The government of Uganda responds to sugar millers’ petition over new entrants in industry

Deputy Attorney General Jackson Kafuuzi has responded to a petition by the Uganda Sugar Manufacturers Association to bar the licensing of new millers. Kafuuzi who was appearing before the Committee on Tourism, Trade and Industry on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, said the trade ministry is better placed to respond to the legality of the new licences. He was also responding to the issues in the Sugar Act, 2020. The Act establishes a Sugar Board but it will not be implemented following the rationalising of government agencies. The Sugar Board was expected to regulate the sugar industry through licensing of millers. When asked by the legislators on the way forward, Kafuuzi said: “It is only the line ministry that takes charge and that is why I get the concern that perhaps we should be here together with the Ministry of Trade. We would have answered these questions better together”. Kafuuzi, however, said the law will now be amended to introduce a Sugar Council, adding that licensing will ...