By KT Reporter
Victoria Sugar Limited, an Indian Company based in Luwero district, has defied the District Security Committee directives to reopen access roads to ease the movement of agricultural produce for an Eritrean firm.
Early this week, the Luwero District Security Committee rushed to Kitabule village in Butuntumula Sub-County and ordered the reopening of access roads closed by Victoria Sugar Limited.
This was after the blockade affected the transportation of agricultural produce by Ammars Agro Limited, a company owned by the Eritrean.
Victoria Sugar Limited dug trenches along a section of the roads heading to Ammars Agro Limited, claiming it was protecting sugarcane against fire and theft. They also accused Ammars Agro Limited of refusing to contribute to the maintenance costs.
On Monday, Sarah Nakitende, the Luwero Deputy Resident District Commissioner, backed by the Police and the LCV Chairperson, ordered for immediate reopening of the access roads to ease movement.
However shortly after workers of Ammars Agro Limited reopened, the roads, Victoria Sugar Limited workers returned the following night and dug long trenches, closing the roads again.
Nakitende said they ordered the company to reopen access roads based on interactions with conflicting parties and earlier guidance from the RDC Secretariat office following a petition there by Ammars Agro Limited.
” However, to our dismay, we have been notified that Victoria Sugar Limited closed the road again a few hours after we left the place. We therefore advise the conflicting parties to utilise other channels, including petitioning the State House Investor’s Protection Unit to settle their dispute since our efforts have been abused by Victoria Sugar Limited, “Nakitende said in a letter dated 19th, addressed to the RDC Secretariat.
Ammars Agro Limited manages 170 acres of pineapples, 50 acres of bananas, and 180 acres of maize at plots 2 and 3, block 756, in Kibaaga and Kitabule village, Butuntumula Sub-County.
Petros Fissahaye, Director of Ammars Agro Limited, said the crops are ready for harvest, but they are likely to rot in gardens because they are unable to transport them to the markets due to the blockade.
“Over 90 tons of pineapples and 150 tons of maize are ready for harvesting, but the roads were closed, something that affects not only us but the entire value chain, including consumers. Our machinery can’t move or refuel because the access roads were closed,” Fissahaye
Fissahaye told URN reporter that he has petitioned several government agencies seeking their help in vain.
He is, however, hopeful State House Investor’s Protection Unit will intervene in the matter and force the sugar company to reopen the roads.
Erastus Kibirango, the LC 5 Chairman of Luwero District, said that Victoria Sugar Limited has disregarded all local authorities and listens to only the Investment Ministry and the President’s orders.
” The company managers are arrogant and don’t respect us. We can’t do much and advise the Eritrean to open a civil suit against them in court,” Kibirango said
Earlier on, Sr. Mary Grace Akiror, Deputy Head of the Resident District Commissioners’ Secretariat, on August 14, wrote to the Luwero Deputy RDC directing the security committee to ensure the road is reopened.
“Victoria Sugar Limited is requested to comply with the position of the District Security Committee, bearing in mind that there are laws governing the nation that must be respected. Failure to do so, DSC shall have no other option but to enforce appropriate laws within the mandate,” the letter warned.
Despite the warning, Victoria Sugar Limited went ahead to close the road again in total disregard of the office.
Victoria Sugar Limited operates 54 hectares of sugarcane farms on block 720 plot 20, in Butuntumula Sub-County.
In earlier correspondence with District officials, Human Resource Manager Esther Ayoko said the access roads are on their property and they have the right to close them.
Ayoko insisted that the blockade was intended to protect the sugarcane against theft and burning.
Meanwhile, Inspectors from the National Environmental Management Authority also rushed to the Sugar factory located at Ndibulungi and conducted investigations following complaints from the public that it was polluting the environment through emitting dangerous gases in the air.
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