David Livingstone Ebiru, Deputy Executive Director UNBS told MPs on the Trade and Tourism committee today that the bureau faces challenges in prosecution of cases of suspects implicated in importing and selling counterfeit goods in the general courts.
The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) is pushing for a special court to handle cases of individuals implicated in the importation and sale of substandard goods in the country.
David Livingstone Ebiru, Deputy Executive Director UNBS, told MPs on the Trade and Tourism committee today that the bureau faces challenges in prosecution of cases of suspects implicated in selling counterfeit goods in the general courts.
Ebiru says with the special court in place, it will fast-track the prosecution of implicated individuals and companies, while also acting as a deterrent to others.
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Ebiru led officials from UNBS for an interactive meeting with the committee to discuss its mandate and challenges, with one of these being lack of adequate staff to monitor standards in the country.
A number of MPs, including Geoffrey Macho of Busia Municipality backed the proposal, noting that with the increase in tonnes of counterfeit goods flooding the country every day, it is imperative that the culprits face the full force of the law, which should also be fast-tracked.
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However, Kampala Woman MP Nabila Nagayi Ssempala, disagreed saying UNBS should first utilise its current capacity and liaise with other authorities like Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) to prosecute suspects.
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Dr. Nsaba Buturo, Bufumbira East MP tasked UNBS to also probe its officers, whom he claims collude with importers to smuggle in counterfeit goods.
Olive Eyotaru
Freelancer