Adulteration in popular beverages shocks people in Uganda

By Godfrey Olukya

KAMPALA, Uganda (AA) – People in the landlocked East African nation of Uganda are in shock after regulatory bodies established the presence of contamination and adulteration in popular beverages sold across the counter.

Following directions from the Parliament’s Committee on Trade, Tourism and Industry, two regulators which began investigations -- the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) and the National Drug Authority (NDA) -- found that some of the popular carbonated and non-carbonated drinks and locally fermented tea called kombucha were laced with alcohol and other drugs.

NDA Executive Director David Nahamya, who presented the findings, said four kombucha brands that were supposed to be non-alcoholic contained alcohol, in some cases as high as 10.3%.

In the case of alcoholic kombuchas like Kabody coffee, alcohol content was 20%, exceeding the permitted limit of 15%.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, lawmaker John Ochan said the manufacturers who had been adding concoctions to the drinks will be severely punished.

“We have instructed the police, National Drug Authority and Uganda's Bureau of Standards to ensure that such a practice is brought to an end,” he said.

According to officials, 23 products were also found to be contaminated with drugs, including Mukama Nayamba, Power play, Sabarara Extra, Akaboozi and Kabody coffee, known for treating erectile dysfunction.

Patricia Ejaru, deputy executive director of the NBS, said the manufacturers had never declared alcohol content in their products.

“We instructed the regulatory body to take punitive action. The parliament instructed the National Bureau of Standards to cancel the licenses for most of the companies that make adulterated energy drinks in the country,” said Mwine Mpaka, who led the joint team of researchers that investigated the adulteration at the direction of the parliamentary panel.

After these findings, lawmaker Gaffa Mbwatekamwa said he was exploring the option of suing responsible agencies for allowing companies to continue to produce products that are potentially harmful to the health of consumers.

Ejaru said the regulatory body has already swung into action and suspended the production of some of the adulterated products.

- Plea to cancel licenses

The parliament has instructed the NBS to cancel the licenses of companies engaged in producing contaminated and substandard drinks.

John Mukwasi, a businessman in Mbale, hailed the parliament for banning unhealthy drinks.

“It is good that parliament has banned all drinks that have been found not fit to be on the market. Such drinks are a threat to our health,” he said.

Primary schoolteacher Abbas Osili, 30, said after consuming an energy drink, he started sweating and was unable to walk properly.

“I am a Muslim who does not drink alcohol. I got drunk after consuming the energy drink. I staggered home and slept for over 10 hours,” he told Anadolu Agency.

One of the manufacturers told Anadolu Agency that they had been adding concoctions to energy drinks at the advice of their chemists.

“We apologize to Ugandans about our products which have been banned by authorities. It is our chemists who convinced us to make the drink. They told us that the contents were fine and are measured to international standards,” said Henry Musama, the manager of a company that used to produce the Kamanyi energy drink.