UGANDA – The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has issued 166 companies with licenses to manufacture facemasks and sanitizers in the wake of the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic

“I want to remind Ugandans that as they are rushing to the market to purchase facemasks and sanitizers, they should look out for companies that are making products, which we have endorsed. These will not compromise their health,” Sylvia Kirabo, head of public relations and marketing at UNBS.

Of these, 57 are certified to manufacture non-medical face masks. These include Jude Color Solutions Limited, Silk Events Limited, Uganda Industrial Research Institute and Biogenics Limited.

The remaining 109 companies will produce sanitizers and disinfectants. These include Saraya Manufacturing (U) Limited, Mukwano Industries Uganda Limited, Mbarara University of Science and Technology and Jago Enterprises.

Ms. Sylvia Kirabo, the head of public relations and marketing at UNBS, said that this was in order to ensure that there are quality and safe products on the market.

I want to remind Ugandans that as they are rushing to the market to purchase facemasks and sanitizers, they should look out for companies that are making products, which we have endorsed. These will not compromise their health,” Ms. Kirabo said.

We looked through their respective manufacturing processes and confirmed they met the requirements. I can guarantee their products are safe for use,” she added.

Ms Kirabo said the agency is ready to help more individuals and organizations interested in manufacturing sanitizers, disinfectants and facemasks.

If someone is interested in producing these products but does not know how to go about the process, we can send our technical people to help out so that in the end, we can have only quality products on the market,” she said.

Substandard products have continued to flood the market in the second Covid-19 induced lockdown, with some individuals taking advantage of the situation to make quick money from unsuspecting people.

Uganda has so far reported 84,544 cases, 1,995 fatalities and 57,147 recoveries.