UPROAR AS Jibu admits selling foul water in old, dirty bottles; faces closure

KAMPALA – Jibu Uganda is under intense public scrutiny after a video circulated on social media showing a customer receiving impure water from one of its 20L bottles.

A video posted on social media showed “green water” or algae in Jibu Uganda’s water, prompting public concern and discussion.

“It seems we have been taking poison. Our lives are at stake, Jibu please come out and clarify,” the customer cried out.

The incident has sparked widespread concern over water safety, hygiene, and the recycling practices of the company’s bottles.

In response, Jibu Corporate (UG) Ltd issued a formal statement acknowledging the incident and apologizing to its customers.

“Firstly, we would like to take ownership and apologize that this incident occurred,” the company said. They added that counter-measures have been implemented to “ensure enforcement of highest-quality standards and elimination of counterfeit products.”

Many consumers have voiced ongoing concerns. Social media comments and firsthand reports highlight issues such as dirty, over-recycled bottles, leaky bottles bottom and taps, and unusual tastes or odors.

One customer, Lubowa Wycliffe, questioned the safety of the tap design, noting: “Why is it that the white opening on the tap is not sealed? Isn’t it easy to just open and refill any water?”

Another, Ronald Ngobi, shared his concern over bottles at Oil Com Nansana near HollyFam, describing them as unhygienic and urging the company to inspect or retract suspect containers.

Several customers have raised issues with the recycled bottles used by Jibu. Wasswa Magumba said, “Most supermarkets have very old bottles that are dirty. Help us sensitize the distributors.” Similarly, Paul Kityo reported purchasing water that tasted soapy, even though the seal appeared intact.

Others expressed worries about chemical content. Daniel Kusemererwa advised that chlorination and fluoridation should be minimized, arguing that excessive halogens make the water unsafe. Some consumers noted mold growth in bottles, while others complained about the water tasting “hard” or “soapy.”

“Your bottles are unhygienic! Over-recycled and dirty!” wrote one frustrated customer. Another chimed in: “I found green mold in my bottle and had to go back to boiling water for drinking!”

Critics argue that Jibu’s public statement, while necessary, is not enough. “Water safety is a health issue—show results, recall suspect batches, publish investigation findings, involve UNBS, and crack down on counterfeiters,” one concerned consumer wrote.

The recurring theme among customers is the over-recycling of bottles, which makes it difficult to guarantee the cleanliness of the water. Many consumers fear that without stricter controls, unsafe water could continue circulating in the market, posing a serious public health risk.

With hundreds of complaints circulating online, the coming weeks will be critical in demonstrating whether the company can transform its promises into tangible action.

NOT THE FIRST TIME

Not long ago, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) was forced to close down Jibu water factory over poor hygiene.

In an operation headed by the KCCA former director of Public Health and Environment Dr Daniel Okello, all the four branches of Jibu water bottled products in Kampala were closed. The operation started at Jibu offices on Semawata road in Ntinda. They then proceeded to Jibu Bugoloobi on Luzira road, Namugongo on Mukasa road and lastly Jibu Kabuusu.

All the branches except that in Kabuusu had toilets inside the production room. At the Ntinda and Bugoloobi branches, the water from the tanks passed through the toilets into the production room and purification machines.

“What we found there was not meeting any acceptable standards, good manufacturing practices and the critical thing that we found out – was that the bottles that they were using  to pack the water were actually being washed manually and could not guarantee that they were actually clean. Secondly, the areas where the bottles and the tops were being used and rewashed were next to the toilet,” said Okello.

At all the facilities, Jibu pumped water from tanks stationed outside the production rooms into the water purification machines. Cleaning of bottles was done manually using water at the sink in the processing room.

Laundry detergents were used to scrub the bottles with brushes and sponges. The floors in the production rooms at all branches were wet while the sink where bottles are cleaned was dirty, dusty and rusty.

Dr Okello said that the factories were unhygienic and never met the standard manufacturing procedures, putting the consumers of the water at risk. Okello said the factory were to remain closed until it demonstrated ability to meet the required standards.

With hygiene concerns emerging again, it is not clear whether Jibu addressed these issues.

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