UNDP supports drafting of laws on charcoal usage

Godfred Okumu

The ministry of energy and mineral development with support from the United Nations Development program (UNDP) in Uganda is sourcing for the services of a legal consultancy firm to develop ordinances to regulate charcoal usage in selected districts in Uganda.

Despite massive destruction of forests to produce charcoal in Arua, the district has no related ordinance.

The selected pilot districts are Nakaseke, Kiboga, Mubende and Kiryandongo.

Over 80% of the entire population in Uganda depends on biomas as the main source of energy for cooking.

Recent estimates indicate that the demand for charcoal has been increasing steadily at an estimated 6% per annum. This increased pressure on the production system especially on biomass harvested.

The project "Addressing Barriers to Adoption of Improved Charcoal Production Technologies and Sustainable Land Practices through an Integrated Approach" is hoped to improve institutional arrangements, coordination and enforcement of regulations governing the production and utilization of biomass energy at district local governments.

The district Health inspector on environment, Arua Manase Anziku, says there are so many good laws but enforcement has been the biggest challenge.

He said Arua district is in the process of enacting its own ordinance.

According to Yasin Akbar Nasim a charcoal dealer in Arua town describes the coming into force of the regulations' as a bad move.

He argues that the laws will bar them from dealing in charcoal which is the only way of raising school fees for their children.

Two years ago, Arua district banned illegal cutting of trees and charcoal trade following the enactment of the