Cabinet has approved the Sugar Bill that seeks to provide a regulatory framework for the sub-sector.
The Bill spells out clear conditions for registration and licensing of sugar producers, and intends to ensure greater quality and high production standards.
While presenting the Bill before Cabinet, Trade Minister Amelia Kyambadde said if passed into law, the new Bill will solve the outstanding problems that are facing the sugar industry.
The proposed National Sugar Act 2015 is to replace the outdated Sugar Control Act of 1938 and its effectiveness has been overtaken by events in the existing set up of the sugar sub sector.
The new law provides for the establishment of the Uganda Sugar Board that will monitor, oversee and coordinate all activities relating to, and ensure a fair, efficient and effective administration and operation of the sugar industry.
The Board is to advise on new procedures and requirements for setting up and expanding existing sugar production facilities. The Sugar Board will have representatives from government ministries, the sugar millers and out-growers, and the chairperson will be selected from the private sector.
The Sugar Board will be responsible for licensing the sugar mills and jaggery mills, facilitate the export of sugar produced in Uganda, arbitrate disputes between parties in the Sugar industry, review on a regular basis the problems and prospects of the industry, monitor the production, importation and consumption of sugar and its by-products with a view to ensuring a viable industry among other functions.
It will also be a responsibility of the Sugar Board to collaborate with relevant bodies and ensure that all sugar produced locally and imported into Uganda complies to the relevant quality, safety, environmental and health standards.
Story By Benjamin Jumbe
