KAMPALA.
The government has directed the removal of all roadside sugarcane weighbridges across Uganda, citing widespread malpractice and significant financial losses in the sugarcane value chain.
In a directive dated March 17, 2026, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja instructed the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives to ensure that all community-based weighbridges operating along roadsides are closed and relocated to licensed sugar factories.
“The decision follows numerous complaints from stakeholders within the sugar industry, who have raised concerns that roadside weighbridges are being exploited to facilitate the theft of sugarcane,” part of the letter reads.
According to the directive, this malpractice has caused “massive losses” for both farmers and sugar manufacturers.
Nabbanja noted that the Ministry had previously issued a February 7, 2025 directive banning roadside weighbridges for sugarcane. However, enforcement has been limited, largely confined to Masindi District.
The latest move also follows police investigations, initiated under instructions from the Minister of Internal Affairs and directed to the Inspector General of Police, which reportedly uncovered systemic abuse of roadside weighbridges, reinforcing the need for stricter government intervention.
Under the new directive, all sugarcane weighing activities will be centralized at licensed factories. Authorities argue that this will enhance transparency, improve accountability in the weighing process, and protect farmers from exploitation by middlemen.
The directive aligns with the Sugar Regulations, 2025, which outline structured handling and trading of sugarcane in Uganda’s sugar industry. By relocating weighbridges to factory premises, the government aims to streamline operations and curb illegal practices that have undermined the sector.
While the decision may spark mixed reactions—especially among smallholder farmers who relied on nearby weighbridges to reduce transport costs—the government maintains that long-term benefits, including fraud reduction and industry stabilization, outweigh short-term inconveniences.
Officials from the Ministry of Trade are expected to soon outline an implementation framework, including timelines for removal and enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance nationwide.
