A total of 2,087.8 kilograms of substandard and dangerous cosmetics have been confiscated at Jumbo Arcade in downtown Kampala. The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) conducted a two-day targeted market surveillance operation aimed at enforcing compliance with national standards for cosmetics and personal care products.
According to UNBS, the operation followed prior intelligence and resulted in the seizure of products containing the banned ingredient hydroquinone from 21 out of 25 inspected shops. Hydroquinone is prohibited in Uganda because long-term use can cause skin damage and increase the risk of cancer, prompting UNBS to ban its use under compulsory national standards to safeguard consumers.
The suspects linked to the seized cosmetics are expected to be arraigned before the Standards and Utilities Court. Under Section 3 (1)(f) of the UNBS Act, the bureau is mandated to enforce standards that protect the public from harmful and substandard products. Additionally, Section 22 (1) prohibits the use of the UNBS Distinctive Mark without certification, while Section 23 (1) outlaws the importation, manufacture, or sale of products that fail to meet Uganda’s compulsory standards.
UNBS has urged consumers to purchase only certified cosmetic products bearing the UNBS Quality (Q) Mark and to report suspicious or unlabelled products through its toll-free lines 0800 133 133 and 233 233, or via WhatsApp on 0713 112 133.
“UNBS remains committed to protecting the health and safety of consumers through continuous market surveillance, enforcement of compulsory standards, and public awareness campaigns,” said Sylvia Kirabo, the Bureau’s Head of Marketing and Public Relations.
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