President Meets Sugarcane Farmers in Mayuge, Vows Support for Fair Pricing and Sector Reforms
Mayuge, Uganda – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has met with sugarcane farmers and millers at the Mayuge State Lodge to address growing concerns over cane price fluctuations and challenges facing the sugar industry.
During the meeting, farmers appealed to the government for financial relief, urging state intervention in the form of subsidies to reduce production costs and boost their earnings. The President pledged government support, assuring the farmers that efforts will be made to ensure they receive fair and stable prices for their produce.
A key issue raised was the prolonged delay in establishing a national sugar council—an essential body meant to regulate the sugar sector, mediate disputes, and represent the interests of both growers and millers. President Museveni expressed concern over the bureaucratic delays and issued a firm directive for the matter to be resolved by Monday, describing the council’s establishment as “crucial and long overdue.”
In his address, the President also advised farmers to shift towards larger-scale cultivation to maximize returns. He cautioned against smallholder practices, noting that cultivating sugarcane on just two acres is not financially viable. “You would struggle to even earn four million shillings from five acres,” he said. Citing the example of Nyakaana, a successful farmer from Fort Portal who earns significantly from just one acre through efficient management, Museveni urged farmers to rethink their approach and embrace better planning for increased profitability.
The engagement is part of the government’s broader effort to revamp the agricultural sector and ensure farmers benefit more from their labor, especially in key cash crops like sugarcane.
