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 comes in the midst of public concerns about the weight of cement, including damning videos on social media demonstrating how consumers are being cheated.
“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,” says UNBS.
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.
UNBS Senior Surveillance Officer, 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.
Some of the affected stores according to UNBS include; Alizahad Ventures, Good shade located in Kampala City; Walusimbi Store located at Good Shade Complex along Entebbe Road.
Others are Kateregga’s Store also at Goodshed – Biwologo and an unknown Store (Above Kateregga’s Store), Hajj Kababba Store 1, Railway Good Shade; and Hajji Kababba Store II, Railway Good shed.
Others include Bosco’s Shop, Goodshed, Clock Tower; Nambooze Lime Stores (N.L.S); Shop GS-022, Railway Good Shade; GS-010 (Owner Unknown), Railway Goodshed; Cement Shop GS-013, Goodshade – Kampala; GS-007 Cement Store, next to Saj General Hardware, Goodshade, Kampala; GS-012 Store, Good Shade Complex; Shop GS-008, Goodshed; Shop GS-005, Goodshed, Clock Tower; Shop 12 Cement Store, Goodshade and an Unknown Owner, Next to Seroma Sales Office, Good Shade.
Others were Store 1, Store 2, Store 3, Store 4 and Open Ground (Unknown Owners), Good Shade, Kampala; Unknown Shop 1, Goodshade – Kampala; and Truck Registration No. UBE 003T, Goodshade – Kampala.
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-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
