Effective January 1, the Masindi District security committee has enforced a ban on the transportation of sugarcane using light vehicles and motorcycles. This measure aims to address the increasing cases of sugarcane theft in the district.
The decision comes in response to the widespread theft of sugarcane, with criminals stealing from farmers’ fields and selling the stolen produce in kilograms to unauthorized middlemen. These middlemen, in turn, sell the sugarcane at inflated prices to various factories.
Mr. Emmy Ngabirano, the Masindi Resident District Commissioner, highlighted that the ease of transporting sugarcane in smaller vehicles has facilitated the rise in theft. The security committee aims to curb these illegal activities affecting local sugarcane farmers by enforcing the ban. Violators will face arrest, according to Mr. Ngabirano.
The security committee’s decision has been forwarded to the district council for consideration in the upcoming full council meeting scheduled for next week. Mr. Moses Kirya, the Masindi District speaker, emphasized that the resolution aims to protect the interests of sugarcane out-growers. The ban has received support from stakeholders in the sugar industry within the district.
Mr. James Musiime, a private sugarcane farmer, welcomed the ban, seeing it as a crucial step in curbing illicit practices and protecting the interests of local sugarcane farmers. The move is expected to safeguard the livelihoods of farmers by preventing unauthorized middlemen from cheating them.
