Local leaders and sugar industry players in Masindi are backing a proposal to relocate roadside weighbridges from core sugarcane growing zones following a marked reduction in theft.
The move follows a February 13 directive by the Ministry of Trade and Industry ordering the shutdown of roadside weighbridges across the district amid complaints that they had become outlets for stolen sugarcane.
During a stakeholders’ meeting at Kabalega Resort chaired by Resident District Commissioner Darius Nandinda, participants noted that weighbridges located within operational cane areas unintentionally fueled illegal trade.
Masindi Municipal Mayor Ronald Kyomuhendo said the closures disrupted the market for stolen cane.
“Since the closure of the roadside weighbridges, cases of sugarcane theft have significantly reduced because thieves no longer have an easy market,” he said.
District Chairperson Cosmas Byaruhanga attributed irregularities to dealers operating weighbridges without proper farmer registers or factory oversight.
“The middlemen and dealers at weighbridges reduce the money which the farmer is supposed to receive," he said. "If factories knew their farmers, they wouldn’t need middlemen to buy sugarcane.”
He proposed relocating weighbridges outside the production belt, particularly along the Kampala highway beyond River Kafu, to reduce theft while maintaining market access for non-contracted farmers.
Millers supported the relocation plan. Kinyara Sugar Ltd spokesperson Francis Mugerwa said: “We welcome a relocation of roadside weighbridges outside the sugarcane operation area to minimize thefts.”
Victoria Sugar Ltd called for dialogue between millers for a long-term solution.
However, leaders from the Bunyoro Sugarcane Farmers Cooperative Union urged that weighbridges be reopened under tighter supervision, including a regulatory committee.
RDC Nandinda confirmed that the closure remains in force while the District Security Committee continues consultations with industry players.
A report will be submitted to the Trade Minister and the President to guide the final decision. Authorities appear inclined toward relocation as a long-term measure to curb theft and stabilize farmer incomes.
About two weeks ago, government shut down multiple roadside weighbridges in Masindi 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.
Authorities say the weighbridges had become central to illegal sugarcane trading, costing farmers and processors billions of shillings.
The sugar industry contributes 5–7% to the GDP, generates between Shs350 billion and Shs550 billion in annual taxes, and supports over 135,000 jobs, making enforcement against theft a priority for both economic stability and farmer protection.
