The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has advised all schools to desist from forcing parents and guardians to buy uniforms from Schools.
The consumer watchdog says this is against the Competition and Consumer Protection Act (CCPA).
CCPC Public Relations Officer Namukolo Kasumpa says it is with sadness that the commission has continued to receive complaints from some members of the public on these unfair practices.
Ms Kasumpa has re-emphasised and reiterated the commission’s warning to such Schools who have taken the law upon themselves to engage in unfair trading practices that exploit the consumers that we are actively investigating such issues and we will follow them accordingly.
“It has also come to our attention that some schools have also continued to link school places to buying of the uniforms at the same school, a situation which is unfair and against the law as it limits consumer choices. This behavior by schools will not be condoned, and is equivalent to unfair trading practice. According to the Competition and Consumer Protection Act No. 24 of 2010, any institution or individual found guilty is liable to pay the CCPC a fine not exceeding ten percent of that person’s or enterprise’s annual turnover,” she charged.
She says the commission will not allow this situation to continue as it is likely to cause high prices of uniforms and reduce consumer choice and quality, while on the other hand it excludes other alternative sources that provide similar uniforms.
“The Commission is therefore calling on parents and guardians to report any school that will force or turn away pupils on account of not buying uniforms from the school. The Commission is aware that uniforms need to be of a particular standard and therefore all schools should provide a general standard of what type, shade, length and color of uniforms that are required,” she said.
“Parents and guardians who purchase uniforms from other sources that produce similar uniforms at competitive prices must ensure the uniforms purchased comply to the standard of uniforms as guided by the school.”
Ms Kasumpa requests the perpetrators to refrain from such vices immediately and it appeals to affected members of the public to report institutions of learning involved in this practice to CCPC as soon as possible.

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