Charcoal dealers and roadside food vendors in Tororo District have warned that proposed government restrictions on charcoal use could threaten their livelihoods unless affordable and accessible cooking alternatives are provided. For decades, charcoal has been a major source of cooking energy for millions of Ugandans while supporting thousands of small-scale traders. Rose Were, chairperson of Tororo Charcoal Dealers, said an abrupt ban would disproportionately affect women, particularly single mothers who depend on charcoal sales for their incomes. "This is where we get money to educate our children," Were said. "Should government take up the move, many women will be out of business, especially single mothers, because this is what is keeping them going."
The concerns extend beyond dealers to roadside food vendors who rely on charcoal to roast chicken, meat and maize. Rose Anyango, a street food vendor in Tororo, questioned whether gas could effectively replace charcoal for businesses requiring continuous roasting over open heat. Florance Nyasuna, a chicken roaster, raised affordability concerns, noting that charcoal costs around 2,000 shillings while gas could significantly reduce profits. Tororo District councillor Michael Choki questioned whether the government had adequately considered the cost of refilling gas cylinders and the safety measures required for their use.
Local legislators have also raised concerns about the economic implications of the proposed restrictions. Richard Owere Machika, the Member of Parliament for West Budama North East, described the proposed restrictions as premature in areas where access to alternative energy sources remains limited. "You're not going to say you burn charcoal when there is no alternative. A rural constituency like where I represent, we do not have electricity," Machika said. Shyam Jay Tanna, the Tororo Municipality MP, questioned whether residents of the Bukedi sub-region could afford to switch to alternative cooking energy, citing what he described as a significant income gap between the region and the national average.
Some leaders have proposed alternative solutions. Nicholas Owino, the Tororo County North MP, proposed converting waste into biogas as a possible alternative. "If we can get these piles of garbage waste and make biogas, it can also produce gas. This will help us get a clean environment and also have another alternative to charcoal," Owino said. The debate highlights the challenge facing policymakers as Uganda seeks to promote cleaner cooking energy and protect the environment without worsening the economic difficulties of households and small businesses. Charcoal dealers and food vendors are calling on the government to ensure viable alternatives are within reach of ordinary Ugandans before implementing restrictions that could affect their livelihoods.