Standard body calls for vigilance, vows to curb consumer rights abuses
The UNBS Head, Public Relations and Marketing, Sylvia Kirabo, urged journalists to strengthen their ethical and accurate reporting on counterfeits and substandard products, insisting that there is need to safeguard public health, and rule of law, fairly, and without tarnishing one's business.
Journalists were urged to avoid misleading reports, for they can ruin legitimate businesses and spark public panic.
KAMPALA - Counterfeit and substandard products are a concern among Ugandan consumers, with authorities warning that many buyers are likely unknowingly purchasing fake commodities.
The country’s standard body, Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), notes that although counterfeit products are often sold, very few complaints are lodged by consumers, highlighting the need for Ugandans to be more vigilant and responsible by reporting suspicious, substandard, and counterfeit products.
“Ugandans must be responsible for their lives. You’re entitled to quality products, irrespective of the price you pay for the commodity,” said Daniel Arorwa, the UNBS Manager, Market Surveillance.
He added, “So, don’t buy commodities on streets because in case it is a counterfeit, and you recognise it, even if you come to UNBS offices to report, we can go there the following day, but the vendor who sold you the commodity, might have left, so always buy commodities from designated traders, whom we can easily trace in case of anything not proper on the product.”
During the training, Arorwa (Pictured) , who also represented Eng. James Kasigwa, the UNBS Executive Director, urged consumers to report any suspected counterfeit products, insisting that consumer vigilance is key to protecting rights and ensuring accountability in the marketplace. (Credit: Douglas Mubiru)
Arorwa made the remarks during a four-day media training on standards and metrology reporting held at Ridar Hotel, Seeta in Mukono district.
The training, which started Sunday, February 1, 2026, and ended Wednesday, February 4th, was organised by UNBS alongside Ultimate Multimedia Consult with support from UKaid and Trade Mark Africa.
During the training, Arorwa, who also represented Eng. James Kasigwa, the UNBS Executive Director, urged consumers to report any suspected counterfeit products, insisting that consumer vigilance is key to protecting rights and ensuring accountability in the marketplace.
Under the law, Section 3 subsection (1) (f) of the UNBS Act mandates UNBS to enforce standards in protection of the public against harmful ingredients, dangerous and sub-standard products.
“Section 21, subsection (1) of the Act prohibits the importation, manufacture, sale, distribution or holding for the purpose of selling any product that does not meet compulsory Uganda standards,” remarked Arorwa, calling on all manufacturers whose products are not certified by UNBS to ensure that they do so before enforcement apprehends them.
A UNBS laboratory analyst in one of the institution's laboratories where different product samples are taken for quality testing. (Credit: Douglas Mubiru)
Laboratory tests
Senior analyst and deputy head of laboratory at UNBS, Eva Namutebi, said to ensure that consumers are protected from harmful and substandard commodities, they evaluate samples using analytical techniques.
“The Chemistry, Microbiology and Material Engineering laboratories have International Accreditation based on ISO/IEC 17025:2017 (since 2001). So, we conduct thorough screening to ensure they are free from methanol and safe for human consumption,” Namutebi said.
Sylvia Kirabo, the UNBS Head Public Relations and Marketing highlighted the media’s role on accurate reporting. (Credit: Douglas Mubiru)
Be ethical
In her remarks, the UNBS Head, Public Relations and Marketing, Sylvia Kirabo, urged journalists to strengthen their ethical and accurate reporting on counterfeits and substandard products, insisting that there is need to safeguard public health, and rule of law, fairly, and without tarnishing one's business.
“This should not be mere reporting. Counterfeits impact all that our societies use: food, medicines, electronics, the country's revenue, and public trust. So, we should report and sensitise consumers rightfully without bias and where to report those selling or dealing in such illegitimate businesses,” she urged.
She added, “Avoid misleading reports, for they can ruin legitimate businesses and spark public panic. Coordinating with authorities for factual reports eases investigations and gains public trust for any media house. Therefore, our collaboration will highly combat illicit counterfeit trade.”