Parliament has suspended the implementation of the proposed ban on charcoal use until next Wednesday, giving the government time to explain how the ban would be enforced and what alternatives are available to households that depend on charcoal for cooking.
Speaker of Parliament Oboth Oboth ordered the suspension after MPs raised concerns about the impact of an immediate ban on millions of Ugandans who still rely on charcoal and firewood.
Oboth said the decision was not an endorsement of charcoal use, but a recognition of the practical challenges authorities would face in enforcing the ban.
“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,” he said.
State Minister for Minerals Phiona Nyamutoro told Parliament that the government was promoting alternative sources of cooking energy, including liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), electricity, ethanol and biogas.
She said the government had also introduced a special electricity tariff for cooking to encourage more households to switch from charcoal to electric cooking.
Nyamutoro urged MPs to support the campaign to reduce charcoal use, particularly by encouraging the adoption of gas and other cleaner cooking alternatives.
However, MPs questioned whether the country was ready for an immediate ban, given the continued dependence on charcoal by households, businesses and institutions.
Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi said between 87 and 94 per cent of Ugandans use charcoal and firewood, making an immediate ban unrealistic.
He also pointed to Parliament itself, saying its canteen still uses charcoal despite the institution’s efforts to discourage its use.
“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.
Ssenyonyi said Parliament should first address charcoal use within its own premises if it wants the public to embrace alternative cooking fuels.
Government Chief Whip Jane Ruth Aceng also called for a gradual transition, saying charcoal use could not be stopped overnight.
“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 as the government steps up enforcement of restrictions on charcoal burning and trade in several parts of the country.
On Monday, police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke announced renewed joint enforcement of Executive Order No. 3 of 2023, which restricts charcoal burning and trade in the West Nile, Northern Uganda, Karamoja and Teso sub-regions.
Rusoke also warned motorists travelling to Kampala against transporting charcoal, saying those found carrying even a single bag could be arrested.
The government is now expected to present its report to Parliament next Wednesday, outlining the proposed measures, enforcement challenges and available alternatives before MPs decide how to proceed with the charcoal ban.
