By Hannah Marion Namukasa
Furious sugarcane farmers in Namayingo District have confronted members of the Sugar Council, demanding an explanation for the prolonged delay in granting CN Sugar Company a licence despite a presidential directive to expedite the process.
The farmers gathered at the stalled factory site in Kifuyo Village, where they accused the Sugar Council of corruption and alleged that its officials repeatedly visit CN Sugar under the guise of helping the investor, only to solicit money from the company.
Construction at the site has come to a complete halt, with machinery abandoned and the grounds increasingly being overtaken by bush after work began and was later stopped.
Some of Sugar cane growers attending the meeting
The farmers accused the Sugar Council of defying a directive issued through Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja to expedite the licensing of CN Sugar, whose project has remained stalled for three years.
Before meeting the farmers, Sugar Council members held a closed-door session lasting about four hours. Journalists were barred from attending the meeting.
Robert Atugonza, who represented the Sugar Council chairperson and his team plus Namyingo LCV Ronald Sanya leaving the ground for inspecting the land
Those present included officials from CN Sugar, Bugiri Sugar and Kakira Sugar, the District Police Commander, the Officer in Charge of Police, Namayingo District Chairperson Ronald Sanya and his council, farmers’ leaders, and a Ministry of Trade and Industry team led by Kiiza David, who represented the Minister.
The meeting was chaired by Robert Atugonza, who represented the Sugar Council chairperson.
When the officials emerged from the meeting, farmers, including Deo Disiko and Idah Kigada, described the hardships they face, particularly the low prices offered for their cane by middlemen and the losses they incur as a result.
The LC1 chairperson of Sango A Village in Kifuyo Parish, Buyinja Sub-county, became emotional as he accused leaders of abandoning the NRM principle of “prosperity for all.”
He said the community could not achieve meaningful development while the factory remained idle, citing expected benefits such as increased employment opportunities and higher local revenue if the factory becomes operational.
Chairpersons of several sub-counties in neighbouring Mayuge District, including Bumairo, also told the meeting that they had invested their own money in sugarcane production, only to find the company they depended on still inactive.
They said they have been forced to transport their cane over long distances to other mills, reducing the benefits from their investments.
Namayingo District Chairperson Ronald Sanya issued a stern warning, saying that if the Sugar Council continues to withhold the licence from CN Sugar, the district could pass a resolution banning sugarcane growing in the area.
He said such a move would force any company seeking sugarcane to source it elsewhere.
Sanya also cautioned other sugar mills currently buying cane from Namayingo against working against CN Sugar.
Responding to the farmers, Atugonza said the council’s visit was intended to further examine what is required for CN Sugar to commence operations.
He said a report would be prepared and submitted in accordance with the law.
Atugonza explained that the delay had been caused by objections raised by other sugar companies, particularly those concerning land issues. He appealed to farmers not to abandon sugarcane growing.
After the meeting, officials began a tour of CN Sugar’s land holdings, starting with approximately 3,000 acres in Nawampogo Village, Bukabu Parish, Bukaboli Sub-county in Mayuge District.
However, journalists were ordered to leave shortly after the tour began. Officials said their presence was not required and that they could hear confidential information that might compromise the report.
The CN Sugar project has now remained stalled for three years despite the presidential directive for the Sugar Council to move swiftly to issue the company with a licence.
