Jinja RCC Urges Sugar Cane Dealers to Transition to New Trucks

Jinja Resident City Commissioner (RCC) Richard Gulume Balyainho has urged sugarcane dealers and transporters in the Busoga sub-region to urgently replace their ageing fleet with modern trucks.

Speaking on Friday during the launch of the new Sinotruk 4-ton box body truck in Jinja, the RCC warned that many trucks currently in use — some dating back to the 1980s and 1990s — are in dangerous mechanical condition and have been linked to several road accidents in the region.

“These old trucks are not only inefficient but also pose a serious safety risk. They frequently break down and contribute to accidents that claim lives and damage property. Sugarcane dealers should invest in new, reliable trucks to improve safety and boost their business,” Gulume said.

He emphasised that newer trucks offer better fuel efficiency, fewer breakdowns, and higher productivity, ultimately allowing operators to earn more while reducing risks on Busoga’s roads, where sugarcane-laden trucks have been involved in multiple fatal crashes in recent months.

The launch event, themed “Move More, Earn More,” introduced the Sinotruk 4-ton truck as an entry-level model into a complete commercial vehicle ecosystem ranging from 4 tonnes to 28 tonnes. The event attracted small and medium enterprises (SMEs), fleet operators, and industry players.

Sinotruk Sales Director for Double Q, Jack Wang, highlighted the scalability of the brand: “We are presenting a full range, from 4T to 28T, giving you the flexibility to scale your operations seamlessly. As your business grows, your fleet can grow with the same trusted brand, the same proven performance, and the same reliable support.”

Kobe Xiao, Head of Key Accounts at Double Q, added: “Whether you are making your first deliveries in the city, expanding into regional distribution, or scaling into large contracts and heavy haulage, Double Q is positioned to support you at every stage of your journey.”

The 4-ton truck is said to be purpose-built for urban and light commercial operations, offering strong payload capacity, superior fuel efficiency, durability, and low maintenance costs — key factors for increasing earnings in the competitive sugarcane transport business.

The broader Sinotruk lineup includes 10T trucks for regional distribution, 15T trucks for bulk transport, and 28T trucks for heavy-duty industrial haulage. This range provides a clear growth pathway for sugarcane transporters and other logistics operators in Busoga looking to modernise and expand.