Speaker Rebecca Kadaga’s thanksgiving ceremony at Christ the King cathedral in Bugembe Town Council Jinja district on Sunday afternoon, was turned into a debating moment about the contentious Sugar Bill.
Every speaker that had a chance to talk, used the moment to express the disappointment with the Sugar Bill that was recently deferred by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Oulanyah for further consultation.
The Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga used the same moment to tell the people of Busoga that some of her colleagues in Parliament didn’t do what was expected from them.
She revealed that some Members of parliament from Busoga region have shied away from the Sugar bill discussion because some of the beneficiaries once the bill is mishandled are godfathers to some MPs.
She said that: “Some of the MPs from Busoga shied away from this Sugar Bill because of the interests of their political financiers whom they had to favor in the bill.”
Kadaga who said that on such bills she will stand by the people of Busoga and other cane growers, urged that there is a need for the government to organize a balanced dialogue meant to harmonize cane growers and millers before the bill is tabled again because power belongs to the people.
Much as the Kingdom officials are supposed no to talk about political matters, the Busoga Kingdom Prime Minister, Joseph Muvawala said that their only prayer is that cane growers be given a chance to add value in their cane before selling to the millers otherwise as a kingdom they have no problem with any sugar mill in the region.
Leading the thanks giving service, the Busoga Diocese Bishop Rt. Rev. Samson Naimanhe, revealed that as the church, they are revealed to the bill in its current form as it affects much the growers who were left out in its preparation.
The Bishop urged that there be sensitization of cane growers in the region on each clause in the bill before it is discussed by parliament. The bill seeks among others to introduce zoning to ensure steady supply of cane to factories to sustain sugar production. The leaders noted that Busoga region is known for supporting government programs and the Sugar Bill should be amended to suit their interests.
Speaker by speaker claimed that unlike the old days when Busoga region was known for cotton and coffee growing, sugarcane growing is the only hope today and any legislation affecting the industry must be done in consultation with all stakeholders. For comments, call or text us on 07522510225.
