Lack of compliance to UNBS laws fueling counterfeits

By Doreen Musingo in Jinja

LACK of complying with existing laws under the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) and stipulated standards has led to the increased usage of counterfeit materials, Martin Imalingat the manager quality assurance has revealed.

Imalingat explained that as UNBS, they have laws and set standards intended to fight the importation or manufacturing of counterfeit goods on the market but most consumers and suppliers are not aware about them.

“We have the laws and standards in place but most consumers are suppliers are not aware about them, this has highly contributed to the selling and use of counterfeit goods and materials,” he said.

He added that even some government officials were not aware of the existing laws and standards yet they are the ones who are supposed to implement them. He added that it was unfair to make the standard laws when they can’t be put to use them to certify products.

“Standardization is very important for the economy, it is impossible to engage in the business economy without it because it leads to poor quality products,” he noted.

Imalingat was on Thursday speaking to Resident District Commissioners (RDC’s), District Police Commander’s (DPC’S) manufactures and dealers in iron sheets and use of quality standard iron bars used in construction at Source of the Nile Hotel in Jinja town.

Imalingat explained that UNBS had banned the use of twisted iron bars replacing them with ribbed bars while with gauge 32 iron sheets being replaced with gauge 30 galvanized iron sheets.

He explained that this was to ensure safety since they had received a number of complaints from consumers and government over using of fake materials during construction. He added most buildings after a short time collapse killing people while roads and bridges are destroyed due to poor quality materials.

He said the demand for construction materials was high yet they rust after short time. He said most suppliers’ abuse the products and yet they are supposed to enforce the CAP322 law to stop the vice that’s killing the economy.

Jinja Deputy Resident District Commissioner (DRDC) Erick Saakwa accused the staff of the UNBS saying it has contributed to the increased use of fake products on the economy due to being corrupt.

Saakwa noted that in some products on market like weighing scales, normally they have two stamps from UNBS. He added that once you buy a product on the market it lacks value for money because it has been tempered with.

Saakwa advised that to curb the use of fake products, UNBS should work closely with RDC’s to carryout abrupt operations and also improve on their communication systems in areas of operation.

Sylvia Kirabo the deputy spokesperson to UNBS refuted allegations that the staff were leading in corruption. However she added that they were constrained with employees.

Kirabo explained that they have 19 operation centers and that 34 illegal centers where they don’t operate with the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) are used to smuggle in fake imported products.  

Kirabo asked anyone with information about any corrupt staff member to report so that he or she is dealt with by law.

However she disclosed that they are going to work closely with police during their operations and once they find anyone with fake products they will cause arrest.

She advised that buyers who intend to get products like cement in huge amounts always get receipts so that incase buildings collapse, they are investigated.

She stressed that they had also banned the importation of second hand clothes including female and children’s knickers.

Grace Nabagereka of PVOC pre-export verification to conformity to standard program working in partnership with UNBS said they had established various check points in countries that import to Uganda and cross check products before sending them to Uganda.

She said after verification they have to send a certificate of approval before importers clear their products to avoid counterfeits on market.

Drate Magara of Halewa Holdings urged government to come up with strategic means to sensitize consumers on what they should look out for before buying any commodity.

He also called on government to increase funding to UNBS for inspection of industries so that they stop producing fake products.