Public warned of fake paint on market

By Carol Kasujja

Does the paint on your house washes off whenever it rains? Well, the problem could be with the genuineness of that paint you bought from your favourite hardware or paint agent. Investigations have revealed that there are several fake brands of paint that have infiltrated the market.

Most quacks re-mix already produced paint, by diluting and adulterating the original content and pack jerry cans and tins of fake paint and claim that it is genuine paint from renowned genuine paint producer in the country.

When asked to explain the different between the fake and real paint, Chris Nugent, the Sadolin managing director, said that all Sadolin authorized dealers have a sign outside their hardware or shops.

“If the paint is cheap, it is probably fake. From my own experience, I have realized that most people who buy fake paint, know that they are buying fake paint, we label our paint carefully with our contacts, if the paint you are buying, has no seal, it is fake,” he said.

Nugent explained that fake paint does not last for more than 6 months; you need to apply coats to get what you want.
Before even taking the paint got from the market for testing, The UNBS team confirmed that it was fake paint from the way it was labeled.

“We have witnessed a compromise in standards in many building materials over the last 6 months. It is important to note that all locally produced products must carry the Standard Mark that assures consumers that the products on the market conform to National Standards,” said Maggie Lukowe, the UNBS spokesperson.

She notes that those unscrupulous business men who are operating non-registered businesses that do not confirm to standards will be imprisoned for 2 years if found guilty.

“This contravenes Article 21 of the UNBS Act, a penalty of a minimum of 10 million shillings or 2 years imprisonment or both penalties applies to any body found guilty of manufacturing and selling products that do not meet the required standards. We urge the public to be more observant and preferably buy from credible and well established sources with UNBS certified products,” she warned.