Counterfeit law will ensure brand protection, say MPs

Legislators behind the Anti-Counterfeit Goods Bill, 2023 have finalised the drafting the long-awaited legislation that they say will see a comprehensive address of issues related to counterfeiting of goods and services in the country.

Asuman Basalirwa (Bugiri Municipality - Jeema), Jonathan Odur (Erute South - UPC) and Denis Lee Oguzu (Maracha - FDC) says the Bill that will ensure brand protection will also bar both the sellers and producers from selling expired goods or products.

In 2023, Parliament under the stewardship of Speaker Anita Among granted Basalirwa, Odur and Oguzu leave of absence to draft the Anti-Counterfeit Bill.

The first draft is now ready according to the movers of the Bill and regional consultations to enrich the draft law are to be conducted before presenting it to the House for the second reading.

Basalirwa said once the Bill is passed, it will make it difficult for a fake re-branded product to access the Ugandan market.

The bill of the according the movers will also bar both the sellers and Producers from selling expired goods or products.

According to counsel Fred Muwema, Uganda is the only Country in East Africa without a law that regulates counterfeit products.

It is estimated that 70 percent of the products on the Ugandan markets are said to be fake.