Over 500 bags of adulterated cement seized in Luwero raid

________________

Two businessmen in Luwero have for months been raking in millions by allegedly mixing cement with stone dust, producing counterfeit cement on a large scale and selling it to unsuspecting buyers across the countryside.

The operation, run by Dauda Mutesasira and Benard Onyango, came to an abrupt end when regional police, in conjunction with the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), raided their premises.

Over 500 bags of adulterated cement were seized, and both men were arrested.

The arrests followed a three-day joint operation during which police and UNBS officials searched the suspects’ shops and homes.

The raids uncovered 500 bags of fake cement, newly printed counterfeit packaging bags, forged UNBS Q-marks, numerous bags of stone dust, and falsified factory stickers.

Savannah regional police spokesperson, Samuel Twineamazima, said the police were tipped off about traders in Kasana, Luwero Town Council, who were allegedly selling fake cement.

According to police investigations, the suspects were distributing counterfeit products under popular brand names such as Tororo Cement, Hima Cement, and Fundi Cement.

Acting swiftly on the tip-off, police cordoned off the suspects’ shops and stores before extending the operation to their homes.

Benard Onyango was arrested first, followed by Dauda Mutesasira, whose home in Kalongo village, Luwero Town Council, had been turned into a workshop for manufacturing the fake cement.

The area LC1 chairman, Ismael Kikabi, said residents had long grown suspicious of Mutesasira’s heavily guarded home, where trucks were regularly seen entering and leaving. However, the nature of activities inside remained unknown until the police raid.

UNBS surveillance officer, Sarah Nantongo, confirmed that the two suspects will appear before the Standards, Wildlife and Utilities Court in Kampala, facing charges of adulterating cement and illegally using the UNBS Q-mark.

“The offence of adulterating cement alone carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison or a fine of 20 million shillings,” she said. “It is both illegal and dangerous to add any foreign particles in cement because the final product does not serve the purpose.”

Nantongo added that the seized cement would be tested at the UNBS laboratory before being destroyed along with other confiscated materials.

She urged the public to remain vigilant when buying cement, noting that genuine products should carry an authentic UNBS Q-mark.