Sugarcane growers take government to court over export ban

Sugarcane farmers under their umbrella body Uganda Sugarcane Out Growers Association have petitioned the Constitutional court challenging the government’s decision to block them from exporting their canes to Kenya.

Through their lawyer Francis Muganga, the farmers argue that government's decision is unconstitutional and therefore want the Constitutional Court to bring it to order.

They say the decision has not only left them stranded with loaded trucks at the main mills but also left them in total losses.

The petition comes just after few days after the speaker of parliament Rebecca Kadaga together with other legislators expressed reservations about the sugarcane export ban in a meeting with Amelia Kyambadde, the minister of Trade and Cooperatives.

There have been reports of arrest of some sugar cane farmers who have tried to export their sugarcanes to Kenya.

Currently the prices of sugarcane have dropped to Shs 100,000 per tonne from Shs 160,000 two months ago.

As we the farmers wait for their fate in the constitutional court, the prices of sugarcane per each tone continue to drop standing at 100,000 shillings from the 160,000 two month ago.