UNBS should act on cheating traders
Jun 21, 2008
EVERYBODY is crying foul over the biting food prices. The ordinary man is struggling to be as frugal as possible. But it seems such a far away dream, especially with traders equally becoming more shrewd. An undercover report reveals that city traders massively cheat unsuspecting customers by using f
EVERYBODY is crying foul over the biting food prices. The ordinary man is struggling to be as frugal as possible. But it seems such a far away dream, especially with traders equally becoming more shrewd. An undercover report reveals that city traders massively cheat unsuspecting customers by using fake weighing scales.
The traders therefore make ill-gotten profits, leaving the poor man’s pocket drained. The problem is not only limited to Kampala, but also other towns countrywide. Millions of people are cheated daily, but a big number of them are either unaware of it, or just let it pass. But this is not a matter that can be taken lightly. Cheating is a penal offence.
What are consumer protection associations doing to help the ordinary naïve buyer? Institutions like the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) should regularly carry out impromptu checks and have culprits brought to book. The dealers should also be publicly blacklisted so that other traders can pick a leaf. The investigative arm of government should move out and dismantle the fake weighing scales.
But Ugandans too, should be vigilant enough, to know which weighing scale is which. In the event of realising you have been cheated, don’t be gagged. Report to the Police or UNBS. That way, it will be easier to deal with the vice.
The traders therefore make ill-gotten profits, leaving the poor man’s pocket drained. The problem is not only limited to Kampala, but also other towns countrywide. Millions of people are cheated daily, but a big number of them are either unaware of it, or just let it pass. But this is not a matter that can be taken lightly. Cheating is a penal offence.
What are consumer protection associations doing to help the ordinary naïve buyer? Institutions like the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) should regularly carry out impromptu checks and have culprits brought to book. The dealers should also be publicly blacklisted so that other traders can pick a leaf. The investigative arm of government should move out and dismantle the fake weighing scales.
But Ugandans too, should be vigilant enough, to know which weighing scale is which. In the event of realising you have been cheated, don’t be gagged. Report to the Police or UNBS. That way, it will be easier to deal with the vice.