Agricultural Counterfeit Dealer Netted and Arrested-Ministry of Agriculture
Reporter Kizindo Lule
Kampala-Uganda
The Ministry of Agriculture alongside Agricultural Police and the Anti-Counterfeit Network Africa (ACN)
have apprehended a man allegedly involved in selling Counterfeit Agricultural Inputs.
The Operation that led to the arrest of Robert Sseruma was triggered by a tip-off from ACN staff having bought some products from him which were tested and confirmed fake.
The raid was carried out today, August 15, 2025, at Sseruma’s Shop named St. Jude Farm Supply in Container Village, Downtown Kampala.
When officials arrived unexpectedly, Seruma in his late 50s attempted to flee but was quickly pursued and apprehended.
During the search, it was discovered that Sseruma had been repackaging Counterfeit Agricultural Inputs in Containers that closely resembled genuine products, including similar labels and Packaging.
Available information indicate that Seruuma has been primarily dealing in commonly used Inputs such as “Weed Master,” a herbicide used in control of sturubbon Weeds.
It was aslo found out that instead of the original Chemicals,like Weed Master,Sseruma has been filling the Containers with Liquid Soap before Sealing and branding them.
While speaking to The Urban Gazette reporter,Charles Ssendaza, an Agricultural Inspector from the Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Crop Inspection and Certification, confirmed his arrest and said many of the products found in the shop were counterfeit and further noted that,this was the third time Sseruma is being arrested for the same offenses and emphasized that the Ministry will ensure Sseruma faces legal action.
Authorities also revealed that Sseruma is suspected of working behind a curtail of wrong dealers yet to be identified.
Ssendaza,the Official from the Agriculture Ministry underlined the Ministry’s commitment to protecting Farmers by enforcing Quality Standards of Agricultural Inputs.
“This suspect has been faking Products and branding them like those manufactured by reputable Companies. After consulting the companies, they confirmed that many of the products found here are not theirs,” he added.
He said the impounded products, including Seeds and Chemicals among others are valued approximately at Uganda shillings 50 million.
Trevor Sophatia Igumba of the Anti-Counterfeit Network Africa explained how the investigation began, after a report was filed through their reporting app about a shop selling Fake Agro-Inputs.
Upon receiving information,the Ministry, swung into action to arrest the suspect.
“We want to warn the public to be vigilant,as many Counterfeit Products are circulating in the market.We are cautioning you to always buy from authorized and licensed shops,” he noted.
He informed the public that the Ministry introduced “BLEEP,” a new reporting App where the Public can report suspected Counterfeit Products of various Categories.
This App is available on Google Play Store, Apple Store and via Web accessible at www.bleep.ug.
