Gideon Tumwijukye | Tayari News
KABALE – Despite regulations prohibiting the sale of expired goods, enforcement gaps, low consumer awareness, and economic pressures have perpetuated the problem for years.
For the people of Kabale, every purchase now carries what many describe as an invisible risk.
Doreen Tindimwebwa, who operates a shop along Rugarama Road, says inspections by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) are rare in her area.
“Inspections do not happen often here, and that creates a gap where some traders take advantage,” she said.
Tindimwebwa explained that some traders knowingly keep expired goods in shelves to avoid financial losses, especially when stock moves slowly. “Sometimes goods are brought to us already close to expiry, and without proper inspection, they end up staying on shelves longer than expected,” she added.
David Kasigwa, a shop owner along the Kabale–Kisoro Road, attributes the problem to low sales and seasonal demand.
“There are times when products stay for too long without being bought, and before you know it, they have expired,” he said.
While some suppliers, particularly soda companies, occasionally replace expired stock, Kasigwa notes that this is not consistent across all goods. “UNBS inspections happen maybe once a year, and that is not enough to prevent expired products from circulating.”
According to Kabale District Health Educator Alfred Besigensi, consuming expired products exposes people to harmful microorganisms that can lead to diarrhoea, stomach infections, and, in severe cases, blood-related illnesses.
“When food goes beyond its expiry date, it becomes unsafe because bacteria can grow and cause serious health problems,” Besigensi says.
He also pointed out that expiry dates are often written in English, which makes it difficult for some consumers to understand.
“We need more awareness so that people can check and understand what they are buying,” he emphasised. “Traders must also take responsibility and ensure that only safe products are sold to the public.”
Patricia Bageine Ejalu, the Deputy Executive Director in charge of Standards at the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), says the agency continues to carry out inspections aimed at removing expired goods from the market.
“We conduct operations to confiscate expired products and enforce compliance with standards,” she said.
Ejalu warned that traders found selling such goods risk prosecution and possible imprisonment.
“Selling expired products is illegal and poses a serious threat to public health,” she stated.
She added that although UNBS cannot monitor every shop at all times, efforts are underway to strengthen local enforcement.
“We are training District Commercial Officers so they can support regular inspections at the local level,” Ejalu explained.