Ugandan businessmen and women who deal in the importation of used textile products and footwear have been dealt a blow in their operations as Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has with immediate effect suspended the importation and clearance of such products into the country until further notice.
In a statement released by the Standards body, the move is a precautionary measure in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, and in line with the Uganda Standards US EAS 386:2005 and US EAS 356:2004 formulated to ensure that consumers get quality products that match value for their money.
“Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) informs all its stakeholders and importers of used footwear and used textiles that, as a precautionary measure, the importation of these commodities has been suspended with immediate effect until further notice. The suspension follows the declaration of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), a global pandemic by World Health Organization (WHO), and in line with Uganda Standards US EAS 386:2005 and US EAS 356:2004,” the statement released by UNBS prtly reds.
In the past, government has implemented policies that discourage or ban altogether the importation of used products into the country like electronics and very old cars in order to protect Ugandans from consuming sub-standard products and prevent the country from becoming a dumping site of used products.