The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has seized approximately 79 tonnes of underweight cement, equivalent to 1,077 bags, following a market surveillance operation targeting cement dealers at Goodshed-Biwologoma, along Entebbe Road in Kampala.
The operation is part of UNBS’ ongoing market surveillance activities aimed at protecting consumers from underweight prepackaged goods and substandard products, as well as ensuring that products placed on the Ugandan market comply with mandatory standards and declared specifications.
The surveillance team conducted inspections at 29 cement stores and outlets and found cement whose actual weight was below the weight declared on the packaging. Over 4 tonnes of empty cement packaging bags and other materials indicating possible repackaging of cement were also found and seized.
Businesses found with suspected underweight cement and bundles of empty cement packaging bags suspected to be used for re-bagging, include; • Alizahad Ventures, Goodshade, Kampala City, Walusimbi Store, Good Shade Complex, Entebbe Road, Kateregga’s Store, Goodshed – Biwologoma, An unknown Store (Above Kateregga’s Store), Goodshed – Biwologoma ,Hajj Kababba Store 1, Civic Centre Parish, Nkurumah Zone, Railway Good Shade, Entebbe Road, Kampala, Hajji Kababba Store II, Railway Goodshed, Entebbe Road – Kampala, Bosco’s Shop, next to canteen, Goodshed, Clock Tower, Kampala, Nambooze Lime Stores (N.L.S) General Hardware, Goodshade – Kampala, Good Shade Shop GS-022, Entebbe Road, Railway Good Shade, Central Division, Kampala., GS-010 (Owner Unknown), Railway Goodshed, Entebbe Road – Kampala, Cement Shop GS-013, Goodshade – Kampala, GS-007 Cement Store, next to Saj General Hardware, Goodshade, Kampala City, GS-012 Store, Good Shade Complex, Entebbe Road
UNBS Senior Surveillance Officer, Ms. Sarah Nantongo, said the operation demonstrates the Bureau’s commitment to ensuring fair trade, and that consumers get the quantity and quality of products they pay for.
“Consumers have a right to receive the accurate product quantity as declared on a product. Any practice that deliberately compromises the quantity of a product, including the repackaging and sale of underweight commodities is unacceptable. UNBS will continue to undertake market surveillance and take appropriate enforcement action against products and businesses that do not comply with mandatory standards,” she said.
UNBS is pursuing enforcement action against the responsible business proprietors in accordance with the law. The suspects apprehended during the operation were handed over to the Criminal Investigations Department of Uganda Police (CID), while further investigations and follow-up inspections will be undertaken.
The operation was conducted in accordance with the UNBS Act, Cap 210; UNBS Market Surveillance Regulations, 2022; US EAS 18-1:2017, Cement – Part 1: Composition, Specification and Conformity Criteria for Common Cements; and US 1028:2013, Labelling Requirements for Pre-packaged Products.
UNBS cautions traders against selling underweight or otherwise non-conforming commodities and against the illegal repackaging and adulteration. Consumers are encouraged to check product labels and report suspected cases of substandard products to UNBS through toll free lines 0800133133 / 0800233233.
The Uganda National Bureau of Standards is a government agency mandated to develop, promote and enforce standards to protect public health, safety, and the environment as well as ensure fairness in trade and precision in industry through reliable measurement systems.
