Field visit to Kakira Sugar Works Limited

The field visits to the sugar sub-sector covered Kakira Sugar Works, SCOUL (Lugazi Sugar), Kinyara Sugar Works, GM Sugar, Mayuge Sugar, and Victoria Sugar Limited. Each of these players demonstrates the breadth of Uganda’s sugar industry, spanning production, energy generation, out-grower engagement, and value addition.

Kakira Sugar Works remains the largest producer, generating sugar, ethanol, spirits, sweets, and renewable electricity from bagasse, while also supporting education and community services. SCOUL contributes significantly to sugar output and has diversified into fertilizers and carbon dioxide production. Kinyara Sugar Works is the second-largest producer and the country’s leading source of refined sugar, with linkages to beverage companies. GM Sugar and Mayuge Sugar also add value through refined sugar, plastics, and electricity generation. Victoria Sugar Limited, one of the newer entrants, is expanding capacity and investing in ethanol production.

The visits revealed sector-wide issues, including cane shortages, premature harvesting, and inconsistent demand for refined sugar. However, they also highlighted opportunities in industrial sugar production, biofuels, energy cogeneration, fertilizer plants, and carbon dioxide processing. Strengthening research into high-yield cane varieties, enforcing the Sugar Act, and protecting local producers from refined sugar imports were noted as critical policy priorities.
Together, these engagements underscored the centrality of the sugar value chain to Uganda’s industrialization agenda, its role in job creation, and its potential to enhance competitiveness both regionally and globally.