CLOSED SUGAR CANE WEIGH BRIDGES IN BUNYORO: LEADERS FAIL TO AGREE ON THEIR COME BACK

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By Andama moses
In Masindi
www.mknewslink.com——
Security in Masindi district and Bunyoro sugar cane union have failed to reach a conclusion on the relocation of weigh bridges that were uprooted by officials from ministry of trade industry and cooperatives.

The weigh bridges at Rukondua village in Bujeje county, Bikonzi subcounty and Kihande in Masindi Municipality managed by the union were shut down on February 13,th 2026 by officials from ministry of trade industry and cooperatives alongside police.

Government authorities said, road side weigh bridges have been fueling rampant sugarcane theft by providing ready market for stolen cane.

During the meeting held in Kampala over the matter, minister for trade, General Wilson Mbadi directed the weigh bridges be relocated away from active cane trading zones to reduce opportunities for theft and illegal transactions.

Mbadi noted that new locations be identified through a consultative process involving all stakeholders led by Masindi RDC Darius Nandida .

Acting on the ministers directive, RDC Nandida convened a meeting on yesterday between Masindi sugarcane growers association (MASGAL) , Bunyoro sugar cane cooperative union, sugar millers and security agencies held at Kabalega resort Masindi to come up with new location and strategies of relocating weigh bridges.

Briefing the media after a close door meeting, RDC Nandinda revealed that the matter was not concluded since Bunyoro sugar cane cooperative union wanted the weigh bridges temporarily re-instated where they were before as the parties continue discussing about the matter.

However Nandinda says this could not be done as the minister’s directive must be made before installing the weigh bridges.

The RDC revealed that a follow up meeting will be held on Thursday between the millers and security to come up with final resolution that will be sent to the minister for advise on way forward about the matter.

He revealed that it was resolved in the mini time, the farmers be selling the cane directly to the millers as they wait for the relocation of the weigh bridges.

On his side, Haji Muhamud Kazimbiraine chairman Bunyoro sugacnae cooperative union noted that relocating weigh bridges is a length process calling for re-installing them where they were as they look for the permanent location to allow farmers who he says are stranded with cane to sell