UNBS should be more strict on merchandise

Apr 11, 2006

SIR — I took interest in Ms Grace Kisakye’s letter published on April 8. Her letter, “Beware of fake batteries on the market” made me recall that I have had a similar experience once. I have been lucky to have travelled to India, China and Japan in the last two years.

SIR — I took interest in Ms Grace Kisakye’s letter published on April 8. Her letter, “Beware of fake batteries on the market” made me recall that I have had a similar experience once. I have been lucky to have travelled to India, China and Japan in the last two years.

During these trips, I found out for example, that in India and China due to the disparities in purchasing power of people, there are almost two products for every item made, a genuine one meant for the European and American markets, and cheap, weak ones made for the poorer people in Asia and Africa! our businessmen, unfortunately go for the cheap and not very good products, due to the profits they accrue afterwards.
Another such example is nearer home.

You have probably seen a genuine Union lock made in the UK going for sh150,000. But there is a parallel price of sh25,000 for another ‘Union’ lock made in Kenya!

The onus is therefore on our businessmen to buy genuine products from these markets, and the Uganda National Bureau of Standards should be strict on what products come into the country.

The trade between China, India and the European and American markets do not involve these fake products, due to strict rules.

The fact that large American and European corporations are now manufacturing their products in China should actually be an opportunity for us to buy these products, but always remember there are unscrupulous people out there trying to make a quick buck by selling fake stuff.

Anthony Ssendaula
Hong Kong

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