UNBS Clears Certified Cement Manufacturers Over Underweight Claims, Blames Illegal Repackaging

The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has assured the public that all certified cement manufacturers in Uganda are complying with prescribed quantity requirements, attributing cases of underweight cement circulating on the market to illegal siphoning and repackaging by unscrupulous traders.

Speaking during a press briefing at the Uganda Media Centre, UNBS Executive Director Eng. James Kasigwa said investigations conducted by the standards body had not found any certified cement manufacturing facility involved in supplying underweight cement bags.

“Our investigations confirm that all UNBS certified cement manufacturers comply with the prescribed quantity requirements. The underweight cement cases we identify arise from illegal siphoning and repackaging at some points of sale, not at certified manufacturing facilities,” Kasigwa said.

The Executive Director said UNBS had intensified market surveillance operations, pre-package control monitoring and laboratory testing to identify and eliminate fraudulent practices that compromise consumer protection and fair trade.

He explained that certified cement products undergo routine inspections, certification audits, market surveillance and laboratory verification to ensure they continue meeting Uganda Standard US EAS 18-1:2017 requirements.

The certified manufacturers whose products comply with the national standards include Hima Cement Limited, Tororo Cement Limited, National Cement Company Uganda Limited (Simba Cement), YBIH Cement Uganda Limited (Bora Cement), Metro Cement Limited and Old Continent Group (Africa) Limited.

Hima Cement’s certified products include Multipurpose (CEM IV/B-P 32.5N), Powermax (CEM II/A-P 42.5N), Supaset (CEM II/B-P 32.5R), Minecem (CEM III/B-SR-42.5L), Powerplus CEM I 42.5R and Powerplus CEM I 42.5N.

Tororo Cement Limited’s certified products include CEM I 42.5N, CEM IV/B-P 32.5N, CEM II/A-P 42.5N and CEM II/B-P 32.5N.

National Cement Company Uganda Limited, which manufactures Simba Cement, has certified products including Simba Power CEM I 42.5N, Simba CEM IV/B(P) 32.5R and Simba CEM II/B-P 32.5N.

YBIH Cement Uganda Limited (Bora Cement) products certified by UNBS include Bora Pro CEM I 42.5R, Bora Pro CEM II/A-P 42.5N, Bora CEM II/B-P 32.5R and Bora CEM IV/B 32.5N.

Metro Cement Limited products listed as compliant include Farasi CEM II B(P) 32.5N, Njovu CEM I 42.5N and Emirate CEM IV/B 32.5N, while Old Continent Group (Africa) Limited’s Alfill White Portland Cement CEM I B(P) 52.5N also meets the required standards.

Kasigwa warned traders involved in selling underweight or adulterated cement that such actions are criminal offences punishable by arrest and prosecution.

“Anyone found selling underweight or adulterated cement commits a criminal offence and is liable to arrest and prosecution,” he said.

UNBS encouraged consumers to take precautionary measures when purchasing cement, including verifying the weight of every bag using UNBS-verified weighing scales, checking product labels, batch numbers and manufacturing dates before making purchases.

Consumers have also been urged to report suspected cases of substandard or fraudulent products through UNBS toll-free lines 0800 133 133 or 0800 233 233.

The standards body said the ongoing enforcement measures are aimed at protecting consumers, promoting fair competition among manufacturers and strengthening confidence in Uganda’s construction materials market.

“Together, we continue to safeguard public health and safety while promoting fair trade and consumer confidence,” UNBS said.