Acholi chiefs join UEDCL in anti-bush burning campaign

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The chiefs of Acholi have joined the Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (UEDCL) in the fight against bush burning.

According to records obtained from UEDCL, 47 electricity poles have been burnt in the districts of Gulu, Amuru and Adjumani since the beginning of this year, costing the company over shillings 90 million in damages.

To curb the practice, common during the dry season in northern Uganda, UEDCL on February 10, 2026, launched a month-long initiative dubbed the “Anti-bush Burning Campaign.”

Through the campaign, the company is engaging local and cultural leaders, among other stakeholders, to mobilise communities against bush burning, which destroys electricity infrastructure, including poles.

During an engagement with Acholi cultural leaders at the Acholi Paramount Chief’s Palace in Gulu City's Bardege-Layibi division on February 12, 2026, the chiefs unanimously joined the campaign and pledged to task their respective clan leaders with sensitising communities about the dangers of bush burning.

Campaign to reduce practice

Rwot Martin Otinga Otto Yai of Lamogi chiefdom and deputy paramount chief, said they would intensify efforts to discourage the practice, which is common in Acholi, especially during the dry season.

Rwot Martin Otinga Atuka Otto Yai, the Deputy Acoli Paramount Chief, speaking during the sensitisation meeting. (Photo by Dennis Ojwee)

He noted that while it may be difficult to eliminate bush burning entirely, the campaign could significantly reduce its occurrence.

“As much as we (traditional chiefs) can do our part to help sensitise the people in the villages through the chiefdoms, UEDCL must know that it would be very difficult to stop bush fire completely,” he said.

“Getting the culprits will not be easy because someone can torch the grasses, say in the night from any point and disappear,” Rwot Otinga added.

Rwot Otinga also advised UEDCL to regularly clear vegetation along power lines to prevent fires from spreading to electricity poles.

Petition for connection to national grid

The cultural leaders used the same meeting to petition UEDCL to connect their homes to the national grid.

They said the Government had previously provided them with solar power systems, but the batteries have since deteriorated.

Rwot Collins Opoka of Guna chiefdom said access to electricity would improve their living standards, noting that many of them are currently living in darkness.

Meanwhile, Acholi Deputy Prime Minister Martin Okumu urged UEDCL to address persistent power outages in the sub-region, which he described as being perceived by some as a deliberate attempt to hinder development.

“Many people in Acholi do think the constant power outages could be a deliberate action by the government to deter tangible industrial development in the region,” he said.

Noeline Biribonwa, the senior stakeholder officer at the UEDCL regional office in Gulu city, commended the chiefs for committing to fight bush burning, noting that the cost of replacing a burnt electricity pole is high.

Francis Omony, UEDCL Technical Assistant in charge of Connections and Metering at the Gulu regional office, emphasised that bush burning is illegal and punishable by law.

“We saw that before we get to the law, we would work with the cultural institutions to help sensitise the people in the villages to know the dangers of bush burning,” he said.