Journalists urged to expose substandard, counterfeit goods in news reporting

Jinja City, Uganda: Journalists across Uganda have been urged to take a leading role in exposing substandard and counterfeit products by strengthening reporting on standards and metrology to protect consumers and support national trade.

The call was made during a three-day media training on standards reporting held at Hotel Paradise on the Nile in Jinja City, organised by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS).

Speaking at the training, Sylvia Kirabo, the Public Relations Officer at UNBS, emphasised the critical role the media plays in promoting awareness about standards and their importance in improving product quality and boosting Uganda’s exports.

“Journalists are a critical pillar in the development of our country,” Kirabo said. “We want the media to demystify the role of standards in increasing Uganda’s exports and enable Small and Medium Enterprises to pursue certification.”

Kirabo noted that UNBS remains concerned about Uganda’s national quality culture, where many consumers do not prioritise standards when purchasing goods. “We are looking at creating a culture among Ugandans that values standards,” she said.

During the training, Daniel Arolwa, a lawyer and trainer at UNBS, urged journalists to actively investigate and report cases involving counterfeit and substandard products on the market.

“We ask the media to always carry out investigations and report about substandard and counterfeit goods. This is crucial in protecting consumers and promoting quality,” Arolwa said.

The training, facilitated by Ultimate Multimedia Consultant in partnership with UK International Development and TradeMark Africa, aimed to equip journalists with skills to produce impactful stories that benefit consumers, strengthen law enforcement efforts, and promote compliance with national standards.

Journalists from several districts across Uganda attended the training and were later awarded certificates of completion.