Police, agriculture ministry arrest Kampala traders over fake agro inputs
“We have come to the shop, searched and found a lot of products being faked by one Kato. He is not a first-time offender; this is the third time. We are still working with the agriculture and Uganda police to ensure that this person is held accountable,” Sendaza said.
The operation, which involved impounding of what was termed as fake products, took place on Friday at Container village, by officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Agriculture Police, and the Anti-Counterfeit Network. (Courtesy Photo)
By Prossy Nandudu
Journalists @New Vision
KAMPALA - To ensure that farmers get value for money, officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries have arrested several people from the Kampala container village, said to be counterfeiting agro inputs.
The operation, which involved impounding of what was termed as fake products, took place on Friday at Container village, by officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Agriculture Police, and the Anti-Counterfeit Network.
According to Charles Sendaza, an agriculture inspector from the department Crop Inspection and Certification, they were alerted by the Anti-Counterfeit Network about a case of counterfeiting at a shop that was said to belong to the chairman, only identified as Kato.
“We were alerted by the anti-counterfeit network about cases of counterfeiting and faking of agro inputs in one of the shops that belongs to the chairman of agro input dealers of container village,” said Sendaza.
Sendaza also advised farmers to buy agro chemicals from outlets recognised by manufacturers of the different agro inputs for traceability in cases of a challenge. (Courtesy Photo)
Sendaza added that upon searching the shop, they found counterfeit products of reputable companies, who, when consulted, denied working with the suspect.
“We have come to the shop, searched and found a lot of products being faked by one Kato. He is not a first-time offender; this is the third time. We are still working with the agriculture and Uganda police to ensure that this person is held accountable,” he said.
Some of the impounded products with fake labels that were found at the shop include: seeds, rocket, a broad-spectrum insecticide for control of caterpillars, aphids and other pests that attack cereals like maize, rice, and vegetables like Sukuma wiki, cabbage, among others, valued at over shillings 50 million.
Sendaza also advised farmers to buy agro chemicals from outlets recognised by manufacturers of the different agro inputs for traceability in cases of a challenge.