JINJA. Sugarcane farmers in Busoga Sub-region are divided over the composition of the newly inaugurated Uganda Sugar Industry Stakeholders Council.
The Sugarcane (Amendment) Bill, 2023, passed on April 15, 2025, establishes a Sugar Industry Stakeholders Council for self-regulation.
President Museveni signed the Bill into law on May 30, 2025 after consultations on contentious issues.
The 10-member council comprises four representatives from sugarcane-growing areas, three from sugar millers, and three from relevant government ministries (Finance, Agriculture, and Trade).
The council is headed by Mr Rajbir Singh Rai as its Chairperson. The out grower representatives include Mr Robert Atugonza, Ms. Elizabeth Mbeiza, Ms. Santa Joyce Laker, and Mr Isa Budhugo.
The miller representatives are Mr. Mayur Muljibhai Madhvani, Mr. Milan Dobaria Vithalbhai, and Mr. Ashish Monpara. Government representatives include Dr. Swidiq Mugerwa from Agriculture, Mr. Ramathan Ggoobi from Finance Ministry, and Ms. Lynette B. Bagonza from Trade Ministry, where serves as Secretary.
Cabinet approved the appointment of the council’s 10 members on October 6, 2025, with an official tenure of two years.
On October 23, the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives officially inaugurated the council to strengthen governance, enhance productivity, and regulate Uganda’s sugar sector.
The council’s mandate includes licensing and expansion oversight, developing a sugar industry master plan, promoting fair pricing mechanisms, market optimization, dispute resolution, and adopting innovative technologies.
However, a section of farmers from Busoga sub region have opposed the council’s composition.
Mr David Christopher Mwombe, chairperson of Busoga Sugarcane Growers Association (BSGA), said they were very happy with the existence of the regulatory body because it was the only sector which was not regulated ,but unsatisfied with its composition.
“Some representatives on the sugar council are not genuine. They are not representing any farmer in Busoga. A single mother can’t discuss issues affecting women in marriage when she’s divorced herself,’’ Mr Mombwe said.
Mr Mombwe singled out Mr Atugonza , the Chairperson of Masindi Sugarcane Out growers Association Limited as the only genuine representative of the farmers on the Sugar Council.
He alleged that the Busoga representatives’ election was marred by irregularities, with participants from outside Busoga allegedly influencing the outcome, rendering the process unfair.
“Most of the voters who participated in the election of representatives from Busoga were not genuine voters because they were picked from districts of Kayunga, Mukono and Atiak. How can farmers from different areas vote for Busoga?” he asked.
According to him, Mr Budhugo was declared winner as representative for Busoga because they considered majority votes, yet most were not genuine votes.
“Since the farmers’ representatives aren’t genuine farmers, we’re underrepresented on the council, struggling to advocate for farmers’ interest,’’ he said.
On September, 25 the First Deputy Prime Minister, Ms Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga intervened in the issue of who represents Busoga on the Council to ensure fair representation but farmers failed to agree.
The farmers representatives were picked from four major sugarcane growing areas including North, Busoga, Buganda and Bunyoro sub region.
“Those who lost the election should not put pressure on others. In elections, there are losers and winners. There was no way the farmers could elect Mr Mombwe, who led Kakira Sugarcane Out-growers, when Mr Mayur (Managing Director Kakira Sugar Ltd) was also elected to the Council. They are the ones who betrayed me first – that’s politics. If you fail, accept the defeat,” said Mr Budhugo, the chairperson of the National Sugarcane Growers Association.
While speaking to sugarcane farmers in Jinja over the weekend , Mr Kirunda Faruk, the deputy presidential press secretary, said he is planning to discuss the issue with President Museveni, who is currently in the Sub-region on his campaign trail.
“I’m aware of the issue and plan to discuss it with President Museveni to address concerns. I’ll arrange a meeting with the farmers’ chairperson and council representatives to find solutions,” he said.
Mr. Kirunda revealed that there’s a plan to make changes in the council if the current one has some loopholes.
“The council was established to solve farmers’ problems, and if it’s not serving its purpose, we’ll reassess and make necessary changes,” he said.
In Buganda, the situation is the same; a section of farmers wanted Mr. Julius Katerevu, Chairman of Greater Mukono Sugarcane Growers Cooperative Society Ltd, but Ms. Elizabeth Mbeiza, the Human Resource Officer attached to Victoria Sugar Factory Limited, was elected to represent farmers.
“It’s true that I work with Victoria Sugar but I am also a sugarcane farmer, which qualifies me to serve on the sugar council,’’ she said.