Journalists in Uganda have been urged to strengthen reporting on metrology and product standards to help protect consumers and support enforcement against substandard and counterfeit goods on the market.
The call was made during a three-day media training organized by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) at Hotel Paradise on the Nile. The workshop aimed to equip journalists with knowledge and skills to report effectively on measurement standards, product quality, and consumer protection.
Participants emphasized the need for journalists to develop investigative stories that inform the public while supporting regulatory agencies in enforcing standards.
Officials from the Uganda National Bureau of Standards noted that many products sold and consumed in Uganda are of poor quality or counterfeit, yet consumers continue to purchase them due to limited awareness or the lure of lower prices.
According to UNBS, some traders import substandard goods despite regulations, making it difficult for authorities to trace and eliminate such products from the market.
Speaking during the opening session, Daniel Arolwa, a UNBS official, urged journalists to play a proactive role in exposing unscrupulous business practices through responsible investigative reporting.
“Media practitioners should help identify and expose individuals dealing in substandard products so that the responsible authorities can take action for the good of the population,” Arolwa said. He, however, cautioned journalists to adhere to ethical and life-saving principles of reporting.
In Uganda, many consumers often rush to buy cheaper products without realizing that they may be of poor quality or counterfeit. UNBS warned that dealing in such products attracts legal penalties when offenders are apprehended.
UNBS also highlighted the importance of metrology, the science of measurement, in sectors such as agriculture where accurate weighing and testing are critical for trade and farmer incomes.
In a recent report released in Kampala, UNBS Director General Israel Ekwesigye said the country is making progress in ensuring agricultural products meet international standards.
The report focuses on measurement and testing of commodities such as coffee, tea and maize, which are key export crops.
“Accurate measurements are crucial in agriculture, from weighing produce to testing moisture levels,” said Ekwesigye. “Our report shows we are on the right track, but there is still work to be done to boost farmer incomes and increase exports.”
The report recommends strengthening metrology infrastructure and training more experts to support quality assurance in the agricultural sector.
As part of the training, journalists conducted field visits to assess compliance with standards and pricing practices in markets. At Jinja Central Market, butcher Ssekajja Muhammad told reporters that traders use verified weighing scales to ensure customers are not cheated.
UNBS said it is working with development partners such as TradeMark Africa and UK Aid to support media engagement and community outreach on standards and metrology issues.
The initiative is expected to enhance public awareness and strengthen collaboration between regulators, journalists and consumers in safeguarding product quality across Uganda.
