The current Sugar stock

In 2015 the total sugar production was 418,882 Metric Tonnes and the local consumption was 350,000 Metric Tonnes. The Sugar Manufacturers stated that there is no shortage of sugar, as they produce more because the recovery rate is higher during the dry season. The three big manufacturers alone; Kakira, Kinyara and SCOUL, have a current stock of 7,200 Metric Tonnes against our daily local consumption of between 1,000 – 1,200 Metric Tonnes. They assured the people of Uganda that they have enough sugar in stock to cater for the festive seasons.

The current ex-factory sugar price

The sugar manufactures explicitly stated that the current ex-factory price of sugar has remained at 3500/= per kg.  There is, therefore, absolutely no reason for the wholesalers and retailers to hike prices of sugar. The Ministry will be tabling the Sugar Bill in Parliament in Parliament by mid-January, 2017. The Bill will reinforce the implementation of the Sugar Policy to effectively regulate the sugar sector to eliminate malpractices in the sector to promote sustainable growth of the sector.

Fellow Ugandans and Consumers

I wish to reiterate that Uganda has enough sugar stock and there is adequate production in all our sugar factories.

I, therefore, wish to appeal to the wholesalers and retailers to desist from any speculative overpricing of sugar; which is inflicting an unnecessary inconvenience and pain on the consumers.

I take this opportunity to wish all our consumers, industrialists and traders a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.