Charcoal ban sparks calls for affordable clean energy in Lango

Lira, Uganda: Leaders in the Lango sub-region are calling on the government to subsidize alternative energy sources to cushion communities affected by the recent ban on charcoal trade under President Museveni’s Executive Order No. 3.

The call was made during a stakeholders’ meeting held in Lira City, where local leaders criticized the lack of adequate planning ahead of the sweeping ban meant to curb deforestation across Northern Uganda.

Judith Alyek, Chairperson of the Lango Parliamentary Group, accused relevant ministries of failing to provide President Museveni with accurate data before the order was issued, noting that poor households are now struggling to access alternatives like gas, solar power, and electricity.

“We are still struggling because before the President made the executive order on the environment, the respective ministries did not feed him with enough data. People are stuck without affordable alternatives,” Alyek said.

Kwania District LCV Chairperson Geoffrey Ogwal Adyebo warned that Uganda’s energy landscape is still dominated by firewood and charcoal, which remain the primary cooking fuels for most citizens. He urged government to introduce targeted subsidies to drive a shift toward cleaner energy.

“The highest source of energy used for cooking by the majority of Ugandans comes from charcoal and firewood. If the government says ‘don’t cut trees,’ then let it provide affordable alternatives,” Adyebo said.

He proposed a price mechanism that encourages clean energy adoption. “Supposing the price of a gas cylinder lowers to UGX 50,000 and a bag of charcoal rises to UGX 75,000, the demand for charcoal will decline while the demand for gas cylinders will rise.”

Amolatar Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Francis Okello Doki Rwot-lonyo expressed concern over the porous enforcement of the executive order, questioning how trucks carrying charcoal continue to evade security roadblocks.

“There is a lot of gap in implementation. You see charcoal trucks pass through checkpoints, then you wonder what is really happening. The hunters should be hunted,” he said, calling for investigations into security operatives.

Minister of State for Northern Uganda, Dr. Kenneth Omona, acknowledged the energy crisis and confirmed government efforts to introduce alternative energy solutions. “We are trying to bring in alternative sources of energy. If we get some money, even from development partners, it will help us subsidize clean energy options,” he said.

Omona added that Uganda’s pending oil and gas production is expected to lower gas prices in the long run. “When we begin producing our own oil and gas, the prices of gas will become cheaper. People will begin buying gas cylinders instead of using charcoal.”