Minister Barugahara attracts mixed reactions on X after decrying low cane prices in Busoga
The minister expressed concern that the price reduction was occurring just 30 days before Uganda’s general elections, questioning the timing and possible motive behind the move
KAMPALA, December 18, 2025 — The State Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, has attracted mixed reactions on social media platform X [formally Twitter], after expressing concern over the low prices of sugarcane in Kaliro district and the wider Busoga Sub-region.
Barugahara raised the issue on Wednesday while responding to a notice issued by Kaliro Sugar to farmers, which he shared on X. The notice informed farmers that the company would be purchasing a tonne of sugarcane at Shs 110,000.
The minister expressed concern that the price reduction was occurring just 30 days before Uganda’s general elections, questioning the timing and possible motive behind the move.
Bringing this matter to the attention of President Yoweri Museveni, Barugahara commended other sugar companies across the country for maintaining stable sugarcane prices despite the sensitive political period.
The minister post on X reads as: “The decision by some sugar factories to slash the price of sugarcane to as low as UGX 110,000 per tonne just 30 days before the election in Busoga raises serious concerns and must be thoroughly investigated. If the motive behind this price reduction is genuine, then the cost of sugar, which is the final product, should also be reduced accordingly. Targeting farmers alone is unacceptable. I call upon the sugar council and other relevant government agencies to intervene and protect our farmers our fathers as well as final consumers from exploitation. I would also like to commend Kinyara Sugar Works, Kiryandongo Sugar, Victoria Sugar, Hoima Sugar, Bugiri Sugar and Lugazi (Mehta) Sugar for maintaining stable cane prices during this sensitive election period. Yet to find out from the biggest Kakira Sugar works ltd.”
Some of the responses from Ugandans on X
Duncan Abigaba @DuncanAbigaba 16h
Hon. Minister, this is a very serious matter that you should raise in cabinet, not on social media. You have a platform unlike many of us.
Anto @tiga_tigha17h
but even long before the election period, we have been crying for the G.O.U to solve this sugarcane price fluctuation program and set a standard price. something that has been ignored. we were left at the mercy of these indians. the farmers cannot even establish their own mills!
Nuwa Nicholas@NuwaNicholas32m
“…just 30 days before the election…” Does this mean it’s okay if it was not an electioneering season? SMH
MZEE KAMBA BHAMUSANGALA@KAMBAMICHAEL116h
Let your government buy at the price of your wish and process than attacking the private sector that 8s victimized by your government.
Immunized Muzukulu @pride_shots12h
So your major concern is reducing the price towards elections (which might reduce your votes), does this mean if they had reduced them when there are no elections due you would be ok with it?
Andrew Bagala@andrewbagala13h
Haha!
eric | MUTYABA@mutyaba0112h
If you’re protesting the fall of sugarcane prices then better open up a sugar processing company and buy the sugarcanes expensively or jhs stop buying sugar at your home then the companies will suffer with the stock due to inadequate market supply.
The African Child@The_african_CLD14h
I’ve seen this happen before, and it’s heartbreaking. My father was a sugarcane grower, and we once had to burn over eight acres of cane due to sudden price drops after heavy investment. Targeting farmers alone while keeping sugar prices high is unfair. I hope the Sugar Council and relevant authorities intervene to protect farmers and consumers alike. Kudos to those factories maintaining stable prices during this sensitive period. Barugahara Balaam Ateenyi.@BalaamBarugahar13h [I agree]
Edson Bwomeezi@bwomeeziedson2h
Thank you @BalaamBarugahar, I think this should be the best tweet this year! If we really want Ugandan farmers to get money at the end of every season, we need to protect them from these abrupt price cuttings by cartels in the market! Same raw material input prices and after the output, prices are cut leaving farmers operating in total losses. Traders and Govt need to see how to ensure there are fair pays for all this You can’t entirely blame traders as they equally be having their challenges some times
SSEKADDE SAMUEL.@ssekaddesamuel218h ProtectingTheGains!
Joel | Graphics @joelthegraphics16h
Imagine this is a factory Price. How much would the famer get.
Ugandan 256@Kibselectoz117h
Mwe musibye bana Uganda mu mbeera embi. Nze, i left NRM for those reasons
Banana@AaronBanana_17h
What do you mean before elections, you mean it’s okay after elections. It shows what yall plan for Ugandans. Does your party ever follow its manifesto?
Elly Lukwago@EllyLukwag5264811h
Don’t politicise this issue. Leave it to the relevant bodies. They have been doing it so many times and you coming out to question the act this time only is what makes anything in that regard look suspect.
Kyagulanyi Kabanda@omwavuatteguya17h
Before you make noise go and read the sugar cane act that was passed by parliament which has majority NRM Mps and assented to by NRM chairman, prices are determined by sugar millers, farmers are not allowed to sell sugar cane beyond 3km, the problem is the sugar cane Act
magomu alexas@alexasmagomu418h
It means during an election the government pretends to be doing gud then after citizens go back solutions must be permanent
Ralph@NyatoRaphael5h
This is the price of sugarcane per tonne in the neighborhood
Georgeo@LawOpio4540413h
The minister has to be “reminded” about issues around trade liberalization which unfortunately was forced upon us by IMF and World Bank policies starting in the 1980’s. Each market player sets prices based on their bargaining power. Unfortunately, the Wanainchi suffer from it
Uhuru swahili@swahiliunguja18h
Imagine, who created the sugar council,should we also hav Tobbacco, Sweet potatoes, Maize, cassava, coffee,carrot etc councils im told we have children’s authority, we hav a hand washing council,sports council etc what are they for apart from eating from the tax payers money
Ugandan@mumbahya118h
Don’t come on social media to rant, u had more than enough time to go to Luziira prison to persuade political prisoners to apologize to the president in exchange of freedom, u can as well walk to the responsible agencies to communicate your grievances about sugar prices. Thank u
COUNSEL KIKUKU BUKUTI BOZELE@InnocentKikuku15h
First investigate if there has been an increase in the cost of production. They are many factors considered. Your a serious business man you know. This
BK@briankyeyune201h
Also, relating the price reduction to the election period is selfish. This means that if it hadn’t been done during this period, you would have left it for
@SpireJim& @HEBobiwineto tweet.
The Class Leader@TheClassMonitor19h
A full minister doesn’t know that the sugar council he is talking about is headed by an Indian. I wonder how many councils in India are headed by Ugandans. So he thinks an Indian will protect Ugandans interests.
Sugar sector in Busoga
The sugar sector in Busoga is a major economic driver, home to numerous large mills like Kakira and Mayuge, but faces issues like farmer poverty, wetland encroachment, and price exploitation by millers, leading to government intervention efforts, including plans to buy Mayuge Sugar Factory for farmers, establish a Sugarcane Council [already done] for better governance, and address low cane prices and deductions for leaves.
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