consumer protection 6 August 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
UNBS Mandates Bag Weighing to Combat Cement Fraud
The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) is now requiring cement dealers to have verified weighing scales at their outlets following public outcry over underweight cement bags circulating on the market. Consumers are encouraged to verify bag weights before purchase. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/unbs-orders-mandatory-weighing-of-cement-bags-to-curb-fraud-5548946
The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has stepped in to address widespread concerns about cement bags being sold underweight, a problem amplified by viral social media videos. In a new directive, the UNBS is mandating that all cement dealerships install and maintain verified weighing scales on their premises.
This move comes after investigations by the UNBS revealed that while certified cement manufacturers adhere to national weight and quality standards, unscrupulous traders are tampering with products after they leave the factories. Reports indicated that some 50kg bags were found to weigh as little as 40-42kg, defrauding builders and consumers.
UNBS Executive Director James Kasigwa stated that routine inspections at major manufacturing plants, including those of Tororo Cement, Simba Cement, and Hima Cement, confirmed compliance with the Weights and Measures Act. However, market surveillance did uncover instances of underweight cement being sold in hardware outlets in Mukono, Mbale, and Nakasongola districts.
The modus operandi involved traders refilling genuine bags with less cement after siphoning some out, then resealing them for resale. UNBS has since sealed off offending warehouses, arrested suspects, and initiated prosecution.
To bolster consumer protection, UNBS urges buyers to utilize the newly required weighing scales to confirm the weight of cement before purchase. Consumers are also advised to look for the UNBS Quality Mark on bags and inspect for any signs of tampering, such as altered labels or dates. Furthermore, construction site supervisors are encouraged to destroy empty bags after use to prevent their reuse by fraudsters, while manufacturers are being urged to develop systems for collecting used packaging.
The UNBS is calling on the public to report any suspected cases of underweight or adulterated cement to aid in their enforcement efforts against fraudulent traders.