Consumer rights advocates, journalists, regulators and civil society actors have renewed calls for stronger enforcement of product and service standards as a key step towards protecting Ugandans from unsafe goods, exploitation and unfair trade practices.
The call was made on Monday, August 10, 2026, during a three-hour virtual Media League Webinar organised by CONSENT Uganda – Global Consumer Centre under the theme, “The Role of Standards in Realising Consumer Justice and Protection.”
Held via Zoom from 2:00pm to 5:00pm, the webinar brought together stakeholders to explore how effective standards can contribute to safer products, better services and a fairer marketplace for consumers.
The session was led by Mr. Kimera Henry, Team Lead at CONSENT Uganda, and Mr. Benard Bwambale, Head of Programs.
Speaking during the webinar, Henry described standards as more than technical requirements, saying they are an important tool for advancing social justice and protecting consumers.
“When standards are adhered to, consumers get value for money, safe products, and a fair marketplace. Without standards, the market becomes a jungle where the weak are exploited,” he said.
Bwambale urged journalists to take a more active role in exposing consumer rights violations and educating the public about their rights.
“Journalists are the bridge between regulators and the consumer. When you expose substandard products, you are protecting lives and promoting fair trade,” he noted.
Participants identified counterfeit and substandard goods, inadequate product labelling and weak enforcement of standards as some of the challenges that continue to affect consumers in Uganda.
They, however, noted that a stronger partnership between regulators, businesses, the media and consumer organisations could help address these challenges and create greater public awareness.
The webinar called for increased consumer education, particularly through media campaigns delivered in local languages, to ensure that consumers can make informed purchasing decisions.
Participants also encouraged journalists to investigate and report cases of consumer abuse while holding duty bearers and businesses accountable.
The webinar generated several recommendations aimed at strengthening consumer protection in Uganda:
- Strengthen enforcement of standards by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) and other regulatory bodies.
- Expand consumer education through sustained media campaigns, including programming in local languages.
- Empower journalists to investigate, expose and report consumer rights violations.
- Encourage businesses to comply with voluntary and mandatory standards to improve consumer confidence and promote fair competition.
The Media League Webinar is part of CONSENT Uganda’s ongoing efforts to build a network of informed journalists capable of championing consumer justice and protection.
The organisation says an informed and empowered consumer is better positioned to demand quality, safety and value for money, while responsible businesses benefit from greater trust in the marketplace.
The webinar ended on an optimistic note, with participants reaffirming the importance of standards in building a marketplace where consumers are protected and businesses can compete fairly.