Business

You’re on Your Own If You Can’t Trace the Seller: UNBS Urges Vigilance Against Risky Street Products

"If you buy something and can't trace the person who sold it to you, then you are on your own in case of a problem,"
210 views0
Daniel Arorwa, Manager of Market Surveillance at the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) addressing journalists in Mukono
By

MUKONO, Uganda: Consumers in Uganda particularly those who frequently buy from street vendors, must exercise greater personal responsibility to avoid substandard and potentially harmful products, Daniel Arorwa, Manager of Market Surveillance at the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has warned. Speaking at a media training workshop on standards and metrology at Ridar Hotel in Mukono on Monday 2nd, Arorwa highlighted the dangers posed by unlabeled, locally produced goods that often fail to meet minimum safety and quality standards.

The training, organized by UNBS with support from TradeMark Africa and UKAID, was part of a nationwide initiative to equip journalists with the knowledge needed for accurate and impactful reporting on quality assurance, consumer protection and metrology (weights and measures). The training focuses on bridging the gap between regulators and the media to promote awareness of standards related issues amid Uganda’s push for industrial growth and export competitiveness.

Arorwa addressed a key challenge in Uganda’s informal markets: the common practice of purchasing goods from street vendors. Many of these products; often locally produced foods, beverages, household items, or personal care goods, are sold without proper labeling. This makes it nearly impossible for buyers to identify the producer, manufacturer, or supplier.

Super millers is a common name belonging to no one in particular. So when you get any problem with it, we cannot trace the source. Daniel warned. (Photo/UNBS)

“If you buy something and can’t trace the person who sold it to you, then you are on your own in case of a problem,” Arorwa warned.

He urged Ugandans to “learn to be responsible about their lives and stop taking substandard products,” emphasizing that traceability is essential for seeking redress, reporting issues, or holding sellers accountable when products cause health risks, such as food poisoning, allergic reactions, or other harms from non-compliant items. Unlabeled or poorly labeled goods frequently bypass minimum standards for hygiene, composition, or safety, leading to widespread consumer exposure to substandard products in informal trade channels.

Arorwa’s remarks underscore UNBS’s ongoing efforts to enforce compliance and remove such items from the market through surveillance and stakeholder engagements.

Daniel advised that Every Miller is required to maintain good hygiene, get certified by UNBS with a distinct brand name for traceability. (Photo/UNBS)

Turning to importers and formal businesses, Arorwa advised proactive steps to avoid costly pitfalls associated with importing. “Test your goods before you import them and get a Certificate of Conformity (COC). This will save you the cost associated with testing, including time waste and money paid in demurrage. “A Certificate of Conformity, part of UNBS’s Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) requirements, confirms that imported products meet Ugandan standards prior to shipment. Failing to obtain one often results in goods being detained at entry points for mandatory testing, incurring storage fees (demurrage), delays, and potential rejection or destruction.

 

What's your reaction?

Excited
3
Happy
1
In Love
0
Not Sure
0
Silly
0
Stephen Okhutu is a Ugandan Journalist since 2003 with a special bias in Business. He is a startup founder, a licensed investor and an ISO lead implementer Okhutu has dedicated himself to helping young business entrepreneurs build sustainable and profitable ventures. He has written a number of books including the best selling Cowards Don’t Think
Email: editor@scribe.co.ug
    Previous
    Next

    You may also like

    Comments are closed.

    More in:Business

    Business

    PRESIDENT MUSEVENI URGES EUROPEAN INVESTORS TO TAP INTO UGANDA’S ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES 

    President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged European investors to take advantage of Uganda’s economic opportunities, particularly in infrastructure, energy, manufacturing and agriculture, saying investment in productive sectors is key to expanding markets, creating jobs and accelerating economic transformation.    The President made the remarks today at State House Entebbe during a meeting with European Union Ambassadors and investors, where he highlighted Africa’s growing population and expanding market as a major opportunity for European businesses seeking investment and stronger economic partnerships. “This is what we have been advising our European friends to look at, because Africa is a big potential market with its fast-growing population,” he said. President Museveni attributed political instability in some African countries partly to identity-based politics, including tribalism, religious divisions and ideological misunderstandings, as well as a failure to appreciate the role of the private sector in driving economic growth. He said Uganda had learnt from these challenges and emphasised the need for a stable political and economic environment that enables private businesses to invest, expand production and create employment. The President welcomed ongoing and proposed European investments in Uganda, particularly in infrastructure and other productive sectors, saying such projects would strengthen economic links between Uganda and the European market. “All these projects are music to my ears. By constructing these projects here, you are linking the market of Uganda to that of Europe. Why can’t anyone see that?” he asked. On energy, President Museveni said the cost of electricity remained a critical factor in Uganda’s competitiveness, particularly for manufacturers seeking to produce goods at affordable prices. While welcoming private-sector investment in hydropower generation, he called for greater attention to electricity tariffs, arguing that affordable power was essential for industrial expansion and economic growth. He identified affordable electricity, railway transport and accessible financing for productive investments as key priorities for strengthening Uganda’s manufacturing sector. The President cited the Uganda Development Bank as an important source of financing for businesses engaged in productive activities, explaining that the government had retained the institution to support investments capable of expanding production and creating jobs. He also urged the European Investment Bank to channel more financing into strategic infrastructure, particularly railway development, electricity generation and distribution, and selected road projects. On road infrastructure, President Museveni encouraged European investors to explore opportunities in construction and financing models, including tolling arrangements where appropriate. The President also reaffirmed the government’s support for tax incentives aimed at attracting investment, particularly in manufacturing, and emphasised the importance of enabling eligible businesses to benefit from a 10-year tax holiday. ...
    By Moses Buule Kizito