By Nanteza Ruth Walusimbi
JINJA
Sugarcane farmers in Busoga who gathered at Kagoma in Jinja District on Monday 30th March, 2026 expressed frustration, questioning both the justification and timing of the government directive, ordering the removal of community weighbridges, warning that the move could disrupt livelihoods and destabilize the sugarcane value chain.
The directive, issued by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, calls for the immediate closure of all roadside sugarcane weighbridges nationwide.
Government cites security concerns, linking some facilities to cane theft and inaccurate measurements.
In a March 17 letter, Nabbanja directed that all weighbridges be dismantled and relocated to licensed sugar factories in line with the Sugar Regulations, 2025. The decision follows police investigations that reportedly tied some weighbridges to widespread theft and financial losses among farmers and millers.
The Coordinator of Sugarcane Growers in Luuka, Fred Isabirye Biwero, says the ban will hurt local farmers who are already struggling with high costs.
Biwero explained that the weighbridges provide farmers with nearby markets, reduce transport costs, and ease congestion at factories and have also created jobs and boosted local government revenues in rural areas.
Patrick Mudhugu, chairperson of the Busoga Sugarcane Alliance, challenged the claims and demanded transparency from security agencies.
Twalik Isabirye, chairperson of CN Sugar out growers in Namayingo said that farmers would continue pushing for fairness in the industry.
They 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.
