Adjumani, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The territorial police in Adjumani District have arrested two individuals and impounded a Fuso truck for allegedly engaging in the illegal transportation and trade of forest products. The suspects are Ali Madira, a 50-year-old farmer from Tanziri Village in Pakele Sub-County, described as a notorious charcoal …
Read More »Up to 42,000 shea nut trees destroyed in agago for charcoal in 18 months
Agago, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | At least 42,100 shea nut trees have been destroyed in Agago District in the past one and a half years, according to a mini-survey conducted by cultural leaders in the district. A report from the mini-survey indicates that since the end of late 2023 …
Read More »Lango RDCs blame security agencies for increasing illegal charcoal trade
Lira, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) in the Lango sub-region have accused Uganda Police Force and Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) personnel of facilitating and benefiting from the illegal charcoal trade, despite a presidential directive banning it. In May 2023, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni issued Executive Order …
Read More »Experts urge regional approach to sustainable charcoal production
“Let’s stop lying to ourselves; charcoal is not going anywhere soon,” said Phosiso Sola, CIFOR’s team lead Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Environmental experts want a unified regional approach and sustainable production mechanisms to solve the persistent charcoal concerns in sub-Saharan Africa. Charcoal remains deeply entrenched in the household …
Read More »UPDF releases impounded charcoal trucks
GULU, UGANDA | THE INDEPENDENT | The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) has released nine trucks that were impounded from within the Lango sub-region for illegally transporting charcoal. In 2023, President Museveni issued an executive order No. 3 aimed at curbing environmental degradation and insecurity in Northern Uganda by banning …
Read More »Charcoal trade crackdown intensifies in northern Uganda
Lira, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Fifth Division Commander, Maj Gen Keith Katungi, has issued a warning to those defying the Presidential Executive Order banning the illegal charcoal trade in Northern Uganda. During a meeting held at the 103 Infantry Battalion headquarters, Maj Gen Katungi handed over ten vehicles that …
Read More »Up to 85% of Ugandans rely on traditional charcoal and firewood
Many Ugandans Unaware of Alternative Cooking Methods Beyond Charcoal and Firewood – UNACC Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Experts from the Uganda National Alliance for Clean Cooking (UNACC) have raised concerns about the lack of awareness among Ugandans regarding alternatives to charcoal and firewood. Sarah Babirye, Projects Manager at …
Read More »Most Ugandan households still use firewood, charcoal for cooking
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Despite the deliberate effort by the government to increase electricity generation, distribution and extend cooking gas cylinders, most Ugandan households are still using either firewood or charcoal for cooking, a survey by Twaweza, a nongovernmental organization working in East Africa has found. In their Sauti …
Read More »UPDF seeks answers from URA over seals found on charcoal trucks
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Suspicion is brewing about possible connivance by some Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) personnel regarding the issuance of seals to aid the easy movement of charcoal by commercial dealers out of Northern Uganda. Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) personnel in July this year intensified the implementation …
Read More »Charcoal ban in northern Uganda
Enforcers should adhere to just energy transition principles that necessitate a manner that is both fair and inclusive COMMENT | WALTER AKENA | In May 2023, the President issued Executive Order No. 3 banning large-scale commercial charcoal production and trade in Northern Uganda. This directive aimed to curb the rampant deforestation …
Read More »