NRM Government Chief Whip Hon. Jane Ruth Aceng has said Uganda cannot stop the use of charcoal overnight, calling for a gradual approach to implementing the restrictions. Aceng said the government needs to engage stakeholders and address the issue step by step rather than relying on an immediate order to end charcoal use.

“We can’t stop it overnight. We shall have a dialogue through the Office of the Leader of Government Business and the Energy Ministry so that it is addressed step by step,” Aceng said. Her remarks suggest that discussions will be needed to determine how the restrictions can be implemented while considering the challenges faced by people who depend on charcoal.

The comments come amid growing debate over the enforcement of President Yoweri Museveni’s Executive Order No. 3, which has been linked to restrictions on charcoal activities. Police had earlier communicated a position on enforcing the ban, prompting concerns among charcoal dealers and other people whose livelihoods depend on the trade.

Aceng’s call for dialogue highlights the challenges of implementing restrictions that affect households, traders and businesses. Charcoal remains an important source of cooking fuel for many Ugandans, while its production and trade provide income for people involved in the supply chain.

In a related development, charcoal dealers operating near the Uganda-South Sudan border reportedly stormed Koboko District headquarters to demand a review of the enforcement measures. The traders said their businesses were a source of livelihood and expressed concern about the impact of the restrictions on their ability to earn an income.

The dealers called on authorities to consider their circumstances before enforcing measures that could disrupt their businesses. Their protest reflects the concerns of traders who fear losing their income if charcoal activities are halted without a transition plan or alternative economic opportunities.

The debate presents the government with the challenge of balancing enforcement of environmental measures with the economic needs of people who depend on charcoal production and sales.

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A phased approach, as proposed by Aceng, would involve dialogue between relevant government offices and affected stakeholders to discuss how implementation should proceed. As discussions continue, the position taken by Aceng and the concerns raised by the Koboko traders have added to calls for clearer guidance on the enforcement of Executive Order No. 3. The outcome of the proposed consultations could help determine how charcoal restrictions are implemented and how the government addresses the concerns of communities whose livelihoods depend on the trade.