The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
150 sugarcane traders are demanding the government to compensate them over a ban by the Kenyan government to stop the importation of sugarcane from Uganda
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | More than 100 Ugandan traders who were affected by a decision by the Kenyan government to stop the importation of sugarcane from Uganda are demanding compensation.
In July last year, Kenya’s Agriculture Cabinet Secretary, Peter Munya announced a total ban on the importation of sugarcane from Uganda. Munya also suspended the pre-shipping approval and extension of all sugar permits until further notice.
There are 150 cane traders under their association Busia sugar cane trader’s association who claim they lost over 50 billion shillings following the ban.
Godfrey Barasa, the chairman of Busia district sugar cane trader’s association says that the ban left over 200 trucks loaded with canes stranded along Busia streets. He says that the traders couldn’t take back the already bought canes that were meant to proceed to Kenyan cane factories.
Barasa says that canes worth over 50 billion shillings got dried up along Busia customs streets and traders were forced to dump the dried canes in the given open spaces.
The 150 cane traders have now asked the government to compensate them because they were hit hard by the ban. They note that they are still struggling to pay back bank loans and others are on the run due to fear of being arrested over debts.
Kenyatta Wanjala, another trader says that the Kenyan government has continued to suspend Ugandan traders products imported into their country even without warning.
Michael Wandera says that he lost 28 Million Shillings from the two cane trucks that he was taking to the Kenyan factory and was expecting to sell and get 50 million shillings.
Godfrey Ongwabe, the national chairman cross border trade says that they earlier petitioned Kenyan High Court and the court ruled against the ban and ordered traders to resume importing canes into the country.
Joseph Sechewa, the Uganda Revenue Authority-URA officer-in-charge of clearance desk says that they did not get any official communication from their Kenyan counterparts when they were imposing the ban on Ugandan products. He says that the abrupt banning always affects their revenue collections at the border.
*****
URN
