Unasgo was established by the 3 Ugandan Canegrowers Organisations in Dec 06 with support of AgriCord under the WABCG program (3644). It has since then established a secretariat and has worked on its position as a representative organisation at the National level. Its main focus points under this present project are lobby work (mainly in order to establish a legal framework in Uganda for the sugar sector - thus including terms of collaboration between millers and growers and price issues including the division of proceeds) and other direct support to its member Organisations (linked to the coordination of project 5186).

The absence of an apex body of sugarcane growers in the country has left a lot to be desired in the sector that has strong millers and government as partners has left cane growers at a disadvantage. UNASGO was therefore established in October 2006 with support from AgriCord under the WABCG program for the strengthening of Canegrowers Organisations (3644 Sugarcane Farmers´ Organisations and Platform). This was done in a participative way involving and informing the different stakeholders in the sector. In December 2006, a strategic planning was carried out, which resulted in the present project proposal for 2007-08. UNASGO is not yet visible and is not widely known in the country as it is a new association and it is yet to embark on day to day lobby and advocacy activities. Project activities will include: 1) To strengthen the institutional capacity of UNASGO including establishment of a secretariat, training of NEC and Staff of UNASGO, identify needs and building of member organizations capacity, communication and information sharing between UNASGO and stakeholders, and development of a sustainability plan for UNASGO 2) To advocate and lobby the different stakeholders in the sugar industry possibly as a joint effort with UNFFE (Uganda National Farmers Federation) and WABCG (World Association of Beet and Cane Growers). Sugarcane farmers and associations have several common needs that can not easily be dealt with at individual farmer or farmer organization at mill level that include: need for a sugar policy in Uganda, lower prices offered to sugarcane farmers and limited revenue sharing from other products of sugarcane, limited research in the sugarcane industry, lack of representation and participation in international activities related to sugarcane growing, lack of channels for exchange of information and ideas between sugarcane growers, farmer organizations and other stakeholders in the sugar industry.