In August, Parliament directed the Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Amelia Kyambadde to table a list of certified energy drinks in the country following complaints from Legislators about the mushrooming energy drinks which they said might affect the health of Ugandans.
During Tuesday, August 20 plenary sitting, Kasambya County MP Gaffa Mbwatekamwa said that he is concerned that some of these energy drink manufacturers might be taking advantage of Ugandans as no one knows the content of their drinks.
He said it is hard to ascertain whether what they are drinking is safe or not and asked the Ministry of Trade to avail Ugandans with a list of certified energy drinks that are good for human consumption.
“The lives of Ugandans are being threatened by the so-called health energy drinks so many from different manufacturers who take advantage of Ugandans and they are selling these products whose contents we don’t know,” said Mbwatekamwa.
Now, Ms Kyambadde has provided a list of certified energy drinks brands being sold in Uganda.
The list of the nine certified energy drinks brands include among others; Power Play; made by Century Bottling Ltd, Riham Rock Boom and Riham X Energy; made by Harris International Ltd and Sting Gold Rush and Sting Red Rush, which are produced by Crown Beverages Ltd.
Others are; Kirungi Kazi Booster; made by Besi Uganda Ltd, Canaan Bulls Energy Drink; manufactured by Canaan Investments Company Limited, Thunder Caffeinated Carbonated Energy Drink, manufactured by Kiri Bottling Company Ltd and Yaket Energy drink which is made by Yaket International Limited.
However, a quick search on the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) website shows that the permit for Hariss International Ltd to manufacture Riham X Energy drink expired on 2 August 2019, while that for Yaket International Limited under which Yaket Energy Drink is manufactured, expired on July 26, 2019.
UNBS is yet to respond why the list on its website differs from the one Ms Kyambadde provided to Parliament.
Energy drinks are soft drinks containing high percentages of sugar, caffeine or another stimulant, typically consumed during or after a sporting activity or to overcome fatigue from other physical activities.
