UNBS seizes 659 sub-standard mattresses in Lira, Soroti

PIC: Some of the mattress seized in Lira Town being prepared to load in the truck. (Credit: Patrick Okino)

TRADE

LIRA, SOROTI - The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has seized 659 sub-standard mattresses worth millions of shilling in Lira and Soroti districts in the market surveillance operations.

The mattresses, which were picked from Opaka Enterprises in Lira town and Teso Music Centre in Soroti, will be taken to UNBS offices at Bweyogerere, Wakiso.

New Vision learnt that the items were kept at Lira and Soroti Police stations.

UNBS public relations officer, Godwin Bonge Muhwezi, on Thursday said the seizure follows a countrywide operation by UNBS to ensure compliance to set standards among manufacturers and traders of mattresses.

Bonge added that the mattresses were found with no labels contrary to the standard specifications on labelling (US 202-1 section 5.2).

"The standards require correct labeling of mattresses including; name and address of manufacturer or importer or distributor; lot or batch number; dimensions; class and grade of foam and country of origin," he added.

Bonge said similar operations were also carried out in Mbale, Jinja and Tororo, adding that the items would be presented as exhibits for prosecution before they are destroyed.

"Selling sub-standard products is an offence under the UNBS Act and culprits will be prosecuted in the courts of law," Bonge said.