accreditation Day celebrations hosted by the Uganda National Accreditation Service (UGANAS) at the Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala.
HAIU Executive Director Ali Kalema said the move will open doors to seven Gulf countries that’s Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, and Yemen, where Halal compliance is a strict requirement for several categories of goods, including food, beverages, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.
“Halal is more than a religious seal. It’s a passport to the global Muslim market, built on trust, safety, and quality,” Kalema explained. “In the Gulf region, you cannot access certain markets without it, and now Ugandan producers can secure this certification without the delays and costs of going abroad.”
Until now, exporters faced cumbersome procedures, including sending documents and even product samples to foreign certifying bodies.
This process was not only expensive but also slowed trade, undermining Uganda’s competitiveness in high-demand markets. With HAIU’s capacity to conduct full inspections and approvals in-country, businesses can now meet Gulf import requirements faster and more affordably.
The certification process involves detailed audits at farms, factories, and processing plants to ensure that production from raw material sourcing to final packaging — meets both Islamic law and international food safety standards.
To boost credibility, HAIU has partnered with SGS Gulf Limited, one of the region’s most respected inspection and certification firms. This partnership guarantees that Ugandan goods will be accepted by Gulf authorities with minimal scrutiny upon arrival.
In May, HAIU leadership met with the Uganda Embassy in Riyadh and the Gulf Cooperation Council Accreditation Center to align Uganda’s certification procedures with Gulf standards. This harmonization is expected to smoothen export approvals and build confidence among foreign buyers.
With the global Halal market estimated at $2 trillion, the initiative could significantly increase Uganda’s share of Muslim consumer markets.
By removing certification bottlenecks and raising awareness among producers, HAIU believes Uganda can become a trusted source of Halal-compliant products. As Kalema put it, “If we meet the standards here at home, nothing stops our products from competing at the highest level internationally.”