THE Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has urged schools to desist from imposing the purchase of identical face masks on parents as it is against the CCPC Act.

In a statement, Monday, CCPC senior public relations officer Namukolo Kasumpa stated that such practices eroded consumer welfare as they limited consumers’ choices.

“The CCPC would like to advise some schools in the country to desist from imposing the purchase of identical face masks on pupils at the school as the practice is unfair and goes against the Competition and Consumer Protection Act (CCPA) No. 24 of 2010. The Commission has noted with concern that such practices erode consumer welfare as they limit consumers’ choices and appears to tie students’ and pupils’ retention in these schools to the purchasing of the face masks,” Kasumpa stated.

Kasumpa added that schools should desist from using protection against COVID-19 as a fundraising venture.

“In view of the foregoing, the Commission would like to remind the schools that the use of face masks is meant for the protection of individuals against contracting the Coronavirus and should not be used as a money-making venture. Therefore, the Commission wishes to warn all the schools that such unfair trading practices are punishable by law and any school that shall be found guilty will be liable to pay the Commission a fine not exceeding 10 per cent of its annual turnover. Further, the Commission is calling on all schools to allow pupils to purchase affordable face masks from sources of their preference to avoid contravening with the law,” stated Kasumpa.