Eronda
JF-Expert Member
- Dec 16, 2025
- 1,013
- 550
Ugandan Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has directed the immediate closure of all roadside sugarcane weighbridges, citing widespread theft and malpractice that cause significant losses to farmers and sugar mills, as detailed in a March 17, 2026, memo.
The order builds on a February 2025 ban that was only partially enforced in Masindi District, requiring relocation of operations to licensed factories under the Sugar Regulations 2025 to enhance transparency and curb middlemen exploitation.
Prime minister Robinah Nabbanja instructed the ministry of Trade, Industry and Coperatives to ensure that all community based weighbridges operating along the roads be closed and relocated to licensed sugar factories.
The minister noted that despite the directive coming out as early as February 7, 2025, enforcement has been confined and limited to Masindi District.
However Sugarcane farmers in Busoga have rejected a government directive ordering the removal of community weighbridges, warning that the move could disrupt livelihoods and destabilize the sugarcane value chain.
Farmers who gathered at Kagoma in Jinja District expressed frustration, questioning both the justification and timing of the directive.
Patrick Mudhugu, chairperson of the Busoga Sugarcane Alliance, challenged the claims and demanded transparency from security agencies
Farmers argue that removing the weighbridges will centralize control in the hands of millers, exposing them to risks such as delayed payments, long queues, and lack of transparency in weighing.
Source: Nile post.
The order builds on a February 2025 ban that was only partially enforced in Masindi District, requiring relocation of operations to licensed factories under the Sugar Regulations 2025 to enhance transparency and curb middlemen exploitation.
Prime minister Robinah Nabbanja instructed the ministry of Trade, Industry and Coperatives to ensure that all community based weighbridges operating along the roads be closed and relocated to licensed sugar factories.
The minister noted that despite the directive coming out as early as February 7, 2025, enforcement has been confined and limited to Masindi District.
However Sugarcane farmers in Busoga have rejected a government directive ordering the removal of community weighbridges, warning that the move could disrupt livelihoods and destabilize the sugarcane value chain.
Farmers who gathered at Kagoma in Jinja District expressed frustration, questioning both the justification and timing of the directive.
Patrick Mudhugu, chairperson of the Busoga Sugarcane Alliance, challenged the claims and demanded transparency from security agencies
Farmers argue that removing the weighbridges will centralize control in the hands of millers, exposing them to risks such as delayed payments, long queues, and lack of transparency in weighing.
Source: Nile post.
