KAMPALA — The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has seized 17,770 litres of illicit alcohol during a market surveillance operation in Nakulabye and Kiwunya suburbs of Kampala.
The operation, conducted on Monday, September 28, 2026, followed consumer complaints about substandard alcoholic products on the market, according to UNBS.
The surveillance team also seized about 8,500 litres of unlabelled neutral spirit and approximately 600 bottles of uncertified gin, each containing 200 millilitres.
The operation was conducted under the UNBS Act, Cap 210, the UNBS Market Surveillance Regulations, 2022, and applicable standards, including US EAS 109:2018 on potable spirit specifications and US 1028:2013 on labelling requirements for pre-packaged products.
Among the uncertified gin brands seized were Timing, Soccer/Socar, Kyakabi, Revo and Cheza.
At Brenda Beverages and Logistics Shop in Nakulabye, UNBS seized 216 bottles of uncertified gin, while 350 bottles were recovered from Mwanguhya Shop in Kiwunya.
The largest seizure of illicit alcohol was recorded at Happy Emmanuels Stores, where UNBS recovered 9,120 litres of alcohol and 4,500 litres of unlabelled neutral spirit stored in 18 drums.
At Fred Asiimwe’s Store, inspectors seized 2,320 litres of illicit alcohol and about 4,000 litres of unlabelled neutral spirit contained in 16 drums.
Other seizures included 3,500 litres from Harriets Shop, 1,570 litres from Lillies Quality Suppliers, 1,060 litres from Musoke Adolf Shop and 200 litres from Nakulabye Super Waragi and Spirit.
UNBS urged consumers to check alcoholic products for proper labelling and certification before purchasing them.
The bureau also encouraged the public to report suspected uncertified, improperly labelled or otherwise non-compliant products for investigation.
UNBS said the surveillance operations are part of its mandate to protect consumers and the environment from dangerous and substandard products.
