Museveni now says Sugar Bill should be shelved
President Museveni has called for the suspension of the debate on the controversial Sugar Bill until further notice.
Museveni made the suggestion during a meeting with NRM MPs at his office.
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According to sources who attended the meeting, Museveni directed the minister of Trade, Amelia Kyambadde to withdraw the bill from the floor until more consultations are made.
Last year, Museveni refused to assent to the bill citing some controversial clauses that needed to be removed.
Particularly, Museveni is not happy with the proposal to relax the zoning rule which would make it easier for sugar millers to set up business next to each other.
Big sugar companies led by Kakira and Kinyara petitioned the president against the proposal saying it would put them out of business.
Museveni said he had no personal interest in the bill.
"I am only working for God and my country and government," he said.
He promised to traverse the regions where sugarcane growing is practised to talk to the farmers.
Earlier in the day, legislators hailing from both Busoga and Bunyoro sub regions, sugarcane growing areas, had threatened to go tribal if the caucus had decided to pass bill in its current shape.
