Uganda’s standards regulator named five uncertified gin brands following operations in Nakulabye and Kiwunya, but it has not released laboratory findings or announced any arrests.
UGANDA – The Uganda National Bureau of Standards has seized 17,770 litres of alcohol it described as illicit during market-surveillance operations at several premises in Kampala.
The regulator said the operations in Nakulabye and Kiwunya followed consumer complaints concerning suspected substandard alcoholic products. Officers also seized approximately 8,500 litres of unlabelled neutral spirit stored in drums and about 600 bottles of uncertified gin.
UNBS announced the operation on 28 September 2026. Its notice did not specify when individual premises were inspected.
Seizures across several Kampala premises
The largest quantity was reported at Happy Emmanuels Stores, where UNBS said its officers seized 9,120 litres of illicit alcohol and 4,500 litres of neutral spirit stored in 18 drums.
At Fred Asiimwe’s Store, officers reportedly found 2,320 litres of illicit alcohol and approximately 4,000 litres of unlabelled neutral spirit in 16 drums.
UNBS reported further seizures of:
- 3,500 litres at Harriets Shop;
- 1,570 litres at Lillies Quality Suppliers;
- 1,060 litres at Musoke Adolf Shop; and
- 200 litres at Nakulabye Super Waragi and Spirit.
The regulator also seized 216 bottles of uncertified gin from Brenda Beverages and Logistics Shop in Nakulabye and 350 bottles from Mwanguhya Shop in Kiwunya. Each bottle contained 200 millilitres.
UNBS identified the affected gin brands as Timing, Soccer or Socar, Kyakabi, Revo and Cheza. The spelling of the second brand differs between available accounts and should be confirmed against the product label before publication of any accompanying photograph or graphic.
Certification and labelling requirements
UNBS said the operation was conducted under the UNBS Act, the UNBS Market Surveillance Regulations 2022, and national standards governing potable spirits and product labelling.
The regulator specifically cited US EAS 109:2018, Potable Spirits Specification, which sets requirements and methods of sampling and testing for potable spirits. The UNBS standards catalogue classifies it as a compulsory standard.
UNBS also cited US 1028:2013, Labelling Requirements for Pre-packaged Products, which covers information including product identity, the responsible business and net quantity.
These requirements are important for traceability as well as consumer information. Missing certification and labels can make it difficult for regulators and consumers to determine who produced a drink, its stated alcohol content, its ingredients or whether it passed the required conformity-assessment process.
UNBS advised consumers to check that alcoholic drinks are properly labelled and certified before purchasing them and to report suspected non-compliant products.