By Our Reporter
Masindi District has in recent weeks been gripped by heightened tension following the dramatic dismantling of sugarcane outgrowers’ weighbridges, a development that sparked outrage among farmers and reignited a long-simmering “sugar war” between outgrowers and millers. 
However, a ray of hope has emerged after Hon. Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs and a proud son of the soil, formally stepped in to push for an urgent and structured resolution of the crisis.
Background To The Sugar War
The dispute centers on the operationalization of independent weighbridges used by sugarcane outgrowers to measure their cane before delivery to factories, particularly Kinyara Sugar Works. Farmers have consistently maintained that weighbridges are indispensable trade enablers that shield them from under-weighing, arbitrary deductions and potential exploitation by millers.
In line with an earlier Presidential directive issued in Mayuge, government had guided that weighbridges be operationalized to promote transparency, accountability and fairness within the sugar value chain.
Tensions escalated when a directive reportedly issued through the Minister of Internal Affairs led to the police-supervised dismantling of the Masindi outgrowers’ weighbridge. The move stunned farmers, who described it as abrupt, opaque and seemingly inconsistent with prior government guidance.
Outgrowers claim the dismantling was riddled with corruption and lacked clarity regarding the real bottlenecks affecting both growers and manufacturers. The development triggered anxiety across Masindi, with cooperative union members warning of looming financial losses and possible disruption of cane supply chains.
Gen.Otafiire,Trade Ministry Directives
The controversy comes shortly after Gen. Kahinda Otafiire issued directives concerning compliance and order within the sector. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives has consistently maintained that weighbridges are legitimate commercial infrastructure that enhance accountability, reduce disputes and promote equitable transactions between farmers and manufacturers.
Despite these positions, the situation on the ground remained volatile, with farmers accusing authorities of acting contrary to established policy and Presidential guidance.
Farmers Turn To Son of The Soil Balaam
As tempers flared, members of the Bunyoro Sugarcane Outgrowers Cooperative Union frequently flocked to Minister Balaam’s residence in Masindi Town, imploring him to intervene both as their representative in government and as a native of Bunyoro.
In his characteristic humble and conciliatory demeanor, Balaam listened to their grievances and subsequently took formal action.
In a letter dated 13th February 2026 addressed to the Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives seen by our Spy, Balaam expressed full support for convening an emergency stakeholders’ meeting to de-escalate the crisis.
He observed that the dismantling of the weighbridge appeared to contradict the earlier Presidential directive and emphasized that weighbridges remain essential instruments for accountability, fair measurement and structured trade.
“Masindi is currently at a boiling point,” Balaam cautioned, underscoring the urgency of harmonizing positions and restoring calm through dialogue.
Balaam Warns Against Cane Theft
At the same time, the youthful minister issued a stern warning to individuals suspected to be engaging in the theft of sugarcane belonging to Kinyara Sugar Works and attempting to allegedly channel the stolen produce through weighbridges.
Balaam cautioned that anyone found stealing cane from investors and selling it fraudulently should face severe legal consequences, proposing that offenders deserve sentences of up to two years in prison. He stressed that protecting investors is as critical as safeguarding farmers’ livelihoods.
“We must protect our investors. Stealing their cane, if at all it’s happening, undermines the entire value chain and threatens jobs and stability in the region,” he emphasized.
His remarks signaled a balanced approach — defending farmers’ rights to fair weighing while firmly condemning criminality within the sector.
Cooperative Chairman Dismisses Theft Allegations
However, when pressed by our Spy on allegations that stolen cane could be finding its way to the weighbridge, the Cooperative Chairman, Mr. Kazimbiraine Mohamudh firmly dismissed the claims.
He “dustbined” the accusations, describing them as unfounded and misleading. To buttress his position, he showed our reporter a prominently displayed signpost at the weighbridge clearly outlining strict operational guidelines. 
The notice explicitly prohibits the purchase of cane suspected to be stolen, cane aided by companies in questionable arrangements, and cane delivered through motorcycles or tricycles. It also requires direct confirmation from the farmer regarding the origin of the sugarcane.
The chairman further clarified that the cooperative deals strictly with its registered members and does not weigh cane from unknown gardens or individuals outside their membership structure.
“We know our farmers and their gardens. We only handle cane from our members,” he stated, insisting that the weighbridge operates under transparent and verifiable procedures.
Seeking Amicable Resolution
Minister Balaam’s intervention is widely viewed as a strategic effort to cool tempers and prevent further polarization between outgrowers and manufacturers, including Kinyara Sugar Works.
By rallying relevant ministries, district leaders and sector stakeholders toward structured dialogue, Balaam is seeking an amicable, policy-consistent solution that protects farmers’ incomes, safeguards investors and restores confidence within Bunyoro’s sugar economy.
For thousands of sugarcane outgrowers whose livelihoods hinge on fair weighing systems, the minister’s decisive engagement has injected renewed optimism that the simmering sugar war can be resolved through dialogue rather than confrontation. Watching the space… #SugarWar!
