The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has launched a crackdown on a counterfeit cement operation in Luweero Town Council, following the arrest of two individuals suspected to obtain substandard cement on Saturday, April 5.
Dauda Mutaasa, 35, and businessman Ronald Onyango are at the centrer of the allegations.
The two are accused of mixing genuine cement from reputable brands such as Hima, Tororo, and Simba with stone dust to illegally increase the volume of their product.
The scheme was uncovered following multiple public complaints about the poor quality of cement being sold in the area.
According to UNBS surveillance officer Sarah Nantongo, the suspect has been caught with foreign substances that are not approved in the manufacture of cement.
“This businessman has been found with some suspect ingredients which are illegal in cement production. He mixes them with real cement to increase quantity, but the final product is of poor quality,” Nantongo explained.
She added that the adulterated cement poses serious risks to consumers, particularly in construction where strength and integrity are paramount.
“They use a lot of additives in proper cement to make it strong, such as calcium carbonate and iron. But when you alter this formula or add the wrong substances, it becomes a completely different product. The counterfeit usually weighs less and sometimes fails to bind,” she said.
Nantongo also revealed that the suspects has been packaging the counterfeit cement in unauthorized bags marked with fake quality assurance symbols.
“They are using our Q-mark and other fake quality symbols. This is illegal. The suspect will face charges of unauthorized use of the Mark and possession of substandard products,” she added.
If convicted, Mutaasa and his accomplice could face a fine of up to Shs. 30 million or imprisonment for up to five years.
Luweero Police has already prepared the case file and will be referring it to the Buganda Road Utility Court in Kampala.
Savannah Region Police spokesperson, Sam Twiineamazima, confirmed the arrests and ongoing investigations.
“We have Mutaasa in custody and investigations are underway. Over 500 bags of cement have been confiscated for testing,” Twiineamazima said.
UNBS has urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious cement or other products lacking proper certification marks.
“Don’t buy anything without checking for our certification marks like the Q-mark. It’s our mandate to ensure public safety, and we need the public’s help to do that,” Nantongo urged.
The crackdown underscores UNBS’s commitment to curbing the circulation of counterfeit construction materials, which pose serious safety hazards and economic risks.