In May 2023, President Yoweri Museveni issued an executive order aimed at curbing widespread deforestation and environmental degradation in Northern and Northeastern Uganda. However, the implementation of the directive has been delayed or largely absent.

Recently, law enforcement officers, including the police and the army, launched operations in districts such as Amuru, Gulu and Pakwach. The operations resulted in several arrests and the confiscation of bags of charcoal.

On 14th October, the Speaker of Parliament directed the government to suspend enforcement of the ban until a week later, following concerns raised by MPs over the government’s failure to provide affordable alternatives for rural and urban households that rely on charcoal.

One of the most vocal environmental activists who has long campaigned against tree cutting, charcoal burning, trade and use is John Robert Turyakira. He welcomed the crackdown when security agencies began enforcing the ban.

In this episode of The Grind with Patrick Kamara, Turyakira, who is also the Executive Director of the African Green Health Network (AGHNET), urges the government to provide affordable alternative energy sources for the public. He also calls on cultural leaders, citizens and other stakeholders to champion environmental sustainability, climate action and community engagement across Uganda