The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has impounded approximately 4,964 litres of fake and substandard paint worth Ugx74,460,000 in a surveillance operation carried out at Naiga complex in downtown Kampala.
According to the UNBS spokesperson, Ms. Sylvia Kirabo, the suspects, who were arrested and are to be arraigned before the Standards and Utilities court, seem not to have technical competence in paint manufacturing.
“The people we have found here have no knowledge whatsoever, of what paint is supposed to be made of, so they cannot make informed decisions to put a quality product on the market,” Ms. Kirabo said.
“They are counterfeiting known brands on the market, we have found over six certified brands being counterfeited. The culprits have forged UNBS certification seals for their finished products, and they operate outlets and retail networks that supply these fake and substandard goods. These shops have also been inspected, and the substandard and counterfeit products seized.”
Ms. Kirabo added that the operation followed intelligence-led surveillance efforts that have been ongoing since August this year, revealing that many substandard products being sold across the country originate from Kampala.
“Our market surveillance and intelligence operations continue to point us to Kampala as the source of most illegal manufacturing activities,” she explained. “We have about 40 registered paint manufacturers in Uganda producing over 230 certified brands. However, the suspects are not among the registered manufacturers, their products are substandard.
A substandard product is one that doesn’t meet the quality requirements or specifications of the standard while a counterfeit product is an imitation or unauthorized replica or copy of a genuine product produced with the malicious intent to deceive and mislead consumers into believing that the items are genuine when they are not.
The UNBS spokesperson thus emphasized that all paint products on the market must comply with national standards, which clearly outline the required chemical composition, quality, and safety specifications. These standards are designed to protect consumers from harmful substances and ensure fair trade practices. She also noted that counterfeiting products is illegal and harmful to public health and safety
Ms. Kirabo highlighted the global concern regarding lead content in paint, noting that lead is a restricted heavy metal due to its toxic effects on human health and the environment.
“UNBS strictly regulates the permitted levels of lead in paint. Any product exceeding these limits is deemed hazardous and must not be placed on the market,” she stated.
UNBS encourages all Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) involved in manufacturing to seek UNBS certification before placing their products on the market.
UNBS remains committed to performing its mandate of protecting the health and safety of consumers and promoting fair trade through development, promotion and the enforcement of standards.
