Sugarcane farmers in Mayuge cry foul over exploitation

There was a stampede at the gate of Mayuge Sugar factory on Sunday when sugarcane farmers protested what they termed as exploitation by the firm.

The disgruntled farmers accused some employees at this factory of soliciting for bribes of up to Shs 200,000 in exchange for a two weeks permit to transact business with Mayuge Sugar Ltd.

After hours of standoff, the police led by the DPC Mayuge, Rogers Kapere swung into action to calm down the farmers.

The farmers led by their chairperson Mukama Ndotte first held a meeting near the factory where they expressed the challenges they meet in doing business with Mayuge Sugar Ltd.

They said they were not satisfied with the way management has handled the issuance of permits which allows one to do business with the factory.

They then agreed to storm the factory to air their grievances to the management.

After meeting resistance from the security guards at the gate, the disgruntled farmers went up in arms.

Their continuous protest paralysed business at the factory which prompted the police to intervene.

Their leaders leaders then held a closed door meeting with the management which was attended by Kapere who communicated their resolution to the farmers.