UNBS seizes 79 tonnes of suspected underweight cement in Kampala

KAMPALA – The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) says it has seized about 79 tonnes of cement suspected to be underweight in an operation targeting dealers at Goodshed-Biwologoma, along Entebbe Road in Kampala.

The standards body said the consignment, which it put at 1,077 bags, was impounded after its surveillance team inspected 29 cement stores and outlets and found bags whose actual weight was below the weight declared on the packaging.

Inspectors also seized more than four tonnes of empty cement bags and other materials that UNBS said indicated possible repackaging of cement, according to a statement issued on Wednesday.

Suspects arrested during the operation were handed over to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of Uganda Police, the bureau said. It did not say how many people were detained or whether any had been charged.

Sarah Nantongo, a senior surveillance officer at UNBS, said consumers had a right to receive the quantity declared on a product.

“Any practice that deliberately compromises the quantity of a product, including the repackaging and sale of underweight commodities is unacceptable,” she said.

“UNBS will continue to undertake market surveillance and take appropriate enforcement action against products and businesses that do not comply with mandatory standards.”

Businesses named by UNBS as having been found with suspected underweight cement or bundles of empty bags suspected to be used for re-bagging include Alizahad Ventures, Walusimbi Store, Kateregga’s Store, two outlets trading as Hajj Kababba Store, Bosco’s Shop, Nambooze Lime Stores (N.L.S) General Hardware and Shop 12 Cement Store.

The bureau also listed shops identified only by stall numbers GS-005, GS-007, GS-008, GS-010, GS-012, GS-013 and GS-022, several stores and an open ground whose owners it said were unknown, and a truck registered UBE 003T.

UNBS said the operation was carried out under the UNBS Act, Cap 210, the UNBS Market Surveillance Regulations, 2022, the cement standard US EAS 18-1:2017 and US 1028:2013, which sets labelling requirements for pre-packaged products.

The bureau said it would pursue enforcement action against the proprietors and carry out further investigations and follow-up inspections.

It warned traders against selling underweight or non-conforming goods and against illegal repackaging and adulteration, and urged consumers to check product labels and report suspected substandard products on its toll-free lines 0800 133 133 and 0800 233 233.