MPs summon energy drink producers to explain safety and efficacy of their products

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Trade Committee of Parliament has summoned ten producers of energy drinks to explain misleading advertisements about the capacity of their products to arouse sexual enhancement.

The committee led by Mwine Mpaka was today interacting with officials from the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) about the reported number of substandard goods getting into the country.

In the meeting, several MPs said the different energy drinks producing companies were misleading people with adverts indicating that their products boost sexual stamina and correct erectile dysfunction. The committee listed 10 companies including the producers of Mukama Nayamba, Rock Boom, Kabiriti, Senga Nalongo, Akaboozi, Kituzi, Power Bank, Kabode, Bebe Wine, Kampaho, and Ekyama kya work.

Kabweri County MP Mugole Mauku David questioned if the content in the drinks is as advertised and whether they are harmful or not.

Mpaka asked the companies to come with a sample of their products and the adverts among others. The companies are supposed to interface with the MPs alongside UNBS and Uganda Communications Commission (UCC).

UNBS Executive Director David Livingstone Ebiru said that the problem with the companies is the misleading messaging, but he adds that UNBS intends to work with them to ensure that they meet the standards.

There are over 100 energy drinks in the market according to UNBS.

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