A New Dawn for Sugarcane Farmers!! President Museveni Signs Transformative Law

Ugandan sugarcane farmers have gained new hope after President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni signed the Sugar (Amendment) Bill, 2025, into law. The signing ceremony brought together sugarcane outgrowers and millers from the Busoga, Bunyoro, Buganda, and Acholi regions to discuss improvements in the sugar industry. For many farmers, this law marks a turning point after years of feeling sidelined in the distribution of industry profits.

One of the most significant changes introduced by the new law is that sugarcane growers will now receive 50% of the revenue earned by millers from sugar sales. This share will increase to 55% within two years. The move ensures that farmers benefit more fairly from the sugar they produce, boosting their incomes and improving their standard of living.

Another welcome change is the elimination of the 5% “trash charge,” a fee that was previously deducted from each tonne of sugarcane delivered. Farmers had long complained about this charge, calling it unfair. Its removal is seen as a big win and a sign that their concerns have finally been addressed.

Getting to this point was not easy. The new law is the result of lengthy negotiations between outgrowers and millers. Both sides had to make compromises, but their willingness to work together helped shape a policy that supports everyone involved in the sugar value chain. The cooperation shown reflects a growing spirit of unity and progress in Uganda’s agricultural sector.

The signing of the Sugar (Amendment) Bill, 2025, marks a new beginning for the country’s sugar industry. With fairer revenue sharing, improved policies, and a commitment to inclusive growth, Uganda’s sugarcane farmers now have stronger reasons to believe in a more profitable and secure future.