UNBS shuts down firms
Jul 04, 2003
The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has shut down three companies that were making conduit pipes that are susceptible to causing fires
By David Muwanga
The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has shut down three companies that were making conduit pipes that are susceptible to causing fires.
The bureau also closed a supermarket found tampering with dates of expired Becks Beer.
The companies include Mec Electricals Limited located on Gayaza road at Luteete, near Kampala, Henka Industries in Kamuli zone in Kireka and MC Engineering Company Limited in Bunamwaya in Lubaga, all in Kampala.
They were producing conduits that can easily be ignited by a small short circuit fire resulting into burning houses easily.
Also closed is a supermarket at opposite Bamboo Nest in Bugolobi, Made in Italy super market whose managers were found by police and UNBS officials re-labeling the expired Becks Beers and giving them extended dates. “These products after the authorised period, may become toxic and this is very dangerous to the consumers,†UNBS spokesman Moses Ssebunya told the New Vision Tuesday at his offices at Nakawa.
He said the bureau was concerned about underweight bread. “This is cheating customers,†he said.
“Most of it has been found to be 800 grams instead of one kilogram and if on every loaf you are cheated of 200 grams, that is a lot of money for the producers but a great loss to the consumer,†he said.
He said the bureau plans to enforce standards requirements that include ensuring that bread was not less than the prescribed weight.
“We want the laws on pre-packaged foods and the Weights and Measures regulations implemented. But first, we are going to use our mechanism to bar underweight bread from on the market,†he said.
The next, he said will be the producers who fail to comply with the laws and regulations. “They will have their premises closed,†he warned.
He however said the exercise launched recently and code-named ‘Operation Q’, also covers weighing scales and all expired products.
“All this is aimed at protecting the consumer and sensitising on being sensitive when buying items and consumables, with weights.
The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has shut down three companies that were making conduit pipes that are susceptible to causing fires.
The bureau also closed a supermarket found tampering with dates of expired Becks Beer.
The companies include Mec Electricals Limited located on Gayaza road at Luteete, near Kampala, Henka Industries in Kamuli zone in Kireka and MC Engineering Company Limited in Bunamwaya in Lubaga, all in Kampala.
They were producing conduits that can easily be ignited by a small short circuit fire resulting into burning houses easily.
Also closed is a supermarket at opposite Bamboo Nest in Bugolobi, Made in Italy super market whose managers were found by police and UNBS officials re-labeling the expired Becks Beers and giving them extended dates. “These products after the authorised period, may become toxic and this is very dangerous to the consumers,†UNBS spokesman Moses Ssebunya told the New Vision Tuesday at his offices at Nakawa.
He said the bureau was concerned about underweight bread. “This is cheating customers,†he said.
“Most of it has been found to be 800 grams instead of one kilogram and if on every loaf you are cheated of 200 grams, that is a lot of money for the producers but a great loss to the consumer,†he said.
He said the bureau plans to enforce standards requirements that include ensuring that bread was not less than the prescribed weight.
“We want the laws on pre-packaged foods and the Weights and Measures regulations implemented. But first, we are going to use our mechanism to bar underweight bread from on the market,†he said.
The next, he said will be the producers who fail to comply with the laws and regulations. “They will have their premises closed,†he warned.
He however said the exercise launched recently and code-named ‘Operation Q’, also covers weighing scales and all expired products.
“All this is aimed at protecting the consumer and sensitising on being sensitive when buying items and consumables, with weights.