Kampala, Uganda | THE BLACK EXAMINER | Senana Hypermarket has been temporarily shuttered by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) for unlawfully importing containers without the requisite clearance. Acting in accordance with the UNBS Act Cap 327, which empowers it to enforce standards safeguarding the public from unsafe and substandard products, UNBS highlighted that any product failing to meet compulsory Uganda standards is prohibited from import, manufacture, sale, distribution, or storage.
Moreover, the UNBS (Inspection & Clearance) Regulation 2022 mandates that all imported products must undergo UNBS inspection and clearance before entering the market for public consumption.
In contravention of these regulations, Senana Hypermarket imported container CMAU4408124, entry number C117121, containing various supermarket items from bonded Warehouse W0078 (Multiple) without UNBS clearance.
To address this breach, UNBS conducted a field visit to Senana Hypermarket on Tuesday, November 14, 2023. During the visit, they explained the violation to the supermarket management and temporarily sealed off the premises for an inspection of the goods to assess their quality.
In a statement, the bureau assured that Senana is cooperating, and once the inspection concludes with the goods meeting the requirements of the respective Compulsory Uganda Standards, the supermarket will be allowed to reopen.
Established as a government agency, the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) is tasked with developing, promoting, and enforcing national standards. Its overarching mission is to protect public health and safety, ensure environmental well-being, prevent the sale of harmful and substandard products, and foster fair trade and competition.
