The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has intensified market surveillance operations across the country in a bid to eliminate substandard and expired products, while urging consumers to remain vigilant and prioritize quality when making purchases.
According to Sylvia Kirabo, Head of Marketing and Public Relations at the Uganda National Bureau of Standards, the agency regularly conducts inspections in different parts of the country to ensure that goods sold to consumers meet the required standards.
“We conduct routine market inspections by deploying standards inspectors to outlets, shops, warehouses, supermarkets, and hardware stores to check whether the products being sold comply with the required standards,” Kirabo said.
She explained that these inspections are carried out randomly among wholesalers and retailers to verify compliance. Products that meet national standards are awarded the UNBS Quality Mark after thorough inspection of manufacturing premises.
Kirabo added that imported goods are also subjected to strict quality checks before they enter the Ugandan market.
“At customs entry points, our inspectors work closely with the Uganda Revenue Authority to examine products before they are cleared into the country,” she said.
She further noted that UNBS implements the Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) programme, under which goods destined for Uganda are inspected in their countries of origin. Under the programme, contracted service providers verify consignments and issue a Certificate of Conformity before the products are shipped.
Meanwhile, UNBS Market Surveillance Manager Daniel Arorwa raised concern over what he described as public apathy, noting that some consumers often defend traders dealing in expired or substandard products.
“The people we want to protect sometimes defend those cheating them. Instead of helping us apprehend traders selling expired goods, some members of the public claim we are taking away the trader’s capital,” Arorwa said.
He warned that purchasing cheap and substandard products can expose consumers to serious health risks and financial losses.
“What people consider cheap may end up being more expensive later through medical bills or replacement costs,” he explained.
Arorwa urged consumers to carefully examine product labels before making purchases. He said key details such as the manufacturer’s name, address, brand name, ingredients, and expiry date should always be clearly indicated.
He also advised consumers to avoid products with suspicious characteristics such as damaged packaging, swollen containers, or unusual substances inside beverages.
“Consumers should always take time to inspect what they are buying instead of quickly picking items and dropping them in the basket,” he said.
The agency further cautioned against purchasing products from hawkers or unknown vendors, noting that such transactions make it difficult to trace sellers if the goods later cause harm.
Officials warned that substandard products can cause serious health complications, including food poisoning, disability, cancer, or even death. Poor-quality construction materials, they added, may also lead to building collapses that endanger lives.
The Uganda National Bureau of Standards is now calling on consumers, manufacturers, and traders to work together to ensure that only safe and quality products are available on the market.
“If everyone demands quality, the market will automatically eliminate substandard products,” Arorwa said.
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