UCPC was established in October 2001 as part of the UNIDO-UNEP Cleaner Production Programme. UCPC is part of a family of over 65 National Cleaner Production Centres (NCPCs) worldwide and operates under the auspices of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives. Since its establishment it has now developed into a centre of excellence for promoting Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP) in the country.

The centre aims at building capacities, fostering dialogue between industry and government and enhancing investments for transfer and development of environmentally sound technologies in Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production(RECP).

RECP has widespread application at all decision-making levels in industry, with the chief focus on adoption of cleaner technologies and techniques within the industrial sector. Costly end-of-pipe pollution control systems are gradually replaced with a strategy that reduces and avoids pollution and waste throughout the entire production cycle, from efficient use of raw materials, energy and water to the final product.

UCPC is situated on Plot 42A, Mukabya Road, Nakawa Industrial Area and is hosted by the Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI). Since its establishment, UCPC has worked with about 300 enterprises and 45 hotels in the service sector through different programmes such as the Switch Africa Green, Lake Victoria Environment Management Programme, Eco-Innovation, Eco-Benefits Programme, the EMS/ISO 14001 certification Programme and Eco-Design Programme e.t.c.