Parliament suspends enforcement of charcoal ban

Parliament has suspended the implementation of the proposed ban on charcoal use until next Wednesday, giving the government time to present a comprehensive report on the planned measures and available alternative energy sources.

Speaker of Parliament Oboth Oboth directed the suspension, citing the practical difficulties of enforcing an immediate ban given the large number of Ugandans who depend on charcoal for cooking.

“I do that not because I support charcoal use, but because I am aware of how difficult it is going to be for enforcers. So between now and next Wednesday, let’s suspend the ban on charcoal use,” Oboth said.

State Minister for Minerals Phiona Nyamutoro said the government would continue promoting alternative energy sources, including liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), electric cooking, ethanol and biogas.

“Government also instituted a specific tariff for cooking to support adoption of electricity use,” Nyamutoro said.

She urged Members of Parliament to support efforts to discourage charcoal use and promote alternative cooking energy sources, particularly gas.

“It is high time MPs joined in the campaign against using charcoal,” she said.

However, her proposal drew criticism from legislators, who questioned the feasibility of immediately banning charcoal when many households and institutions still rely on it for cooking.

Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi said between 87 and 94 per cent of Ugandans use charcoal and firewood in their homes, making an immediate ban difficult to implement.

“87 to 94% of Ugandans use charcoal and firewood at their homes. Even here at Parliament, the canteen where all of us eat from, they use charcoal. We see trucks entering on weekends and at night here,” Ssenyonyi said.

He called for Parliament to address charcoal use within its own premises, arguing that the institution should lead by example.

Government Chief Whip Jane Ruth Aceng said the transition away from charcoal would require a gradual approach rather than an immediate prohibition.

“We can’t stop it overnight. We shall have a dialogue through the Office of the Leader of Government Business and the Energy Ministry so that it is addressed step by step,” Aceng said.

The debate comes amid renewed government enforcement of restrictions on charcoal burning and trade in parts of the country.

On Monday, police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke announced renewed inter-agency enforcement of Executive Order No. 3 of 2023, which prohibits charcoal burning and trade in the West Nile, Northern Uganda, Karamoja and Teso sub-regions.

Rusoke also warned motorists travelling to Kampala from other parts of the country against transporting charcoal, saying even those carrying a single bag could face arrest.

The suspension gives the government until next Wednesday to present its report to Parliament, after which legislators are expected to consider the proposed measures, enforcement challenges and available alternatives to charcoal use.

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