Parliament has suspended enforcement of the ban on charcoal burning and trade until the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development explains how the policy will be implemented and what alternative sources of energy are available to households.
The directive was issued by Speaker Jacob Markson Oboth during plenary on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, following concerns that the ban could affect millions of households that depend on charcoal and firewood for cooking.
The ban is based on Presidential Executive Order No. 3, issued on May 19, 2023, which prohibited charcoal burning and trade in West Nile, Northern Uganda, Karamoja and the Teso sub-region.
Speaker Oboth directed the government to return to Parliament the following Wednesday with a statement on the implementation of the ban and progress in providing alternative sources of energy.
“For 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,” Mr Oboth said.
The decision followed concerns raised by Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi, who said the announcement on enforcement had caused concern among the public.
Mr Ssenyonyi cited Uganda Bureau of Statistics data showing that between 87 and 94 per cent of Ugandans depend on charcoal and firewood for cooking.
He questioned whether the government had done enough to make alternative sources of energy affordable and accessible to ordinary households.
Mr Ssenyonyi also raised concerns about the low use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which he said stands at about two per cent. He noted that some households that received free LPG starter kits struggle to afford refills.
The Minister of State for Energy and Mineral Development, Ms Phiona Nyamutooro, said the government was promoting LPG, electric cooking, ethanol and biogas as alternatives to charcoal and firewood.
She said government had introduced a special electricity tariff for cooking and was distributing LPG cylinders and accessories to encourage more households to adopt clean cooking methods.
Ms Nyamutooro also said LPG would be produced from the Tilenga and Kingfisher oil projects, which she said would improve access to cooking gas.
However, Igara County West MP Cohen Amanya questioned the legality of the charcoal ban and called for enforcement to remain suspended until the necessary legislation is passed.
Government Chief Whip Jane Ruth Aceng said the matter involves several government agencies and would require a phased approach.
She said the Leader of Government Business would engage the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development to agree on the way forward.
Parliament is now expected to consider the government’s report before enforcement of the ban resumes.
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