A weekend raid in Luweero District has exposed yet another link in Uganda’s dangerous trade in counterfeit cement.
The growing black market in fake construction materials is now threatening lives, investments, and the integrity of national infrastructure.
Police in Luweero stormed a hardware store in Kasana Market and a nearby home in Kalongo zone, seizing bags of cement fraudulently labeled as Tororo, Hima, and Fundi Cement.
Inside, they found branded empty sacks and unidentified powder suspected to be used in the fakes.
Two suspects were arrested, and samples have been sent for forensic testing, according to ASP Sam Twiineamazima, the Savannah Region Police spokesperson.
But this isn’t an isolated incident. Just days earlier in Tororo, authorities intercepted a truck carrying over 200 bags of fake cement near Akapa trading centre.
The cargo, mimicking top Ugandan brands, was likely en route to unsuspecting builders and hardware stores.
These arrests spotlight a wider, increasingly sophisticated racket exploiting porous borders and weak enforcement.
With Kenyan cement priced significantly lower than in Uganda, smugglers bring it in illegally, stretch it with low-quality fillers, and repackage it under trusted brand names.
A 50kg bag of cement sells for about KShs800 (Shs19,200) in Kenya. In Uganda, it fetches up to Shs33,000. The profit margins are irresistible—and deadly.
The consequences are grave. Substandard cement can cause buildings to crack, collapse, or fail altogether. Foundations, bridges, schools, hospitals, and roads constructed with fake materials risk turning into death traps.
Legitimate manufacturers like Hima and Tororo Cement face shrinking market share and reputational damage. The government loses revenue, and developers face lawsuits or costly rebuilds. Most of all, the public loses trust.
So far, enforcement has been reactive, relying on tip-offs rather than routine inspections. If Uganda is serious about protecting its future, it must act decisively.
That means tightening border controls, implementing digital product verification, and launching public awareness campaigns. Offenders should face steep penalties that reflect the severity of their crimes.
Uganda’s rapid urban growth and infrastructure boom should not rest on unstable foundations. Every fake bag of cement is a gamble with lives, livelihoods, and the country’s ambitions.
It’s time to crack down—before our buildings do it for us.
