Residents in the Acholi sub-region have welcomed the enforcement of the presidential directive banning commercial charcoal trade but urged the government to make alternative cooking energy affordable and reliable to ease the transition for households that depend on charcoal for cooking and income.
The residents say the directive could help protect forests and curb environmental degradation. However, they warn that its implementation could increase the financial burden on low-income households unless the government addresses the cost and accessibility of alternative energy sources.
Their concerns follow a call by the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) for Ugandans with electricity connections to embrace electric cooking as a cleaner alternative to charcoal.
On Wednesday, October 14, 2026, Julius Wandera, ERA's head of consumer affairs, encouraged households to consider electric cooking following the enforcement of Presidential Executive Order No. 3, which bans commercial charcoal trade.
However, residents in Acholi say the success of the directive will depend on consistent enforcement, affordable energy alternatives and a reliable electricity supply.
Christopher Oruka, a resident of Owoo Sub-county in Gulu District, welcomed the directive but raised concerns about what he described as gaps in enforcement at the local level.
Oruka alleged that some people arrested in connection with charcoal trading had subsequently been released, raising questions about the consistency of enforcement. He called on the government to strengthen monitoring and ensure the directive is implemented uniformly across communities.
“The government should ensure that the directive is enforced effectively at every level. If people arrested over illegal charcoal trade are released without clear accountability, it becomes difficult to achieve the intended results,” Oruka said.
He also urged the government to review electricity tariffs and reduce taxes on gas cylinders to make alternative cooking methods more accessible to ordinary households.
Oruka said environmental protection efforts should be accompanied by measures that enable people to adopt cleaner cooking methods without placing additional pressure on household incomes.
“People need practical alternatives to charcoal. If electricity and gas become more affordable, many households will find it easier to change their cooking methods while supporting efforts to protect the environment,” he added.
High Energy Costs Could Hinder the Transition
Other residents said the cost of alternative energy remains a major obstacle, particularly for low-income households that rely on charcoal because it is readily available and relatively affordable.
Stella, a resident of Layibi who was identified by one name, said electricity costs could discourage many households from switching to electric cooking.
She argued that although some residents might be willing to embrace cleaner energy, affordability must be considered when implementing the ban.
“Many households would welcome cleaner cooking options, but the cost of electricity remains a challenge. The government should consider how ordinary families will afford these alternatives before expecting everyone to stop using charcoal,” Stella said.
She called on authorities to introduce measures that would make electric cooking more affordable, particularly for households with limited incomes.
Residents Raise Concerns Over Electricity Reliability
John Okello, a resident of Nwoya District, questioned whether households could rely entirely on electric cooking given concerns about the reliability of electricity supply.
Okello said frequent or prolonged power interruptions could make it difficult for families to prepare meals consistently, particularly if they had no alternative cooking methods.
“Electric cooking can only become a practical alternative when people have access to a reliable power supply. Households need to be confident that electricity will be available when they need to prepare meals,” he said.
Residents argue that reducing electricity costs alone may not be sufficient to encourage widespread adoption of electric cooking if power supply remains unreliable. They want the government to address both affordability and reliability as part of the transition to cleaner energy.
Charcoal Ban Raises Livelihood Concerns
Beyond household cooking needs, residents say the ban could affect people whose livelihoods depend on charcoal production and trade.
They argue that the government should engage affected communities and develop alternative income-generating opportunities to help households adjust to the new restrictions.
Oruka called for practical interventions that would enable communities to participate in environmental conservation without losing access to affordable cooking energy or essential sources of income.
He urged the government to consult people involved in charcoal-related activities and support them in identifying alternative livelihoods.
The residents maintain that they support efforts to protect forests and conserve the environment but insist that the transition to cleaner cooking methods must take account of the economic realities facing rural communities.
They say improving access to affordable electricity, gas and other cleaner cooking options, alongside reliable power supply and alternative livelihood programmes, would help ensure the directive achieves its environmental objectives without worsening the financial difficulties of vulnerable households.