Why should the buyer bear the cost?
Nov 02, 2009
EDITOR—Ugandans should learn to fight for their own justice in situations where the Government cannot save them from its own institutions. I was surprised to read about tough new law by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) on used cars.
EDITOR—Ugandans should learn to fight for their own justice in situations where the Government cannot save them from its own institutions. I was surprised to read about tough new law by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) on used cars.
All imported used cars will be subjected to an inspection at their point of origin to verify whether they meet the so- called standards as stipulated by UNBS.
The strange thing about this scheme is the cost ($140-$300) that the car importers will have to part with for this inspection and also the speed (effective November 1) at which they want it implemented.
Who do you run to when a Government institution wants to rip you off instead of protecting you? I do not believe much in our MPs (with a few exceptions) because I have seen them fail us on so many issues. But I will take my chances on this one by asking them to probe this scheme starting with the companies that UNBS has appointed to do the verification through to the basis on which they arrived at the cost of this inspection.
I have always thought that the cost of upholding the standard of a product should be borne by the supplier and not the consumer. I would care less if this cost came hidden by the supplier within the cost of the product but we cannot allow this unfair levy by UNBS.
Otherwise Ugandans might end up having to pay inspection fees to various companies to ascertain the standard of every product that comes into the country. With this scheme you can be certain of fake certificates while someone out there is busy pocketing the inspection money.
Most of the sub-standard cars in our country are those that have been on the road for many years without proper maintenance. I know that most used car dealers in Japan and other countries always disclose the conditions of the cars they put up for sale on the internet and they also rate them. If UNBS is seriously seeking to protect Ugandans from vehicles in dangerous mechanical condition then it is looking too far!
Since car conditions are disclosed, I suggest that UNBS comes out with very clear definitions of what does not meet their standards so that importers can be aware and watch out for those areas before they buy.
UNBS can then deal with those who do not abide by their standards when they get here, but that generalised inspection is just being master-minded by some greedy officials in the guise of upholding proper standards.
The fact is that we cannot afford to be taken for fools on this one and that is why I am calling for investigation on this policy immediately.
Dan Watasa
danwatasa@yahoo.co.uk
All imported used cars will be subjected to an inspection at their point of origin to verify whether they meet the so- called standards as stipulated by UNBS.
The strange thing about this scheme is the cost ($140-$300) that the car importers will have to part with for this inspection and also the speed (effective November 1) at which they want it implemented.
Who do you run to when a Government institution wants to rip you off instead of protecting you? I do not believe much in our MPs (with a few exceptions) because I have seen them fail us on so many issues. But I will take my chances on this one by asking them to probe this scheme starting with the companies that UNBS has appointed to do the verification through to the basis on which they arrived at the cost of this inspection.
I have always thought that the cost of upholding the standard of a product should be borne by the supplier and not the consumer. I would care less if this cost came hidden by the supplier within the cost of the product but we cannot allow this unfair levy by UNBS.
Otherwise Ugandans might end up having to pay inspection fees to various companies to ascertain the standard of every product that comes into the country. With this scheme you can be certain of fake certificates while someone out there is busy pocketing the inspection money.
Most of the sub-standard cars in our country are those that have been on the road for many years without proper maintenance. I know that most used car dealers in Japan and other countries always disclose the conditions of the cars they put up for sale on the internet and they also rate them. If UNBS is seriously seeking to protect Ugandans from vehicles in dangerous mechanical condition then it is looking too far!
Since car conditions are disclosed, I suggest that UNBS comes out with very clear definitions of what does not meet their standards so that importers can be aware and watch out for those areas before they buy.
UNBS can then deal with those who do not abide by their standards when they get here, but that generalised inspection is just being master-minded by some greedy officials in the guise of upholding proper standards.
The fact is that we cannot afford to be taken for fools on this one and that is why I am calling for investigation on this policy immediately.
Dan Watasa
danwatasa@yahoo.co.uk