Overview:
The inauguration ceremony, held on October 23 at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, follows the enactment of the Sugar (Amendment) Act No. 6 of 2025, which legally establishes the council as a corporate body empowered to oversee and guide the industry’s growth.
Uganda has officially launched its first Sugar Industry Stakeholder Council, a major step toward strengthening governance, boosting productivity, and improving regulation within the country’s sugar sector.
The inauguration ceremony, held on October 23 at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, follows the enactment of the Sugar (Amendment) Act No. 6 of 2025, which legally establishes the council as a corporate body empowered to oversee and guide the industry’s growth.
Francis Mwebesa, Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, said the council will play a central role in shaping the future of Uganda’s sugar industry. It consists of 11 members—a chairperson, four representatives of sugarcane out-growers, three millers, and officials from the Ministries of Finance, Agriculture, and Industry. Its core responsibilities include licensing and expansion oversight, developing a national sugar industry master plan, ensuring fair pricing, optimizing markets, resolving disputes, and promoting innovation and new technologies.
The Cabinet approved the appointments of the council members on October 6, 2025, for a two-year term. Mwebesa announced that the Ministry will hold an induction within two weeks to align the council’s work with national development priorities and improve sector governance.
David Bahati, Minister of State for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives (Industry), underscored the sugar industry’s economic importance, noting an annual output of 700,000 metric tons—with 450,000 tons consumed locally and 250,000 tons exported. The sector directly employs about 20,000 people, supports another 150,000 indirectly, generates roughly Shs500 billion in tax revenue, and contributes 5% to Uganda’s GDP.
Government officials emphasized the need to fast-track stalled projects, review licenses, and promote fair competition while curbing monopolistic practices. Bahati added that the council’s regulations have been presented to Parliament, and the Ministry will report quarterly to Cabinet on progress in fostering growth, protecting economic gains, and advancing the government’s industrialization goals.
The launch of the council represents a significant milestone in Uganda’s industrial journey—positioning the sugar sector to scale up production, enhance value addition, and strengthen its presence in both domestic and export markets.