Uganda’s construction sector faces counterfeit crisis, industry players warn

The construction industry in Uganda is facing a growing crisis due to the proliferation of counterfeit building materials, industry players have warned.

According to industry players, the influx of fake products, mainly from China, is not only hurting local businesses but also compromising the quality of construction projects.

“The construction sector is very fragile, and counterfeits and substandard products have flooded the market, affecting genuine ones,” said Ian Rumanyika, Head of Corporate Affairs at Uganda Baati.

Rumanyika explained that counterfeiters are targeting highly selling product lines, making it difficult for end-users to distinguish between genuine and fake products.

The situation has been exacerbated by the lack of awareness and education among consumers, who are often lured by cheaper prices without considering the long-term consequences.

“We need to inform and create awareness and educate suppliers and customers on the importance of having quality products for purposes of building the economy on a strong foundation,” Rumanyika emphasized.

Uganda Baati, a leading manufacturer of building materials, has been at the forefront of advocating for standards and fighting against counterfeit products.

The company has partnered with the Uganda National Bureau of Standards and the Uganda Manufacturers Association to ensure compliance with quality standards.

However, experts warn that more needs to be done to address the crisis, including increased enforcement and penalties for counterfeiters.

As the construction industry continues to grow, the need for quality materials has never been more critical.

With the counterfeit crisis showing no signs of abating, sector players are sounding the alarm, urging authorities to take decisive action to protect the industry and ensure public safety.

Macklean Kukundakwe, the head of marketing at Uganda Baati, added that the company is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, with a focus on building Uganda together. “The celebrations are broken into four themes where we celebrate Uganda Baati in the past, Uganda Baati in the community, Uganda Baati in the present, and Uganda Baati in the future,” Kukundakwe said.