Counterfeit toilet paper seized in Kampala operation, four arrested
UNBS has urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious products, saying the fight against counterfeit goods requires cooperation between regulators, manufacturers and consumers.
Wycliffe Tusiime is intercepted by police during an operation led by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) in Kampala, while allegedly delivering counterfeit toilet paper. (Photo by Alfred Ochwo)
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Four people have been arrested in central Kampala over the alleged trade in counterfeit toilet paper following an operation by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) as part of an ongoing crackdown on fraudulent products.
The suspects were identified as Idi Waluwu, Robert Biaruhanga and Wycliffe Tusiime. UNBS said they are part of a network accused of supplying substandard paper products to markets across the city.
The operation, conducted on July 1, 2026, with the support of the Uganda Police Force, targeted Justin Arcade and Tesco Plastic Arcade along Kikuubo Lane following a tip-off from a whistleblower.
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“The toilet paper does not meet the standards set by UNBS in 2006. We condemn this act because it is dangerous to human health,” said Sarah Nantongo, a UNBS surveillance officer.
“We found these people packing unlabelled toilet paper, some of which was already on sale in Kikuubo stores. This is very dangerous,” Nantongo added.
She said UNBS has established standards governing the safety, composition and quality of toilet paper, which the suspects allegedly failed to meet.
She said the suspects will be arraigned before the Standards, Utilities and Wildlife Court on charges of counterfeiting, using false certification marks and violating standards regulations.
L-R: (on the ground) Idi Waluwu, Robert Biaruhanga, and Wycliffe Tusiime are intercepted by police during a Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) operation in Kampala while allegedly delivering counterfeit toilet paper. (Photo by Alfred Ochwo)
Beyond prosecution, UNBS said it also intends to rehabilitate offenders through training programmes.
“Sometimes these individuals act out of ignorance, not malice,” Nantongo said. “After the legal process, we will guide and train them to operate within the law.”
UNBS has urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious products, saying the fight against counterfeit goods requires cooperation between regulators, manufacturers and consumers.