Uganda, ARSO Unveil 15 Standards to Regulate Edible Insects

Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) in partnership with the African Organisation for Standardisations (ARSO) has launched 15 African standards for edible insects, aimed at improving consumer safety and boosting trade in the emerging sector.

The standards, unveiled on Monday at a two-day event in Kampala, cover the entire edible insect value chain, including farming, wild harvesting, processing, hygiene, packaging, and regulation.

UNBS Executive Director Eng. James Kasigwa said the initiative would enhance quality assurance, expand markets, and win consumer trust.

“Insects now present a promising and under-utilised alternative. They are rich in proteins, vitamins and minerals, require minimal land and water, and have significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions,” Kasigwa said.

Edible insects such as grasshoppers, crickets, termites, locusts, bee larvae and dung beetles are widely consumed in Uganda, with grasshoppers (“nsenene”) remaining a lucrative delicacy in many households.

Officials highlighted the role of insects in addressing rising demand for protein and supporting food security as traditional livestock systems struggle to keep pace with population growth.

Patrick Mugisha, Commissioner for Business Development and Quality Assurance in the Ministry of Trade, said the standards will promote competitiveness and contribute to Uganda’s long-term economic targets.

In remarks delivered on behalf of State Minister for Trade Gen. Wilson Mbadi, Mugisha noted that edible insects are part of Uganda’s cultural heritage and are increasingly used in both human consumption and animal feed.

Uganda was among the first African countries to pilot edible insect standards in 2017 with support from Makerere University and the International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE).

The country now has over 2,000 farmers and more than 16 community and school-based breeding centers engaged in insect rearing.

ARSO Secretary General Dr. Hermogene Nsengimana urged member states to implement the standards to facilitate trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

“When you develop standards and you don’t implement them, they will remain on paper,” he said.

ICIPE Director Dr. Jimmy Pittchar said the global edible insect market, currently valued at about $1.35 billion, is projected to grow to between $4.38 billion and $17.9 billion by 2033.

Both ARSO and UNBS pledged to support around 200 small and medium enterprises in adopting the new standards.