Overview:
According to UNBS, the suspects who were allegedly conducting illegal activities in Kaabong, Moroto and Kotido Towns in Eastern Uganda, were presented before the Standards and Utilities Court and remanded to Luzira prison for further hearing of their case.
The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has called upon the public to be vigilant following reports of individuals masquerading as company staff and conducting unauthorized weighing scale verifications in different parts of the country and extorting money from the unsuspecting public.
Following investigations by Police, three mechanics: Wagoba Akim, Kaala David and Kirya Charles belonging to Eastern United Scale Repairers Limited, together with two trainees Ateru James and Mundu Ali, who were masquerading as UNBS inspectors were arrested.
According to UNBS, the suspects who were allegedly conducting illegal activities in Kaabong, Moroto and Kotido Towns in Eastern Uganda, were presented before the Standards and Utilities Court and remanded to Luzira prison for further hearing of their case.
During the court hearing early this month, the suspects were charged with six counts; Repairing Minzani equipment belonging to Iyamet Alice, without a valid license and obtaining money by false pretence.
“The suspects, falsely pretending to be licenced weighing scale repairers, with intent to defraud, obtained Ugx. 80,000 from Iyamet Alice purporting it to be money for repairing, testing and stamping of a counter weighing scale,” UNBS said in a statement.
“The suspects, falsely pretending to be licenced weighing scale repairers, with intent to defraud, obtained Ugx. 64,000 from Lokong Nicholas purporting it to be money for repairing, testing and stamping of a counter weighing scale,” it added.
The suspects were also charged with possession of counterfeit UNBS E-Minzani stamps with the intent to defraud the public and conspiracy to commit a felony by falsely presenting themselves as UNBS licensed equipment repairers whereas not
Kaala David, Kiirya Charles, Mundu Ali and Ateru James pleaded guilty to all the charges and were remanded to Luzira prison.
The convicts have since been sentenced to pay a fine of One million nine hundred eighty thousand shillings (Ugx. 1,980,000) each.
Hearing of the matter against Waboga Akim who pleaded not guilty is expected to continue.
UNBS is responsible for verification and stamping of weighing equipment in line with the Weights and Measures Act Cap 103 and licenses mechanics in line with its mandate of ensuring fairness in trade and precision in industry through reliable measurement systems.