KAPEKA, NAKASEKE — Goodwill Ceramic Company Limited has dismissed what it describes as false and defamatory claims circulating on social media, reaffirming its commitment to regulatory compliance, local manufacturing and job creation in Uganda.
Speaking during a press conference at the company’s factory in Kapeka Town, Nakaseke District, the company’s Administration Manager, David Mawajje, said the information circulating online was misleading and intended to damage the reputation of the local manufacturer.
Goodwill Ceramic, located in the Liao-Shen Industrial Park, was registered in 2017 and started production in 2018. According to the company, its launch was presided over by President Yoweri Museveni as part of Uganda’s drive to promote industrialisation and local manufacturing.
Mawajje said the company was established with a focus on reducing Uganda’s dependence on imported tiles, retaining foreign exchange within the country and promoting products made locally.
He said more than 90 per cent of the company’s raw materials are sourced within Uganda, contributing to the development of local suppliers and strengthening the domestic industrial value chain.
“Goodwill is a 100 per cent Uganda-registered, Uganda-manufacturing and Uganda-taxpaying local brand,” Mawajje said, stressing that the company is not an agent of any foreign brand.
The company says it currently directly employs more than 1,300 Ugandans, while supporting an additional 2,000 indirect jobs in areas including production, quality control, sales and administration.
Mawajje added that the company also has a Chinese technical team that provides technical support and trains Ugandan workers in specialised production skills.
According to the company, its products are sold across Uganda and are also exported to neighbouring markets, including South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Goodwill rejects certification claims
A major focus of the press conference was Goodwill’s response to claims questioning the certification and compliance of its products.
The company maintained that all its products have official certification from the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) and meet the applicable requirements relating to quality, safety and environmental standards.
Mawajje described claims suggesting that Goodwill has problems with UNBS certification as false and said the company is prepared to undergo official inspections and verification of its operations.
He further disputed social media claims suggesting that UNBS or the Ministry of Health had declared Goodwill products non-compliant.
According to the company, the claims are part of what it described as a malicious campaign aimed at damaging its reputation and creating fear among customers and business partners.
Goodwill said the allegations should not be treated as a product-quality dispute, arguing instead that they amount to unfair competition and misinformation.
Company reports matter to police
The company said it has reported the matter to police and that investigations are underway to establish the source of the information circulating online.
Mawajje said Goodwill wants those responsible for creating and distributing the alleged false information identified and held accountable through the law.
He particularly criticised the alleged use of the names of government institutions in spreading information that the company says is false.
According to Goodwill, such claims can not only damage a private company but can also undermine public confidence in regulatory institutions.
The company said it will cooperate with investigators and pursue available legal avenues against individuals found responsible for the alleged misinformation.
Focus remains on local industry
Despite the controversy, Goodwill said it remains committed to manufacturing, employee welfare, production safety and corporate social responsibility.
The company said its operations demonstrate the potential of Uganda’s manufacturing sector to create employment, develop technical skills, support local suppliers and reduce dependence on imported products.
Mawajje said Goodwill’s continued investment in local production is in line with Uganda’s wider industrialisation agenda.
He appealed to government agencies, customers, business partners and the media to rely on verified information when assessing the company and its products.
The company also urged the public to reject unverified claims circulating on social media, saying that misinformation can have wider consequences for local businesses, employment and investor confidence.
Goodwill said it will continue investing in its operations and supporting the growth of Uganda’s manufacturing sector while maintaining what it described as its commitment to quality, safety and regulatory compliance.
