By Ssentamu Derrick Peterson at 1225 EAT on Thursday 15 October 2026
Kampala — Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oboth-Oboth has temporarily suspended enforcement of the charcoal ban, giving the government until October 21 to explain how the restrictions are being implemented and what alternatives are available to affected households.
The decision followed concerns raised during Wednesday’s plenary sitting over the challenges of enforcing the restrictions in communities where charcoal remains a primary cooking fuel.
Oboth-Oboth said the suspension was not intended to encourage charcoal use but to address the difficulties enforcement officers face in implementing the restrictions without adequate alternatives for affected communities.
“I do that not because I support charcoal use, but because I am aware of how difficult it is going to be for enforcers,” he said.
He directed the government to submit a comprehensive report to Parliament on October 21, detailing the implementation of the restrictions and progress in providing alternative cooking fuels.
The move comes as security agencies intensify operations to enforce President Yoweri Museveni’s Executive Order No. 3 of 2023, which restricts commercial charcoal production, burning and trade in northern Uganda, West Nile, Karamoja and Teso.
Authorities have recently impounded hundreds of bags of charcoal during enforcement operations, raising concerns about the impact on traders and households that depend on the fuel.
While the government has defended the restrictions as necessary to protect forests and curb environmental degradation, questions remain over whether affected communities can access affordable alternatives.
During the sitting, Oboth-Oboth also questioned the reach of the government’s programme to distribute gas cylinders to encourage the use of alternative cooking fuels.
He said he was unaware of anyone in his West Budama Central constituency who had benefited from the programme.
“I think I’m the only one with a gas cylinder, and because I am a Speaker,” he remarked.
The Speaker directed the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development to include statistics on the distribution of gas cylinders in its report, specifying the number of beneficiaries.
The concerns highlight the challenge of balancing environmental conservation with the needs of households that cannot easily afford alternative energy sources.
The Leader of the Opposition has also criticised the enforcement operations, arguing that the restrictions are being implemented without adequate alternative cooking options for affected communities.
The government’s report is expected to give Parliament an opportunity to scrutinise the enforcement strategy, assess progress in distributing alternative cooking fuels and consider the concerns raised by legislators.
Lawmakers are expected to review the government’s response on October 21 and consider the way forward.
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