The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has demanded an immediate halt to what it describes as punitive enforcement of the charcoal trade ban, arguing that the government should provide affordable alternatives before restricting a source of energy and livelihood for thousands of Ugandans.
Robert Centenary, the party’s vice chairperson, said the enforcement of Presidential Executive Order No. 3 of 2023 in parts of northern Uganda, West Nile and Karamoja was hurting traders and households that depend on charcoal for income and cooking.
“Uganda must go green responsibly, gradually, and with the people, not against them,” Centenary said while speaking to the media in Kampala.
The party acknowledged the need to protect forests but criticised the government for enforcing restrictions without ensuring that affordable alternatives, including liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and electricity for cooking, were accessible to low-income households.
FDC said the high cost of clean cooking options made it difficult for many families to abandon charcoal and firewood, warning that abrupt restrictions could worsen the cost of living and disrupt livelihoods.
The party cited an increase in the price of a charcoal bag in Kampala from Shs70,000 to between Shs120,000 and Shs150,000, which it attributed to enforcement of the restrictions. The figures were not independently verified in the statement.
Centenary said the government should not pursue environmental protection at the expense of people who depend on the charcoal trade to pay school fees, buy food and meet other basic needs.
“Conservation must never be used as a tool to punish the poor,” he said.
The party also criticised reports of trucks being burned during enforcement operations, demanding an end to what it described as harassment of traders and militarised policing.
FDC called for a phased transition from charcoal to cleaner energy, supported by subsidies to reduce electricity costs and the price of gas refills.
It further urged the government to address illegal commercial logging and corruption, which it said contribute to deforestation, instead of placing the burden of enforcement primarily on small-scale traders.
The party proposed a nationwide tree-planting campaign and called on the National Forestry Authority to distribute free seedlings during monthly community cleaning activities.
FDC welcomed Parliament’s reported decision to temporarily halt enforcement pending a comprehensive ministerial statement, saying the pause should be used to consult traders, local leaders and affected communities.
The government has defended restrictions on charcoal production and transportation as necessary to protect forests, including slow-growing shea trees, and curb deforestation.
FDC did not dispute the need for conservation but argued that enforcement should be accompanied by realistic economic alternatives.
The party said a structured transition, affordable clean energy and stronger action against illegal logging would better balance environmental protection with the livelihoods of affected communities.