TotalEnergies Marketing Uganda has stepped up efforts to combat counterfeit lubricants through an ongoing nationwide consumer sensitisation campaign named Winini Campaign.
The campaign is aimed at helping the public identify genuine lubricants and protect their engines from damage caused by counterfeit products.
Speaking during a lubricants activation event in Kasangati, Henry Kamukama, a Lubricants Mechanical Supervisor at TotalEnergies Marketing Uganda, said the company is prioritising customer awareness as counterfeit lubricants continue to circulate on the Ugandan market.
“Basically today we are here to do an authentication activation,” Kamukama said. “We want to show our customers how they can identify whether a product is genuinely from TotalEnergies or not.”
Kamukama explained that TotalEnergies lubricants now come with a special authentication seal that customers can scratch to verify the product using a USSD code.
“If you see this seal, it has what we call an authentication section whereby you scratch this section and it helps you identify if this is actually our product or if this is not our product,” he explained.
According to Kamukama, customers are required to send the authentication code through a designated platform to confirm whether the lubricant is genuine.
“When you send the code, we shall tell you if this product is ours or if it is fake,” he said. “If it is ours, the message will tell you the product is genuine and if it is not ours, it will tell you the product is fake.”
He warned that counterfeit lubricants have become a growing concern across the country and called on consumers to remain vigilant whenever purchasing engine oils.
“We know that counterfeit products are all over Uganda, but please let’s fight counterfeits together,” Kamukama said.
The company says counterfeit oils pose serious risks to vehicles, motorcycles, trucks, and industrial equipment because they lack the required additives and quality standards needed for proper engine performance.
“For example, if you use a fake product in your bike, lorry, or car, your engine is likely to fail,” he noted. “These fake oils do not contain the required additives or the correct viscosity gradings needed for vehicles.”
Kamukama added that using counterfeit lubricants can lead to increased fuel consumption, reduced engine efficiency, and poor vehicle performance.
“What it brings about are effects in performance of your car in terms of fuel consumption, power output, and efficiency,” he said. “In the long run, your vehicle is going to fail you.”
He urged motorists to prioritise genuine products to avoid costly repairs and breakdowns.
“It is always better for you to use the right product because the right product shall always give you the right output from your equipment, vehicle, bike, or lorry,” Kamukama emphasised.
As part of the campaign, customers who buy TotalEnergies lubricants, scratch the authentication seal, and verify the code stand a chance to win various prizes including fuel vouchers and other giveaway items.
“We want to give back to our final customers — people who have always been buying and supporting TotalEnergies,” he said. “When you buy, scratch, and send the code, you stand a chance to win many items.”
The activation campaign is expected to run for three months and will cover different parts of the country.
“We are not only in Kampala. We are all over the country,” Kamukama said. “Whether you are in Mbarara, Mukono, Gulu, or Kitgum, you are eligible to participate.”
As part of the campaign, TotalEnergies Uganda is highlighting three of its key lubricant products
tailored for different segments of the transport sector.
Hi-Perf is formulated for motorcycles and boda bodas, offering protection for engines that operate
under high temperatures and heavy day-to-day usage common among commercial riders.
Rubia is
designed for diesel-powered engines such as trucks, buses, and taxis, helping maintain engine
durability and performance under demanding commercial workloads and Quartz, is developed for
petrol-powered vehicles and is engineered to support engine cleanliness, fuel efficiency, and long-term
engine protection.
