The government has shut down multiple roadside weighbridges in Masindi district, Bunyoro region, following a joint investigation by police and officials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs that exposed organized theft rings exploiting the sites to sell stolen sugarcane.
“We took action in compliance with a ministerial directive issued last year. All weighbridges that were facilitating theft have now been removed,” said Trade Commissioner David Kiiza on Friday.
Investigators revealed that thieves targeted mature cane in estates and outgrower fields, often under cover of night, transporting it to roadside weighbridges where tickets were issued, allowing the stolen cane to enter the formal market undetected.
The scale of the problem emerged after police recovered 24 tonnes of sugarcane stolen from Kinyara Sugar Ltd’s Kingo No. 6 field.
The cane had been loaded onto contractor truck UBA 886R/KCV-456 but never reached the factory.
“Our team discovered the truck had not delivered the cane. Security intervened, but the driver fled. We arrested two loaders who led us to the weighbridge,” said Kinyara Public Relations Officer Francis Mugerwa.
Police confirmed the recovered cane matched the missing consignment.
“The case is under police investigations and efforts are underway to ensure that the prime suspect is arrested and prosecuted,” said ASP Joseph Karwani, Masindi District CID officer.
Authorities say the weighbridges had become central to illegal sugarcane trading, costing farmers and processors billions of shillings.
The move is part of broader government efforts to restore order in the sector and protect farmers from organized theft networks.
Uganda’s sugar industry contributes 5–7% of GDP, generates Shs350–550 billion in annual taxes, and supports over 135,000 jobs, making enforcement against theft a priority for both economic stability and farmer protection.