Anti-Counterfeit Network Africa in conjunction with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP), Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Interpol, Judicial Training Institute (JTI), Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), National Drug Authority (NDA), Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industries and Fisheries, Feed the Future/Inclusive Agriculture Markets launched the “Fight Against Fakes” Campaign and the anti-counterfeit whistleblowing platform called The Fakes desk in Mbale City.
The Fight Against Fake campaign was activated through a Song Competition with the sub-theme “FAKE is FAKE”. The Champion against Fakes intervention found it prudent to use Music and the arts as agents of behavioural change.
This sub-event was intended to ensure that farmers, brand owners, consumers, agro-input traders, and public and private sector thought Leaders are systematically rallied against fakes and galvanized around Intellectual Property Rights protection and promotion.
According to the Feed the Future/Inclusive Agriculture Markets Activity – ACN Africa 2022 study that was carried out in the Elgon sub-region of Uganda, 66% of the Respondents “agree that counterfeits will always be among us” pointing to normalcy and a sense of public resignation.
In fact, in all cases where suspected counterfeiters are raided, the common argument that the suspects and their sympathizers present is that “I am trying to fend for my family”; meaning that if crime serves a higher family interest, then it is justifiable. The artists’ & media campaign response is “What is criminal is criminal and cannot be righted by the nobility of a cause; -Fake is Fake!
Anti-Counterfeit Network Africa not only did they launch the “Fight Against Fakes” campaign but they also launched Fakes Desk which will be used by the people in the Elgon region to report counterfeits and counterfeiters.
