Daniel Mugula
Wednesday 14 October 2026
Police say the charcoal ban remains in force as security agencies seize 247 bags in Amuru and Pakwach.
Police have maintained that the ban on charcoal burning and trade in affected areas remains in force despite Parliament Speaker Oboth Oboth’s decision to suspend the government directive pending a report on the matter.
Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke said security agencies would continue enforcing Executive Order No. 3 of 2023, issued by President Yoweri Museveni to curb deforestation and environmental degradation in Northern Uganda and other affected regions.
Rusoke said enforcement targets both commercial charcoal dealers and individuals transporting charcoal for domestic use, provided it originates from areas covered by the ban.
“We are not targeting only those doing commercial charcoal selling but also those carrying single bags for domestic use. As long as the charcoal is coming from Northern Uganda,” Rusoke said.
Police reported seizing 232 bags of charcoal in Amuru District and another 15 bags in Pakwach District, bringing the total to 247 bags. Arrests were also made, although police did not disclose the identities of the suspects or confirm whether they had been charged.
Speaker Oboth Oboth said he suspended the directive not to promote tree cutting or charcoal trade, but because its implementation would be difficult without certain adjustments.
The enforcement campaign covers Northern Uganda, Karamoja and West Nile, where authorities say charcoal production and transportation are contributing to forest loss.
Previous operations have resulted in the arrest of 40 charcoal dealers in Gulu in August and the seizure of about 3,000 bags of charcoal in neighbouring Nwoya District.
Police have urged the public to comply with the directive, warning that even small quantities of charcoal intended for household consumption may attract enforcement action if transported from restricted areas.
The conflicting positions between Parliament and police leave questions about how the directive will be implemented as authorities await further guidance on the matter.
