KAMPALA, October 14, 2026 — Parliament has moved to halt enforcement of the charcoal trade ban in parts of Uganda pending a statement from the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development on the ban and the uptake of alternative energy sources.
The enforcement follows Presidential Executive Order No. 3, issued on May 19, 2023, which bans charcoal burning and trade in West Nile, northern Uganda, Karamoja and the Teso sub-region.
The Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Markson Oboth, issued the directive while chairing a plenary sitting on Wednesday.
“Government should come next Wednesday and update us on this ban, and tell us the extent of the performance by the ministry in promoting alternative energy sources,” Oboth said.
“Between now and Wednesday, let us first suspend the enforcement. I do that not because I support charcoal, but because I am aware of how difficult it is going to be for the enforcers,” he added.
The directive followed concerns raised by the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Joel Ssenyonyi, who said the announcement on enforcement of the ban had caused widespread public alarm.
Ssenyonyi cited a 2024 survey by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics [UBOS], which indicated that between 87 and 94 per cent of Ugandans use charcoal and firewood.
“How aggressively are we making it possible for ordinary persons to access alternative sources of energy? This directive was issued three years ago, but what has government done to avail these alternatives cheaply to Ugandans before we can heavily crack the whip?” Ssenyonyi asked.
Cohen Amanya, the MP for Igara County West, questioned the legality of the ban and called for its suspension until Parliament enacts a law on the matter.
“In the meantime, let the status quo be maintained until the minister comes with a statement,” Amanya said.
The Minister of State for Energy and Mineral Development [Minerals], Phiona Nyamutooro, said the ministry was promoting alternative energy sources, including liquefied petroleum gas [LPG], electric cooking, ethanol and biogas.
She said the government had introduced a specific electricity tariff for cooking to support the adoption of electric cooking.
“As part of oil and gas production, LPG will be produced from both the Tilenga and Kingfisher projects. We hope that this will help improve access to clean gas,” Nyamutooro said.
She added that the ministry continued to distribute free LPG cylinders and accessories to stimulate the use of gas as an alternative energy source.
Nyamutooro also said the ministry’s Clean Cooking Unit continued to sensitise the public about perceptions surrounding gas safety and cultural barriers to its adoption.
Ssenyonyi, however, questioned the impact of efforts to promote LPG, putting its uptake among the public at only two per cent. He said many Ugandans could not afford gas refills despite receiving free LPG cylinder kits.
The Government Chief Whip, Jane Ruth Aceng, said the proposal involved several government agencies and would therefore be implemented in phases.
“We cannot stop it outright, so we will have dialogue through the office of the Leader of Government Business with the Ministry of Energy to map a way forward to address it step by step,” Aceng said.
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