UGANDA – The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has taken decisive action against businesses distributing underweight pre-packaged goods, seized underweight bread from Supa Loaf outlets in Mbarara city and Wakiso district, as well as Jonisa bread from various supermarkets.
The management and owners of these businesses have been summoned for further interrogation, with prosecution to follow for offenses related to the possession and distribution of underweight pre-packaged goods.
In related operations, UNBS has also seized 700 bags of underweight sugar from V.G Keshwala and Sons Limited in Soroti district.
This operation follows public complaints about underweight sugar packed in Kakira-branded sacks.
In a statement, UNBS reported that inspections revealed tampered packaging materials, with holes found in the inner polyethylene layer of the underweight sugar sacks.
“Packing, selling, being in possession of, or holding for sale underweight pre-packaged goods is an offense punishable by law,” the UNBS statement emphasized.
This contravenes the UNBS Act (as amended 2013), the Weights and Measures Act, and the Weights and Measures (Sale and Labelling of Goods) (Amendment) Rules 2020.
UNBS urged all manufacturers, importers, and traders of pre-packaged goods to comply with these laws and regulations, which are available on the UNBS website.
Additionally, consumers are encouraged to demand safe, certified, quality products and report any dealers of substandard goods to UNBS.
This comes as the Attorney General (AG) recently advised against the appointment of Eng James Nkamwesiga Kasigwa as the executive director of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS).
Deputy AG Jackson Kafuuzi Karugaba told the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives to rescind Kasigwa’s appointment and “abide by the laws”.
The AG’s intervention follows a petition by George Ahimbisibwe soon after Kasigwa’s appointment, effective May 13, despite reports that he did not score the highest during the interviews. The position fell vacant following the interdiction of David Livingstone Ebiru over corruption.
The petitioner, through lawyers Wanambugo & Company Advocates, said Kasigwa’s appointment was illegal because he was not one of the top two candidates from the interview process recommended to the minister.
The interviews featured three tests or assessments, including a psychometric, written technical test, PowerPoint presentation, and oral interview—all totaling 100 points.
While the tests had different weights on the final result, the assessment guidelines stated that none of the assessments should be considered in isolation but rather wholesomely.
“This is the reason why the overall score, if it is above the cut-off, 60 percent, should be considered as a good basis for recommending a candidate for further consideration.”
Documents from the assessment show that Fortunate Muyambi Benda scored 79.9 per cent, while Apollo Segawa scored 79.25, and Kasigwa 63.12 per cent respectively. The results sheet also shows that Ajer Basil got 61.46 per cent and Samson Akankiza Mpiira 60.46 per cent, while Joachim Charles Nkwanga was 46.74 per cent.
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