Written By | BK Mugizi
Some of the seized goods by the UNBS
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KAMPALA
The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has seized more than 880 tonnes of substandard products worth approximately Shs3 billion during the 2025/2026 financial year.
UNBS is the government agency mandated to develop, promote and enforce standards to protect public health, safety and the environment, while ensuring fairness in trade.
The seized products included food items, cosmetics, construction materials and other goods that failed to meet the required safety and quality standards.
UNBS said the operation was part of its intensified market surveillance activities aimed at protecting consumers from dangerous products that could pose risks to their health and safety.
6,642 inspections conducted nationwide
The standards body carried out 6,642 inspections at points of sale, food processing facilities, distribution trucks, chemical and consumer goods factories, steel and engineering factories, among other establishments.
The Central Region recorded the highest number of inspections, followed by the Western, Eastern and Northern regions.
UNBS said the inspections targeted both locally manufactured and imported products that did not comply with mandatory Uganda standards, including expired goods being sold by some wholesalers and retailers.
Speaking on the enforcement exercise, UNBS Principal Public Relations Officer Sylvia Kirabo said the bureau would continue strengthening market surveillance to protect consumers.
"We have intensified our market surveillance activities to ensure that products on the market meet the required standards. We shall continue working with manufacturers, traders and consumers to eliminate substandard goods that put people's health and safety at risk," Kirabo said.
Manufacturers urged to comply with standards
During the inspections, UNBS identified several businesses operating in violation of standards requirements, including shops, supermarkets, hardware stores, cosmetics outlets, maize mills, bakeries, beverage manufacturers and construction material factories.
Some businesses were temporarily suspended from production until they corrected the identified deficiencies, after which they were allowed to resume operations.
UNBS reported that of the 2,622 manufacturing facilities inspected, 1,996 were found to be compliant, representing a 76 percent compliance rate among manufacturers.
Consumers urged to buy certified products
UNBS urged manufacturers that are not yet certified to obtain certification before placing their products on the market.
The agency also advised consumers to purchase only products bearing the UNBS Q-Mark and to report suspected substandard goods through its toll-free lines 0800 133133 and 0800 233233.
