By Paul Watala

FAILURE by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) to regulate the importation of fake products is a sign of incompetence in the system, the Uganda Manufactures Association chairperson, Kadu Kiberu, has said.

“UNBS has failed to put in place measures to check the expiry dates of items on the market, the wrong branding and net weight measurements,” he noted.

Kiberu added that the standards body failed to participate in the UMA trade fair in Mbale, which is a clear sign of incompetence.

“It is a shame that UNBS has not participated in the trade fair where several companies across the East African region have brought in products for exhibition. This would have been the right time for them to check the products Ugandans are consuming,” he said.

Kiberu was speaking at the launch of the 8th eastern regional UMA trade fair at Mbale Municipal Council Stadium.

He said efforts to fight the importation of fake products are being frustrated by stakeholders blaming each other, adding that the Government should intervene and unite concerned parties.

He also appealed to the Government to improve the infrastructure and to control power tariffs and high tax rates that are levied on products made within the country, saying they frustrate investors.

The state minister for industry, James Mutende, said no products will be imported before being inspected from their original country. 

“We have finalised with policy that will see all companies that intend to import products to Uganda have them tested at the source before being brought into the country,” he said.

“We are trying to avoid dumping substandard goods into Uganda and also protect our citizens from consuming dangerous products.”

He said inspection will be emphasised for products that directly affect the health of the people and the environment.

“We have lost people in accidents because of the old vehicles, poisonous foods and chemicals that are brought into the country,” Mutende said.

He said the Government has no capacity of testing the products within Uganda, adding that it is also expensive to deport the products.

Mutende expressed disappointment that UNBS did not participate in the trade fair, saying more people are most likely to consume fake products because of their absence.