Sugarcane farmers in Kagadi District have raised alarm over the continued lack of a reliable market for their produce, saying the situation is pushing many into financial distress and threatening household livelihoods.
The growers are now appealing to the National Sugar Council to expedite verification and licensing processes for investor Amon Kakama, who has expressed interest in establishing a sugar factory in the Greater Kibaale region.
Farmers, led by their chairperson Milton Kasaija Lugese, say the crisis has been worsened by existing sugar factory operators whom they accuse of refusing to purchase their cane and frustrating efforts to introduce a new investor into the area.
They claim that some industry players are deliberately blocking the licensing of the proposed Kagadi Sugar Factory, despite growing production in the region.
“We are suffering because we have no one to buy our cane,” farmers said, adding that many had invested heavily using loans that are now accumulating interest due to lack of sales.
Several farmers say they are facing possible loss of property after failing to service loans, while others report being unable to meet basic household needs, including school fees for their children.
They also accuse some factories of issuing harvesting instructions and later failing to purchase the cane, leaving farmers with losses as harvested cane dries up in the fields.
Kagadi District Chairperson Ndibwami B. Yosia said officials from the National Sugar Council recently carried out a verification exercise as part of the licensing process for the proposed factory.
However, he noted that the process faced delays after existing factory representatives claimed ownership over sugarcane in the region.
He said establishing a local sugar factory would provide a stable market for farmers, reduce transport costs, and improve household incomes across the district.
Investor Amon Kakama has urged farmers to remain patient and cooperative, reaffirming his commitment to establish the factory once he secures the required licence.
“I am ready to set up the factory immediately once the licence is granted,” he said.
Isa Budhugo, who led the National Sugar Council delegation, acknowledged the challenges facing farmers and noted concerns raised about market access and industry dynamics.
He said the purpose of the visit was to verify the number and status of sugarcane farmers in the area, adding that the exercise had been successfully completed as part of the ongoing licensing process.