The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has defended cement manufacturers following concerns raised on social media about alleged underweight cement bags.
UNBS executive director, James Nkamwesiga Kasigwa, said the bureau launched investigations after a video circulating on social media claimed that some cement bags being sold on the market did not meet the required weight.
Kasigwa said UNBS, whose mandate is to ensure that consumers receive products of the right quality and quantity, carried out inspections at several cement manufacturing plants to establish whether the allegations were true.
“Our responsibility is to ensure that the public consumes goods that meet the required quality and quantity standards. After receiving the allegations, we inspected several cement manufacturing companies to verify the claims,” Kasigwa said.
He said the inspections found that cement produced by the manufacturers met the required standards and that the factories were packaging cement according to the approved weight specifications.
Kasigwa added that cement manufactured in Uganda meets internationally recognised quality standards and remains competitive in regional and international markets.
However, he explained that underweight cement bags may arise after products leave the factory, especially during transportation, storage, repackaging, or through unauthorized handling by individuals who are not part of the manufacturing process.
He said investigations had identified cases of underweight cement being sold by some hardware dealers in Mukono and Nakasongola districts.
UNBS did not accuse any cement manufacturer of wrongdoing but said the problem appears to involve handling and trade practices outside the factories.
Kasigwa said UNBS has intensified market surveillance, inspections and monitoring of packaging practices to curb the sale of underweight products and protect consumers.
He warned that anyone found deliberately tampering with product weights or defrauding consumers would face legal action under Uganda’s standards and weights and measures laws.
“We strongly appeal to the public to report anyone involved in selling underweight products. Anyone found defrauding consumers through false weights or measurements commits a criminal offence and will be dealt with in accordance with the law,” he said.
UNBS urged consumers and traders to buy products from legitimate suppliers and report suspected cases of product tampering to the bureau for investigation.
