David Bahati, the Minister of State for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives (Industry) has urged sugar processors to take advantage of the most important meed of value addition in industrial sugar production, to reduce imports used by local factories.
He made the remarks during the Inauguration of the new Sugar council set up by the Minister of Trade, industry, and Cooperatives.
The Sugar council was constituted Following the amendment of the Sugar Act.
The sugar industry now directly employs 20,000 Ugandans and over 150,000 indirectly, contributing UGX 500 billion in tax revenue
Uganda’s sugar industry now produces 700,000 metric tons annually, with 450,000 consumed locally and 250,000 exported.
Minister Bahati says the sugar industry contributes 5% to Uganda’s GDP – a significant milestone in our industrial growth journey.
Hon. David Bahati says the sector’s achievements align with government efforts to protect economic gains and advance the 10-fold growth program.
According to the Minister of trade industry and coperatives Francis Mwebesa ,
Among the eighteen functions of the Council ,they are tasked to Review applications for licensing and expansion of sugar mills, jaggery mills and plants to process by- products of sugarcane and to recommend to the Minister the grant or rejection of applications.
They are also required to prepare a sugar Industry Development Master Plan for consideration and adoption by the Government
They are expected to facilitate he implementation of an equitable mechanism for pricing of sugarcane and sharing of proceeds from disposal of by-products of sugar between farmers and millers,says Minister Mwebesa.