The Parliamentary Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) has raised concerns over allegations that some manufacturers of soft drinks and locally produced alcoholic beverages are using chemicals that could interfere with laboratory tests conducted by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS).
The concerns emerged during a parliamentary inspection of UNBS operations at its headquarters in Bweyogerere, Wakiso District, where lawmakers assessed the institution’s capacity to carry out product testing and address challenges highlighted in the Auditor General’s report for the 2024/2025 financial year.
During the inspection on Thursday, committee members were reportedly informed that some producers were adding chemicals that could mask the composition of their products, making it difficult for UNBS laboratories to identify the ingredients used.
“We have been told that some producers of soft drinks and waragi are mixing a certain chemical that masks the components. So UNBS tests and fails to detect what is actually inside. This is dangerous for Ugandans,” a committee member said.
The allegations raise questions about the effectiveness of existing product-testing procedures and the potential implications for consumer safety. However, the specific chemical involved, the products affected and the extent of the alleged interference were not immediately established.
The committee inspected several facilities at UNBS, including the chemistry, alcoholic beverages, electrical and COVID-19 laboratories, as well as the National Engineering Laboratories, which are still under construction.
Committee chairperson Muwadda Nkunyingi expressed concern over visible cracks in the structure housing the laboratories, warning that the condition of the building could threaten the safety of samples, equipment and laboratory personnel.
“We have observed visible cracks on the structure housing the laboratories. This is unfortunate and poses a serious risk to the samples, the expensive equipment, and the scientists operating from this structure. The building needs urgent attention,” Nkunyingi said.
The committee also raised concerns about UNBS’s ability to handle the volume of samples submitted for testing, citing inadequate staffing and the breakdown of some laboratory equipment.
“The Bureau is overwhelmed by the number of samples. The staffing is inadequate and some equipment has broken down. How do you expect them to deliver quality results under such conditions?” Nkunyingi asked.
The challenges could affect the institution’s testing capacity and its ability to process samples efficiently, highlighting the need for investment in laboratory infrastructure, personnel and equipment.
UNBS Executive Director Eng. James Kasigwa welcomed the committee’s inspection and emphasised the need to strengthen regional testing facilities to reduce pressure on the central laboratory.
“We appreciate the inspection by the Committee. One of the solutions to decongest the central laboratory is to equip our regional centres so that testing can be done closer to the people,” Kasigwa said.
Equipping regional centres could help distribute the workload, reduce delays in sample testing and improve access to standards and quality-assurance services across the country.
The inspection forms part of Parliament’s oversight of public institutions and their performance, particularly in addressing issues identified in the Auditor General’s report.
The committee’s concerns place renewed focus on the capacity of UNBS to enforce product standards, maintain reliable laboratory services and protect consumers from potentially unsafe or non-compliant products.
Further clarification from UNBS on the alleged use of chemicals to mask product ingredients, including the identity of the substances involved and the laboratory procedures used to detect them, would help establish the scope of the concerns raised by lawmakers.