Police have clarified that the recent warning on the use of charcoal was misinterpreted by members of the public, stressing that the ban applies only to specified regions of the country.
Last week, police reiterated that President Yoweri Museveni’s Executive Order issued in May 2023 prohibits charcoal burning and trade in West Nile, Northern Uganda, Karamoja and the Teso sub-region. However, the announcement was widely interpreted to mean that the ban applies nationwide.
Addressing journalists on Monday, Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke said the executive order remains in force in the affected regions.
“The jurisdiction was northern Uganda, West Nile, Karamoja plus Teso sub region. There was an order issued in 2023 and if these voices (public uproar) were genuine, they would have been raised in 2023,” Rusoke said.
“My intention was to make sure that instead of people finding themselves in a corner of an operation, it is good manners to inform them.”
Ban Misinterpreted
The charcoal ban has sparked public uproar, with many people, particularly on social media, criticising the police over the announcement.
The debate has also reached Parliament, prompting the Speaker to halt the implementation of the ban.
Speaking on Monday, Rusoke said his intention was to inform the public that the President’s executive order prohibiting charcoal burning and trade in Northern Uganda, West Nile, Karamoja and the Teso sub-region remained in force.
“Now I was accused of informing them. There was fear it was national but it wasn’t national. If there were genuine concerns, people should use available channels to approach it. This was directive by the head of state,” he said.