Farmers vow to storm parliament during debate on Sugar Bill
Sugarcane outgrowers in Busoga have vowed to storm Parliament tomorrow as MPs debate the Sugar Bill.
In a meeting held in Mayuge district on Monday, the disgruntled farmers warned their area Members of Parliament not to absent themselves since this bill too crucial to the economic development of Busoga sub region.
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The farmers say at the inception of this bill, their MPs consulted them and they agreed position on some of the clauses including the one (Clause 22) on zoning which President Museveni included in this law.
The initial law had done away with this clause but Museveni refused to assent to it and returned it to the House.
The farmers say zoning encourages monopoly and hence manipulation of farmers when it comes to price negotiations.
Isa Budhugo the chairperson Busoga Sugarcane Outgrowers Association said the MPs should listen to their grievances and oppose the controversial clause.
Clause 22 of the new Sugar Bill entails a new sugar Miller to be within a radius of more than 20Km away from another miller which the farmers argue promotes monopoly in the industry since it does not apply to other cash crops as well.
