The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has intensified the fight against substandard products by destroying goods worth Shs900 million at Luweero Industries in Nakasongola.

The destruction on Tuesday follows country-wide seizures carried out by the UNBS market surveillance team and the Criminal Investigations Department of the Uganda Police Force.

The destroyed goods included food stuffs, baby powdered milk, cement, sanitary towels, cosmetics, electronics, steel and steel products, among others.

According to the UNBS deputy executive director in charge of compliance, Mr John Paul Musimami, the destruction is part of the agency’s effort to protect consumers from substandard products.

“Substandard products are not only dangerous to the health and wellbeing of consumers, they are also a threat to the economic development of our country,” Mr Musimami said.

“Our role is to promote fair competition, enhance competitiveness of local industries and protect the health and safety of Ugandans and the environment,” he added.

He said the destroyed goods amounting to four metric tonnes would have otherwise caused increased disease burden and robbed the consumers of their money.

A statement released on Wednesday by UNBS said they carry out regular market inspections to ensure that traders are selling quality products in right quantities. Any substandard goods found on the market are seized by market surveillance inspectors.

Last year, UNBS inspected 1,090 business outlets and seized goods worth Shs6b including solar panels, primary batteries, percolators, sockets, compact fluorescent lamps, tiles, blenders, among others.

The standards body banned the sale of second hand under garments and beauty products that contain mercury and hydroquinone which are harmful to human health. However, some of the goods continue to come through porous borders where UNBS has no presence.

Source: Daily Monitor 25