The Uganda Police Force has clarified that the ongoing crackdown on charcoal production and trade does not amount to a nationwide ban, but rather an enforcement of presidential restrictions targeting specific regions, including Northern Uganda.
Police spokesperson ACP Kituuma Rusoke said the operation is intended to ensure compliance with existing directives in areas where charcoal production, transportation and trade have been restricted. He explained that the enforcement measures should not be interpreted as a blanket prohibition affecting every part of the country.
The clarification follows growing public concern over earlier remarks by Rusoke warning charcoal transporters that they risk arrest and the impoundment of their vehicles if found violating the restrictions. His statements sparked questions about whether the government had introduced a nationwide ban on charcoal-related activities.
Speaking to journalists at Police Headquarters in Naguru, Kampala, Rusoke explained that his earlier communication had been misunderstood, leading some people to believe that charcoal production and trade had been prohibited across Uganda.
He emphasised that the police warnings were specifically intended for individuals operating in areas covered by the presidential directive. This means that enforcement actions are guided by the geographical scope of the restrictions rather than a general prohibition applicable to all charcoal traders and producers nationwide.
The police clarification provides relief to charcoal dealers and transporters operating outside the affected regions, although those working in restricted areas remain subject to enforcement measures. Traders are expected to understand the applicable regulations and ensure that their activities comply with the existing directives.
Charcoal production and trade have remained important economic activities for many Ugandans, providing income for producers, transporters, wholesalers and retailers. However, restrictions on the industry are also linked to concerns about environmental protection, particularly the destruction of trees and the effects of charcoal burning on forest resources.
The latest clarification underscores the importance of understanding the specific areas covered by government directives before drawing conclusions about their national application. Police have maintained that the crackdown is aimed at enforcing the existing restrictions in designated regions, not imposing a blanket nationwide ban on charcoal production and trade.
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