Published on 13/11/2025
Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has conducted a targeted market surveillance operation at Jumbo Arcade in downtown Kampala, aimed at enforcing compliance with national standards for cosmetics and personal care products.
During the two-day inspection exercise, UNBS rid the market of 2,087.8 kilograms of substandard and dangerous cosmetics, containing a banned ingredient, hydroquinone, from 21 out of the 25 shops inspected following prior intelligence.
Research indicates that long-term use of Hydroquinone poses significant health risks including skin damage and increased cancer risk, which prompted UNBS to prohibit its use in cosmetic products under Uganda’s compulsory standards to ensure consumer protection.
For full list of banned cosmetics containing Hydroquinone, visit UNBS website (www.unbs.go.ug) or Annex 1 below.
The suspects are to be arraigned before the Standards and Utilities court and will be dealt with according to the law.
Section 3 (1)(f) of the UNBS Act, mandates UNBS to enforce standards in protection of the public against harmful and substandard products, Section 22 (1) of the same Act prohibits use of the UNBS Distinctive Mark without certification, while Section 23 (1) prohibits the importation, manufacture, or sale of products that do not meet compulsory Uganda standards.
Consumers are urged to purchase only certified cosmetic products bearing the UNBS Quality (Q) Mark and to report suspicious or unlabelled products to UNBS using toll-free line 0800 133 133 / 233 233 or UNBS WhatsApp line 0713227580 .
UNBS remains committed to protecting the health and safety of consumers through continuous market surveillance, enforcement of compulsory standards, and public awareness campaigns.
