Atugonza elected to represent Bunyoro, Tooro cane farmers on Uganda Sugar Industry Stakeholders Council
“For us to succeed and see meaningful change, we must stay united and committed. Only then can we improve the livelihoods of our sugarcane farming communities,” Atugonza said.
Hoima: Robert Atugonza, Chairperson of Masindi Sugarcane Outgrowers Association Limited (MASGAL), has been elected to represent sugarcane farmers from Bunyoro and Tooro sub-regions on the Uganda Sugar Industry Stakeholders Council.
This development follows a meeting held on Tuesday at Hoima Kolping Hotel, where sugarcane farmer associations from both sub-regions convened to nominate their delegate in response to a call from the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives.
The ministry asked each region engaged in sugarcane farming across the country to select a representative for the newly constituted council which was created by the newly passed Sugar Act as amended.
The meeting brought together representatives from Masindi Sugarcane Outgrowers Association, Hoima Sugar, Hoima Cane Growers, Bwendero Sugar, and Kyenjojo Sugar.
During the session, the farmers unanimously agreed to form a regional umbrella body named the Bunyoro-Tooro Sugarcane Farmers Association (BUTOS) to unify efforts and better advocate for their interests.
In addition to electing Atugonza to the national board, BUTOS formed an executive committee comprising of Patrick Byamukama as the chairman, Batinire Barwane Musa vice chairman, Ernest Shukura its secretary, Treasurer is George Kugonza, Publicity Aston Kajara and members are Max Francis Isingoma aka Max omuto, Phinehas Kyotasobora, Adaku Godfrey, Mary Mujumura and Tereza Kabasinguzi.
Moses Barwana, Secretary General of Kyenjojo Outgrowers Association, criticized the lack of transparency in loan recovery and pricing policies at Kyenjojo Sugar Factory. He pointed out that price adjustments are often made without proper communication to farmers.
Barwana also raised concerns over the transport and processing delays, noting that harvested cane can take up to 14 days to be processed far longer than the industry standard of 36 hours which significantly reduces cane quality and farmer income.
Similarly, Max Francis Isingoma, Chairperson of Hoima Cane Growers Association, highlighted the low payment rates farmers are receiving, especially from Kyenjojo Sugar, where farmers are paid as little as UGX 90,000 per ton.
Speaking at the event, BUTOS Chairman Patrick Byamukama said the creation of the umbrella body is a strategic move to address the longstanding challenges affecting sugarcane farmers.
“We believe that through unity, we can negotiate better prices, fairer working conditions, and ensure our voices are heard in national decision-making,” he said.
Newly elected representative Robert Atugonza called on all farmers to embrace collective responsibility and remain actively involved in BUTOS initiatives.
“For us to succeed and see meaningful change, we must stay united and committed. Only then can we improve the livelihoods of our sugarcane farming communities,” Atugonza said.
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