UPDF distributes 300 bags of confiscated charcoal to Gulu City residents
The charcoal was distributed free of charge to residents along the Gulu-Kampala highway in Pida East and Pida West Cells in Laroo-Pece Division, Gulu City, on Monday evening (August 24). The distribution exercise attracted hundreds of people and temporarily disrupted traffic in Gulu City.
Maj. Gen. Wilberforce Sserunkuma Karete, the newly appointed commander of the UPDF 4th Infantry Division begun his tenure by overseeing the distribution of more than 300 bags of charcoal confiscated from illegal dealers. (Credit: Christopher Nyeko)
GULU - The newly appointed commander of the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) 4th Infantry Division, Maj. Gen. Wilberforce Sserunkuma, has kicked off work as the new commander by overseeing the distribution of more than 300 bags of charcoal confiscated from illegal commercial dealers in northern Uganda.
The charcoal was distributed free of charge to residents along the Gulu-Kampala highway in Pida East and Pida West Cells in Laroo-Pece Division, Gulu City, on Monday evening (August 24).
The distribution exercise attracted hundreds of people and temporarily disrupted traffic in Gulu City.
Sserunkuma was accompanied by security officials and local leaders during the distribution exercise.
The charcoal was seized on August 23, 2026, from a truck that was reportedly transporting it from Apaa in Adjumani District to Kampala.
Security personnel, including UPDF soldiers and the Police Field Force Unit personnel, were deployed to maintain order as residents gathered to receive the charcoal.
Initially, each person was allocated one bag. However, as the crowd increased, authorities changed the arrangement and required two people to share a bag. Some residents consequently left without charcoal, while others received more than one bag.
Residents who benefited from the distribution welcomed the initiative and commended the security agencies for making the confiscated charcoal available to the community.
Colin Okello, the chairperson of Pida East Cell, said the distribution had come at an important time because children were home for holidays, which increased household demand for charcoal.
The charcoal was confiscated under the Presidential Executive Order Number 2 of 2023, which prohibits the commercial production, transportation, and sale of charcoal in northern Uganda, particularly in Acholi and West Nile sub-regions.
The distribution of charcoal followed a recent meeting between security officials and charcoal dealers at the 4th Infantry Division headquarters in Gulu. During the meeting, authorities directed that confiscated charcoal be distributed freely to members of the community.
A similar exercise was conducted last week in Nwoya District, where more than 700 bags of charcoal were distributed to residents in Anaka and Agung.
Following the meeting, 40 charcoal dealers were handed over to police detectives for questioning. They were later released on police bond as investigations into the charcoal trade continued.
Maj. Katamba Bilal, a UPDF public information officer, said security agencies would continue distributing confiscated charcoal to community members in accordance with the presidential directive.
The ongoing enforcement is part of efforts by security agencies to curb illegal charcoal trade and protect forests in northern Uganda.