Ronald Balimwezo Nsubuga, the Kampala Lord Mayor, has urged the government to reduce electricity tariffs before implementing policies to phase out charcoal use. He argued that households, businesses and industries need access to affordable and reliable power to make the switch to cleaner energy alternatives. Without lower costs, high electricity expenses could prevent people and companies from abandoning traditional fuels, he said on Thursday.
Balimwezo highlighted a central tension in Uganda's energy transition: the need to promote environmental goals while ensuring that consumers and businesses can afford the shift. For households already struggling with energy bills, expensive electricity makes it difficult to reduce reliance on charcoal. Similarly, industries need cheaper and more dependable power to maintain production costs and stay competitive.
The mayor said that cutting tariffs should be part of a broader strategy to make cleaner energy accessible before any restrictions on coal use are put in place. However, he acknowledged that lower tariffs would need to be paired with measures to guarantee reliable electricity supply and expand access to cleaner energy sources.
Balimwezo's comments highlight the challenge facing Uganda's government as it balances environmental objectives with the need to support economic activity and protect consumers from high energy costs.