By Eye Media Uganda | Namayingo | October 3, 2026

Leaders and sugarcane farmers in Namayingo District have demanded that the Government clears CN Sugar Factory to begin operations.

On Friday, October 2, 2026, hundreds of residents met members of the Sugar Council at the factory premises in Namayingo Town Council. The officials were assessing whether the company had fulfilled the requirements for an operational licence.

The construction of CN Sugar Factory was commissioned on August 9, 2024, by Vice President Rtd. Maj. Jessica Alupo. She was represented by the Third Deputy Prime Minister, Hajjat Rukia Isanga Nakadama.

The project raised hopes of a nearby market for sugarcane, employment opportunities and increased economic activity. However, the factory has remained closed because of licensing and regulatory concerns.

Several farmers said they had invested millions of shillings in sugarcane growing after the investor arrived in Namayingo. They are now transporting mature cane to distant factories at a high cost.

Ms. Aidha Kigada said she planted sugarcane in 2022 when the factory’s construction began, expecting to supply her produce locally.

“I planted sugarcane in 2022, and it is now mature. But supplying factories far away from Namayingo attracts high transport costs, leaving me with only about Shs20,000 in profit,” Ms. Kigada said.

She said farmers invested their savings and land believing the factory would provide a reliable market and reduce transportation expenses.

Mr. Aramanthan Mukose, the Imanyiro Sub-county LC3 chairperson in neighbouring Mayuge District, said he acquired about 80 acres of land in Namayingo after learning that a sugar factory was being established.

Mr. Mukose said the investment had instead become a financial burden because the factory he expected to supply had not been allowed to operate.

He appealed to the Government and the Sugar Council to resolve the licensing issues, saying continued delays were hurting farmers who had invested heavily in cane production.

Another farmer, Mr. Siraji Dhikusooka, said his approximately 100-acre sugarcane plantation in Banda Sub-county was also suffering because of the cost of transporting cane to factories in Bugiri and Mayuge districts.

“Taking sugarcane to a factory here in Namayingo would save us about Shs500,000 in transport costs per tonne,” Mr. Dhikusooka said.

He urged the Sugar Council not to end its visit with inspection and verification but to recommend the factory for licensing and operation.

Namayingo District Chairperson Mr. Ronald Sanya said residents had waited long enough to benefit from the investment.

“I am really tired of these delays. My people need to start reaping from this sugar factory to boost their household incomes,” Mr. Sanya said.

He said commercial sugarcane growing had previously not been widely embraced in Namayingo. However, the arrival of CN Sugar encouraged residents to grow the crop in anticipation of a nearby market.

Mr. Sanya argued that allowing the factory to operate would provide a ready market, create employment and stimulate economic development in the district.

The demands come after Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja met stakeholders in September and directed the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives to address the factory’s licensing issues.

Sugar Council member Mr. Robert Atugonza said CN Sugar had previously failed to secure clearance because of outstanding requirements. These included concerns over whether the company had sufficient land to guarantee its own sugarcane supply.

“We are here again this Friday and Saturday to verify whether land has been acquired in Mayuge and neighbouring Busia District,” Mr. Atugonza said.

“We shall then write a report to our chairman, who will forward it to the Ministry of Trade.”

Mr. Atugonza said the Sugar Council had previously visited Namayingo twice and prepared reports. However, objections from neighbouring sugar factories had contributed to delays in granting the operational licence.

The latest inspection has renewed hope among leaders and farmers that the regulatory process will finally clear CN Sugar Factory to commence production.

Farmers say opening the factory would secure a nearby market for thousands of tonnes of mature sugarcane, reduce transport costs, create employment and turn their investments into household income.