Masindi councillors, mayor disagree over ban on cane trucks in centre of town
MASINDI, September 3, 2026 — Masindi Municipal councillors have opposed a directive by Mayor Rogers Amanyire banning trucks loaded with sugarcane from passing through the central business district [CBD] of the town.
Amanyire issued the directive in July, ordering sugarcane transporters to divert their trucks from the town centre and use alternative routes in an effort to improve sanitation.
Speaking to journalists at his office in May, Amanyire said the municipality had experienced rampant spillage of bagasse and sugarcane peels from trucks transporting cane through the town.
He said the continuous littering of the town with cane waste had blocked drainage channels, damaged roads and posed public health risks.
Amanyire added that the practice violated the Public Health Act, the Physical Planning Act, 2010, and the Municipal Solid Waste Management By-laws.
The directive also prohibited the sale and loading of sugarcane along streets, pavements and road reserves within the central business area, except at designated locations.
It further prohibited the dumping of sugarcane waste and bagasse on streets, in drainage channels and in open spaces.
Sugarcane transporters were instructed to use alternative routes, including the Kamurasi–Ihungu–Hoima Road; Kyema–Kiswata–Kihuba–Kibwona–Biiso Road; and Kyema–Kamdiini–Kigulya–Mirya–Kampala Road.
Amanyire had given transporters a 14-day grace period, from July 13 to 26, to comply with the directive before enforcement began.
The mayor said a council resolution had been passed by the previous municipal council but had only been assented to on Wednesday, August 26, 2026.
However, during a council meeting last Thursday, councillors opposed the directive, arguing that an attempt to ban the trucks in that manner would be illegal.
The motion seeking the council’s approval of the ban on trucks loaded with sugarcane was tabled by the Leader of Government Business, Aisha Nakamya, as an action point before the council, which was chaired by Speaker Betty Kyomuhendo.
Isingoma Tegras, the councillor representing the elderly, described the mayor’s directive as illegal, arguing that proper council procedures had not been followed.
He warned that failure to follow the required procedures could expose the council to potential financial losses.
Katuku Abdul Aziizi, councillor for Southern Ward, questioned whether the mayor had consulted relevant stakeholders before issuing the directive. He argued that the council should have fully considered and approved the ban before it was issued.
He also raised concerns about the risk of accidents, particularly involving children, on the proposed alternative routes, which he said were narrow and in poor condition.
Nyangoma Fatuma, chairperson of the Finance Committee, said the mayor had not provided sufficient information on the steps taken before issuing the directive.
In response, Speaker Kyomuhendo ruled that the directive could not be implemented, declaring it illegal.
She directed the formulation of a by-law to guide the proposed ban on trucks loaded with sugarcane passing through the town centre.
However, Amanyire insists that the directive remains in force, saying some drivers working for sugar companies have already started complying with it.
Following the mayor’s directive, management of Kinyara Sugar Limited, one of Uganda’s leading sugar producers, wrote to the mayor expressing its willingness to comply, subject to the resolution of some technical issues.
The company asked the mayor to ensure that the alternative routes are wide enough to accommodate heavy trucks and that the roads are in good enough condition to allow safe and reliable transport.
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