CEMENT DEALERS IN ARUA DEFY UNBS ORDER TO WEIGH BAGS BEFORE BUYERS

By Morish Dramadri

Arua city

Dealers in hardware shops in Arua City have declined to comply with a directive by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) requiring them to undertake mandatory weighing of cement in the presence of their customers, arguing that their products meet the standard weights indicated on the packaging.

On Thursday, August 6, 2026, the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) announced new measures requiring cement dealers to install verified weighing scales at their outlets and urged builders to verify the weight of every cement bag purchased.

The directive followed several public concerns over underweight products on the market, including a viral social media video showing a cement bag labelled 50 kilograms allegedly weighing between 40 and 42 kilograms.

A random survey by Radio Pacis within hardware shops in Arua City observed that none of the dealers was weighing cement in the presence of buyers as directed by UNBS. When approached for comment, none of the dealers was willing to speak on the matter.

However, Peter Debele, a former Resident District Commissioner and building contractor, attests that irregularities in the weight and quality of cement are real, urging buyers to take action to protect themselves from unscrupulous dealers.

“Some ten or so years ago, I bought cement and the cement was adulterated. Of late, we hear of shortfalls in the weight of cement. Those who are buying cement, take interest in the cement you are buying. Try to weigh it. If you are buying one kilogram or ten kilograms, it must be ten kilograms equivalent to your money,” Debele urged.

Equally, Hon. Godfrey Anguyo, the former city councillor for Ayivu North, confirms that underweight products still persist on the market, urging buyers to pay close attention to product weights and certification to ensure they receive the right quality and quantity.

“Here in Arua City, you go to Drivers’ Corner, you can do your own research. There’s a warehouse where they are selling cement and they write 50 kilograms on it. I bought that cement, and when you go and weigh it, some are 45 kilograms. Imagine losing five kilograms of cement that could have done a lot of work!” Anguyo exclaimed.

Whereas Silas Anguzu, the chairman of the Uganda National Chamber of Commerce for Arua City, blames the persistence of underweight products on the limited field operations of the enforcing body, UNBS, noting that this is creating further financial losses for buyers.

“This is removing money from the hands of the people. It is impoverishing our people and it must be addressed immediately. It is very saddening to see a pickup coming all the way from Gulu, you go and arrest about ten weighing scales and then you go back. This is opening the door for extortion and fraud,” Anguzu said.

Under the Weights and Measures Act, selling, delivering, or misrepresenting goods with a lesser quantity than stated constitutes an offence and is punishable upon conviction.

Written by newsroom-radiopacis