Tom Rukundo, the National Forests director at National Forestry Authority (NFA), says the NFA is set to embark on the implementation of the presidential directive this week banning the charcoal business. Which he says will definitely hike prices around Kampala.
Rukundo made this statement over the weekend while officiating at the Uganda Baati annual environmental conservation campaign competition, code-named “Safal Eye in the Wild Photography Competition,” which aims to use the power of photography to promote environmental conservation.
“This week, the NFA is set to enforce the presidential directive of banning charcoal businesses, making it difficult for the transportation of charcoal from Northern Uganda to Kampala,” Rukondo said.
He added that this is likely to further raise the cost of charcoal; where a sack currently stands at Ug. shs 100,000 – 120,000 , it will definitely shoot up.
The presidential directive was issued by President Museveni on May 24, 2023, where he addressed issues among others damage to the environment by charcoal businesses. And it is yet to have any tangible impact.