This archive report was first published on 29 June 2019.
On June 29, 2019, Uganda blocked a request to export excess sugar cane from outgrowers in Busoga region to Kenya.
Farmers in the region claim to have an overproduction of 500,000 tonnes of sugar cane, which processors are unable to absorb.
However, Minister for Trade, Industry and Co-operatives Amelia Kyambadde disputed this narrative, stating that the surplus is only temporary and should not cause alarm.
Ms. Kyambadde attributed the shortage of cane to sugar factories in Uganda producing below capacity since 2010 due to a shortage of cane.
She claimed that opening up the market to neighboring countries like Kenya would worsen this problem.
Despite this, outgrowers in the eastern region have requested permission to export 54,000 tonnes of sugarcane to Kenya over a trial period of three months.
Issa Budhoga, the chairperson of Busoga Sugar Cane Growers Association, stated that farmers have improved their agronomic practices, resulting in increased productivity and a surplus of sugar cane.
Heavy rains have also contributed to the maturation of sugar cane faster than usual, further exacerbating the surplus.
The dispute between Uganda and Kenya over sugar trade has been ongoing, with Kenya accusing Uganda of importing sugar from Brazil and India and attempting to sell it to Kenya.
