President Museveni has directed urgent action to resolve longstanding issues affecting Uganda’s sugarcane sector, vowing to ensure that farmers get fair prices and that a long-delayed Sugar Council is operational by Monday.
Speaking after a high-level engagement with sugarcane farmers and millers at Mayuge State Lodge, Museveni acknowledged the price instability affecting growers and expressed government’s commitment to subsidising costs and increasing profitability for farmers.
“We will work to ensure that farmers receive fair prices,” he said. “The sugarcane growers expressed their need for government support to subsidize their costs and maximize their profits.”
At the heart of the discussions was the pending formation of a Sugar Council—a key body expected to mediate, regulate, and represent stakeholders in the sugar sector. The President said he was displeased with the bureaucracy holding up its formation.
“I was also informed about the unnecessary delays in establishing a sugar council, which is crucial for mediation, regulation, and representation. This issue must be resolved by Monday without fail,” Museveni said.
He also advised farmers to rethink their scale of production, warning that small-scale cultivation is not financially sustainable in today’s market.
“Farming sugarcane on just 2 acres is not profitable enough; one would struggle to earn even 4 million shillings from 5 acres,” he explained. “In contrast, farmers like Nyakaana in Fort Portal are earning millions from well-managed farming on just one acre.”
He urged farmers to make informed decisions and adopt more efficient, large-scale practices.
“Let us make the right calculations; otherwise, we may miss out on profitable opportunities,” the President added.
Uganda’s sugar industry, an important employer and export earner has for years faced tensions between millers and growers, especially over pricing, transport costs, and delayed payments.
Stakeholders have repeatedly called for a formal regulatory council to streamline operations and protect both producers and processors.
