The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has seized 17,770 litres of illicit alcohol during a surveillance operation in Nakulabye and Kiwunya suburbs of Kampala District.
The operation followed consumer complaints about suspected substandard alcoholic products on the market, according to UNBS.
During the operation, the UNBS surveillance team also discovered approximately 8,500 litres of unlabelled neutral spirit and about 600 bottles of uncertified gin, each with a capacity of 200 millilitres.
The operation was conducted under the UNBS Act, Cap. 210, the UNBS Market Surveillance Regulations, 2022, and applicable standards, including US EAS 109:2018 – Potable Spirit Specification and US 1028:2013 – Labelling Requirements for Pre-packaged Products.
Among the uncertified gin brands seized were Timing, Soccer/Socar, Kyakabi, Revo and Cheza.
At Brenda Beverages and Logistics Shop in Nakulabye, UNBS seized 216 bottles of uncertified gin, while Mwanguhya Shop in Kiwunya had 350 bottles seized.
The surveillance operation also uncovered large quantities of illicit alcohol at several premises.
Happy Emmanuels Stores recorded the largest seizure, with 9,120 litres of illicit alcohol, in addition to 4,500 litres of neutral spirit stored in 18 drums.
At Fred Asiimwe’s Store, UNBS seized 2,320 litres of illicit alcohol and approximately 4,000 litres of unlabelled neutral spirit contained in 16 drums.
Other seizures included 3,500 litres at Harriets Shop, 1,570 litres at Lillies Quality Suppliers, 1,060 litres at Musoke Adolf Shop and 200 litres at Nakulabye Super Waragi and Spirit.
UNBS has urged consumers to exercise caution when purchasing alcoholic products and to check for proper labelling and certification.
The standards body also encouraged members of the public to report suspected uncertified, improperly labelled or otherwise non-compliant products to the relevant authorities for investigation.
The seizures form part of UNBS’s market surveillance efforts aimed at removing substandard and non-compliant products from the Ugandan market and protecting consumers from potentially unsafe products.
