Sugarcane farmers in Masindi district are demanding the immediate enforcement of a district council resolution passed in March last year, which called for the suspension of weighbridge operations.
The resolution, adopted during a council session chaired by district speaker Moses Kiirya, also banned the transportation of sugarcane using motorcycles and tuk-tuks — methods the council argued were facilitating theft.
“We are demanding the implementation of the council resolution,” the farmers stated in a petition dated May 12 addressed to resident district commissioner Darius Nandinda.
Despite the resolution, farmers say weighbridges continue to operate, enabling cane theft and unregulated sales.
They allege that middlemen and brokers are harvesting cane — often at night — from farmers’ gardens and selling it through weighbridges.
“They operate as open markets where anyone with cane, regardless of whether they are legitimate farmers, can sell,” the petition reads.
“My office has received a petition from farmers raising several concerns about sugarcane weighbridges. We will engage stakeholders and investigate the matter. Our report will guide the next course of action,” Nandinda said.
This loophole, farmers argue, has created a market for stolen sugarcane, some of which has reportedly been traced back to plantations belonging to contracted farmers of Kinyara Sugar Limited.
Kinyara operates under a contract farming model, purchasing cane only from farmers who are officially registered and contracted by the company.
This system ensures traceability, confirming that all cane entering the factory is lawfully sourced.
“Even farmers who grow sugarcane independently cannot sell to Kinyara without first entering into a formal agreement,” the petition states.
The farmers contend that when cane farming, harvesting, and transportation are properly documented, theft is greatly reduced.
Currently, cane trucks reportedly operate with minimal oversight, making it difficult to determine whether the sugarcane being transported is legitimate.
The farmers recommend that all vehicles transporting cane be clearly labelled to identify the sugar company involved.
Other concerns
The petition also raises concerns about deductions at the weighbridges.
Farmers report that a 5% levy — referred to as “trash” — and an additional handling fee collected by cooperatives managing the weighbridges are routinely deducted from their earnings.
“These deductions reduce farmers’ the income, give the cost of production,” the petition states, calling for the Government to establish clear regulations to prevent exploitation by brokers and middlemen.
Documentation
Farmers are also advocating for the full documentation of all sugarcane sales and related transactions to improve accountability and serve as a reference for compliance monitoring by both farmers and government agencies.
Masindi district secretary for production, Geoffrey Bigabwa Kiiza, acknowledged the growing dissatisfaction with weighbridge operations.
Kiiza also noted that the district has contracted entities to collect sugarcane loading fees, with Kyatiri town council collecting sh1.5m per month and Kimengo sub-county collecting sh500,000.
On April 15, Parliament passed the Sugarcane (Amendment) Bill, which seeks to introduce self-regulation in the industry through a National Sugar Council.
The law provides for a sugarcane pricing formula, guidelines for licensing sugar companies and mechanisms for dispute resolution.
LEAD PHOTO CAPTION: Trucks loaded with sugarcane ready to be transported to factory for sale.
