UNBS seizes 79 tonnes of underweight cement in Kampala
UNBS said the operation demonstrates the bureau’s commitment to ensuring fair trade and that consumers get the quantity and quality of products they pay for.
UNBS said the operation demonstrates the bureau’s commitment to ensuring fair trade and that consumers get the quantity and quality of products they pay for. (Credit: Alfred Ochwo)
________________ Some of the casual laborer arrested to help in the investigation. (Photo by Alfred Ochwo)
The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has seized approximately 79 tonnes of underweight cement, equivalent to 1,077 bags, following a market surveillance operation targeting cement dealers at Goodshed-Biwologoma, along Entebbe Road in Kampala.
Sylvia Kirabo, the UNBS Head of Marketing and Public Relations, said today (September 23) that the operation is part of the bureau's ongoing market surveillance activities aimed at protecting consumers from underweight prepackaged goods and substandard products, as well as ensuring that products placed on the Ugandan market comply with mandatory standards and declared specifications.
She said the surveillance team conducted inspections at 29 cement stores and outlets and found cement whose actual weight was below the weight declared on the packaging. Over 4 tonnes of empty cement packaging bags and other materials indicating possible repackaging of cement were also found and seized.
UNBS named the businesses found with suspected underweight cement and bundles of empty cement packaging bags suspected to be used for re-bagging as; Alizahad Ventures, Goodshade, Kampala City, Walusimbi Store, Good Shade Complex-Entebbe Road, Kateregga’s Store, and Goodshed – Biwologoma.
Others are; Hajj Kababba Store 1, Civic Centre Parish, Nkurumah Zone, Railway Good Shade-Entebbe Road, Kampala, Bosco’s Shop, Good Shed-Clock Tower, Nambooze Lime Stores (N.L.S) General Hardware, Good Shade – Kampala, Good Shade Shop GS-022-Entebbe Road, and Railway Good-Shade in Central Division Kampala.
UNBS Senior Surveillance Officer Sarah Nantongo said the operation demonstrates the bureau’s commitment to ensuring fair trade, and that consumers get the quantity and quality of products they pay for.
“Consumers have a right to receive the accurate product quantity as declared on a product. Any practice that deliberately compromises the quantity of a product, including the repackaging and sale of underweight commodities, is unacceptable. UNBS will continue to undertake market surveillance and take appropriate enforcement action against products and businesses that do not comply with mandatory standards,” she said.
UNBS said it was pursuing enforcement action against the responsible business proprietors in accordance with the law.
She said the operation was conducted in accordance with the UNBS Act, Cap 210; UNBS Market Surveillance Regulations, Composition, Specification and Conformity Criteria for Common Cements; and Labelling Requirements for Pre-packaged Products.
“UNBS cautions traders against selling underweight or otherwise non-conforming commodities and against illegal repackaging and adulteration. Consumers are encouraged to check product labels and report suspected cases of substandard products to the bureau through toll free lines; 0800133133 / 0800233233,” Kirabo stated.
In August last month, UNBS confirmed that underweight cement on the market was being caused by illegal tampering, siphoning, and repackaging by unscrupulous traders along the supply chain, rather than by certified manufacturing plants.
UNBS' comments came in the wake of viral social media videos, which revealed that 50kg cement bags were found weighing between 40kg and 42kg.
UNBS said investigations revealed that some rogue dealers collect empty cement bags from construction sites, siphon cement out of genuine 50kg bags, and repackage the remainder into lighter bundles for illegal resale.