The security forces have impounded and freely distributed several bags of charcoal to the local community of Nwoya District following a recently announced ban on the transportation of charcoal into the country.
Forth Infantry Division Public Information Officer, Major Bilal Katamba, said the exercise followed a directive issued by Maj Gen Busizoori to repurpose charcoal seized from illegal dealers by distributing it to communities affected by the environmental damage associated with charcoal burning.
”The charcoal was distributed to residents of Anaka Town Council and Agungu Village in Purongo Sub-county, Nwoya District.” Maj Katamba said on Thursday evening.
The move was intended to support communities whose livelihoods have been affected by deforestation caused by illegal charcoal burning, reechoing an order issued by the commander while meeting charcoal dealers and security this Tuesday.
‘You are receiving this charcoal because your livelihoods and surroundings have been severely impacted by deforestation driven by illegal dealers,’ Maj Gen. Busizoori said.
He mobilised residents to take an active role in protecting the environment and conserving natural ecosystems, while calling for stronger cooperation between communities and security agencies in combating illegal logging and charcoal burning.
Maj Gen Busizoori encouraged residents to provide timely and actionable information to security agencies about individuals involved in illegal logging and charcoal burning in their areas.
Meanwhile, the owners of the impounded charcoal were handed over to the Nwoya District Police Commander for investigation.
On Tuesday, the security issued an order banning transportation of charcoal into Uganda, a drive triggered by defiance of the Presidential Executive Order Number 3 of 2023 banning commercial business.
Some charcoal dealers claimed that they were cutting trees and transporting charcoal from South Sudan, a defence the security said was unrealistic and threatening the neighbouring country’s security and environment.
Enforcement remains a challenge
Despite the ban and enforcement operations, illegal charcoal production has continued in parts of northern Uganda.
In June 2024, police and the NFA arrested 12 suspected illegal charcoal dealers during operations in Amuru and Gulu districts and impounded more than 900 bags of charcoal.
The suspects were accused of violating Executive Order No. 3, with some allegedly found cutting trees and producing charcoal inside Kilak Corner Forest Reserve.
The Ministry of Water and Environment says it is implementing a Forestry Management and Sustainable Charcoal Value Chain initiative with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, supported by the European Union and implemented with the Food and Agriculture Organisation.
The programme includes establishing wood-energy plantations, rehabilitating degraded forests, promoting more efficient charcoal kilns and encouraging cleaner alternatives such as solar energy, liquefied petroleum gas and improved cooking stoves.
In 2024, the then State Minister for Northern Uganda Rehabilitation, Kenneth Omona, said the government had withdrawn forest produce movement permits in greater northern and eastern Uganda, while working with the Uganda Revenue Authority to strengthen monitoring of cross-border charcoal trade.