UNBS, Electronics dealers trade blame over counterfeits as body cracks down

The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) and dealers in electronics are continuing to trade blame over the infiltration of counterfeits in the industry.

UNBS claims many traders miss declare the content of their consignments. Traders, for their part, claim that UNBS has failed to monitor and stop counterfeit electronics gaining entry into the marketplace.

The accusations and counter accusations resurfaced during a UNBS operation in downtown Kampala on Thursday, December 20, 2018.

Work on Luwum Street was disrupted as UNBS officials, with the help of Police, raided Yamaha Centre to confiscate fake or substandard electronics stocked for the festive season sale.

UNBS spokesperson Godwin Muhwezi defended the operation, "“Despite having check points at the customs, this is not enough to wipe out substandard products as many tend to under declare what they have brought hence the market surveillance operations."

Muhwezi said that bulbs and electrical extensions are among the most popular items for bringing in as counterfeits because of consumer demand.

But traders transferred the blame to UNBS saying, "All consignments pass in the hands of the UNBS officials before reaching the market, how could they blame us yet its them who verify these products?"

An angry trader charged, "Why would they make us pay for all the charges and the fines and after follow us in the market? It's Charismas season, where we make more money, closing the shops is costing us big.”

The operation follows a recent report which showed that 80% of electronics on the market are substandard hence move to wipe the out.

UNBS confiscated goods from at least 40 shops during the operation. The owners of the goods were given notice to visit UNBS over the goods.