To combat commercial charcoal burning, the government has been asked to increase the use of gas and electricity in residences.
President Yoweri Museveni signed Executive Order No. 3 in May of this year, which prohibited, among other things, the manufacturing and trade of charcoal in northern Uganda. The action was taken to safeguard the environment.
The only way to make the fight against charcoal burning sustainable, according to Tekwaro Lango paramount chief Eng. Michael Odongo Okune, is to reduce the cost of gas and electricity so that it is accessible to locals who rely on charcoal and firewood.
Without that, according to Odongo, efforts to reduce the trade in charcoal will be ineffective and environmental degradation will continue to be a major issue forever.
In order to successfully lower the pace of tree cutting for charcoal and firewood, he says, “I’m urging the Government to ensure that the cost of electricity, gas, and gas cylinders is reduced so that even the most rural poor can afford it.”
He has also encouraged Umeme, a supplier of electricity, to increase the reliability of electricity by preventing unneeded power outages.
According to Odongo, “Power blackouts can last three straight days when you’re in Lango, making electricity an unreliable source of energy for our rural population.”
When Peter Alol was being sworn in as the Bako Otara Clan Chief (Awitong), the supreme chief, who was also the primary guest, made the call. Adagawea Village, Aler Parish, Ogur sub-county, in the Lira district, hosted the event on Saturday.
