400 tonnes of substandard goods worth sh1b destroyed in Nakasongola

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In a move to protect consumers, the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has destroyed 400 metric tonnes of substandard merchandise worth shillings one billion.

The assorted manufactured goods weighing 400 metric tonnes, which were destroyed by incineration or pit filling at the military barracks in Nakasongola district, include drinks, paint, cosmetics, sanitary pads, toilet paper and chemicals.

The items were delivered to the destruction site in Nakasongola aboard several trucks that transported them all the way from UNBS stores in Kampala.

The UNBS standards inspector attached to the surveillance department, Gerald Owori, said during the destruction exercise on Tuesday that the move was in line with UNBS's mandate of protecting consumers against harmful products.

Owori said the destroyed items had earlier been impounded by the UNBS market surveillance department from shops, factories and border posts.

He said some of the products were expired, underweight or uncertified, while others, like some cosmetics, were banned for containing harmful ingredients such as mercury.

Owori said after impounding the goods, UNBS personnel took the culprits to court, which sentenced them and ordered the goods to be destroyed.

Owori warned manufacturers and traders not to deal in goods which do not conform to UNBS standards or risk being arrested and having their merchandise impounded.

He also cautioned the general public not to consume goods which are not certified by UNBS so as to avoid possible harm to their health.

Another 302 metric tonnes were destroyed at the same site in 2023.