The team also seized more than four tonnes of empty cement packaging bags and other materials suspected to be used in the illegal repackaging and re-bagging of cement.
The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has seized about 79 tonnes of underweight cement, equivalent to 1,077 bags, during a market surveillance operation targeting cement dealers in Kampala.
The operation was conducted at Goodshed-Biwologoma along Entebbe Road as part of UNBS efforts to protect consumers from underweight pre-packaged goods and substandard products.
According to UNBS, its surveillance team inspected 29 cement stores and outlets, where it found cement whose actual weight was below the quantities declared on the packaging.
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The team also seized more than four tonnes of empty cement packaging bags and other materials suspected to be used in the illegal repackaging and re-bagging of cement.
Among the businesses and premises where suspected underweight cement and empty packaging materials were found are Alizahad Ventures, Walusimbi Store, Kateregga’s Store, Hajj Kababba Store I and II, Bosco’s Shop, Nambooze Lime Stores, and several shops within the Goodshade and Railway Goodshed areas.
Other premises listed by UNBS include shops GS-022, GS-010, GS-013, GS-007, GS-012, GS-008, GS-005, Shop 12 Cement Store, as well as several stores and open grounds whose owners were not immediately identified.
A truck, registration number UBE 003T, was also among the premises or vehicles linked to the operation.
UNBS Senior Surveillance Officer Sarah Nantongo said the operation was intended to ensure fair trade and protect consumers from paying for quantities they do not receive.
“Consumers have a right to receive the accurate product quantity as declared on a product. Any practice that deliberately compromises the quantity of a product, including the repackaging and sale of underweight commodities, is unacceptable,” Nantongo said.
She said UNBS would continue conducting market surveillance and taking enforcement action against businesses and products that fail to meet mandatory standards.
The suspects apprehended during the operation were handed over to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Uganda Police Force for further investigation.
UNBS said enforcement action is being pursued against the proprietors of the businesses involved, while further investigations and follow-up inspections will be conducted.
The operation was carried out under the UNBS Act, Cap 210, the UNBS Market Surveillance Regulations, 2022, and standards governing cement composition, specifications, conformity criteria and labelling requirements for pre-packaged products.
UNBS has cautioned traders against selling underweight or non-conforming products, as well as illegal repackaging and adulteration of commodities.
Consumers have also been urged to check product labels and report suspected substandard products to UNBS through its toll-free lines 0800133133 or 0800233233.
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