parliament 18 October 2026 Parliament of Uganda
Speaker Halts Charcoal Ban Enforcement, Demands Government Statement on Alternatives
The Speaker of Parliament has temporarily suspended the enforcement of the presidential order banning charcoal trade, calling for a statement from the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development regarding alternative energy sources. This decision comes in response to concerns about the potential public alarm and economic impact of the ban, given the widespread reliance on charcoal in Uganda. Source: https://www.parliament.go.ug/index.php/news/4664/speaker-halts-charcoal-trade-ban-pending-govt-statement
Speaker Jacob Marksons Oboth has put a pause on the enforcement of the ban on charcoal trade across several regions of Uganda. This directive comes as the House awaits a comprehensive statement from the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development. The statement is expected to detail the government’s efforts in promoting alternative energy sources, a crucial step before the ban, enacted by Presidential Executive Order No. 3 in May 2023, is fully implemented.
Oboth made the ruling during a plenary sitting, acknowledging the significant public concern raised by the ban’s aggressive enforcement. He noted the difficulty enforcers might face and the potential hardship on ordinary Ugandans, stating, “For between now and Wednesday, let us first suspend the enforcement.”
The Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi, brought the issue to the forefront, highlighting a Uganda Bureau of Statistics survey indicating that a vast majority of Ugandans (87-94%) rely on charcoal and firewood. He questioned the government’s progress in making alternative energy sources accessible and affordable before imposing such a stringent ban.
Supporting the suspension, Hon. Cohen Amanya suggested that the status quo should remain until a substantive law is passed and the minister provides a detailed statement. The Minister of State for Energy, Hon. Phiona Nyamutooro, mentioned the Ministry’s promotion of alternatives like LPG, electric cooking, ethanol, and biogas, including initiatives like subsidized cooking tariffs and free LPG cylinder distribution.
However, Ssenyonyi challenged the effectiveness and affordability of these alternatives, particularly LPG refills, for the majority of the population. The Government Chief Whip, Hon. Jane Ruth Aceng, assured that the matter involves multiple government agencies and will be addressed progressively through dialogue, mapping a step-by-step approach to a sustainable way forward.
Source: Parliament of Uganda