Farmers refute allegations of weighbridges fuelling sugarcane theft in Masindi

Masindi: Sugarcane farmers in Masindi District, under their umbrella body Bunyoro Sugarcane Farmers’ Cooperative Union, have strongly refuted allegations that their weighbridges are facilitating sugarcane theft in the district.

This follows claims circulating on social media accusing weighbridges of contributing to the growing sugarcane theft in Masindi District.

In an exclusive interview on Monday, Haji Muhamoud Kazimbiraine, the chairman of Bunyoro Sugarcane Farmers’ Cooperative Union, dismissed the allegations, stating that the role of weighbridges is solely to ensure transparency in the weighing process for independent farmers before they sell their cane to various millers.

“Our responsibility is not to protect sugarcane from being stolen but to weigh farmers’ cane before it is sold to millers,” Kazimbiraine clarified.

He explained that the union established weighbridges to address concerns of farmers who previously claimed they were being cheated by some millers.

“This prompted us to acquire weighbridges to help our members witness the weighing of their cane before selling it. Unlike Kinyara Sugar Company, where farmers cannot witness the weighing due to the large number of vehicles at its factory-based weighbridge, our system ensures transparency,” he said.

Kazimbiraine further noted that, despite the allegations circulating online, no formal legal action has been taken against the union, nor have they been summoned by any relevant authorities regarding the accusations.

He urged complainants to arrest and prosecute suspected sugarcane thieves rather than blaming the weighbridges for theft.

Kazimbiraine also accused Kinyara Sugar Ltd of attempting to monopolize the sugarcane business in the region.

“Kinyara Sugar Ltd believes that all sugarcane grown in Masindi should be sold exclusively to them, yet they offer the lowest price compared to other millers,” he alleged.

He encouraged farmers to sell their sugarcane to millers offering competitive prices rather than being restricted to Kinyara Sugar Ltd.

“We reject Kinyara’s claims that our union steals their cane. These allegations are meant to stifle competition and force farmers to sell only to them,” he said.

Kazimbiraine revealed that the union purchases sugarcane at Shs135,000 per ton and pays farmers in cash, while Kinyara Sugar Ltd buys at Shs116,000 per ton and delays payments.

He also criticized the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives for shutting down the very weighbridges it had licensed, without providing justifiable reasons.

Mr. Francis Mugerwa, the Public Relations Officer at Kinyara Sugar Ltd, acknowledged that sugarcane theft has become a widespread issue in Masindi.

“Several farmers have complained to us and various government agencies about losing millions of shillings due to sugarcane theft. The stolen cane is often sold at weighbridges,” Mugerwa said.

He urged the government and stakeholders in the sugar industry to work together to curb sugarcane theft, which he said is causing financial losses to both farmers and the government.

Kinyara Sugar Ltd has so far recorded over 450 cases of sugarcane theft, with reports filed with local leaders, police, and courts of law.

“Let all stakeholders in the sugar industry unite to end this vice so that everyone along the sugarcane value chain can benefit,” he emphasized.

Despite the controversy, Kazimbiraine disclosed that the Bunyoro Sugarcane Farmers’ Cooperative Union is expanding its weighbridge network to further support farmers.

“Currently, we have two weighbridges in Kihande II Cell and Rukondwa Village, and we are in the process of establishing another one in Kikuube District. Our goal is to set up more weighbridges to help farmers maximize their profits,” he stated.

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