The Uganda National Bureau of Standards has seized more than 7,970 rolls of substandard and unlabelled toilet paper in Kampala and Entebbe following public complaints over suspicious hygiene products.
The enforcement operation targeted areas in Katanga along Binaisa Road in Wandegeya, near Mulago Hospital, as well as parts of Entebbe, where officials uncovered a network of vendors and storage facilities distributing the products to unsuspecting consumers.
UNBS said investigations confirmed that the seized toilet paper did not meet mandatory national quality and safety standards. The products reportedly lacked certification and proper labelling, in violation of Uganda Standard US 126:2019 and the UNBS Market Surveillance and Enforcement Regulations, 2022.
Authorities arrested four suspects during the operation. They are currently detained at Jinja Road Police Station and are expected to face charges related to the possession and sale of substandard goods.
The bureau said the crackdown is part of intensified market surveillance efforts aimed at protecting public health and ensuring compliance with national standards. Officials warned that substandard hygiene products pose risks to consumers and undermine fair trade practices.
UNBS has established specific standards regulating toilet paper quality, including US 126:2019 for general specifications, as well as regional standards for jumbo and regular tissue products. These guidelines outline requirements for safe and hygienic production.
The agency urged the public to remain vigilant and report dealers of suspected substandard products through its toll-free lines.
UNBS is mandated to enforce standards to safeguard public health, protect the environment, and ensure the quality of goods on the Ugandan market. Officials say similar enforcement operations will continue nationwide to curb the distribution of unsafe products.