They are hard to differentiate from genuine/original products. Counterfeit products come in big numbers. They can be foodstuffs, medicines, clothes, and electronics or even automobiles.

A counterfeit product is any product bearing an unauthorised representation of a manufacturer’s trademark or trade name. There are many products which have been counterfeited.

Some of these include prescription and over-the-counter drugs, clothing, credit cards, watches, extension cords, pacemakers, cell-phone batteries that could explode and machine and automobile replacement parts.

Counterfeit products are often of sub-standard quality. This makes them potential safety risks which may cause not only personal injury but economic losses as well. The counterfeit products are estimated to cost legitimate businesses up to USD250 billion in yearly sales.

These products are usually associated with incorrect, smeared or blurred product packaging, incorrect spelling or altering of brand name, no warranty or guarantee given at the purchase of the product, "unbelievably” low prices.

Others are priced close to retail price to fool the unsuspecting buyer. Some counterfeit products are often advertised online, especially with prices that are too good to be true.

Phoney goods are often sold where people meet in person especially in open markets, salons, college campuses and in private homes.

The dealers often display their products and would often convince you to purchase the product because it is ‘cheaper’ compared to supermarket or retail prices.

All the same, it’s rare for these goods to be sold in well-known walk-in stores, supermarkets or shops. The question is if the public is aware of the difference between counterfeit to original products.

Though, they may look genuine and worthy of good use, counterfeit products can threaten your safety. Whether it’s adulterated medicine that can kill you, bogus batteries that can burn you, phoney products are a common thing in all parts of the world.

This often puts the original industries of the products which have been counterfeited at risk of massive losses. In case the trend of counterfeiting the products is not curbed or minimized, the original manufacturer or assembler of the products might even close shop due to heavy losses and a discredited name.

It’s not a crime to buy fake goods, but counterfeiting and piracy of intellectual property are crimes. The Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni recently proposed hanging of individuals who manufacture or import these goods.

This was during the opening of Africa matters’ workshop. He said such people endanger lives of millions of people and also create revenue loss to the government.

Many Customs and Border Protection officers and import specialists often target and seize counterfeit products whenever they carry out inspections.

Companies targeted or victimized by counterfeit products are always ready eager to tell investigators what flaws to look for when inspecting imports.

However, there are the few ones who are willing to talk on the record. They fear that any mention of their company’s name in the same breath as "counterfeit” will harm the brand’s image.

East African countries have not been spared the counterfeit trend. Many counterfeit products have come to our markets. However, because they seem cheap, many seem not to mind as long as they get what might seem like the original.

We should however watch out for them in order not to put our health to risk but also in order not to discourage our manufacturers. I guess the onus is mainly on the EAC governments but also the populations should go for quality.

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