Traders in Tororo District, Uganda, are resisting planned limits on charcoal consumption. Nile Post reported that these sellers fear their earnings will drop if the state enforces the new rules without offering cheaper substitutes. The fuel has long served as a primary heat source for cooking across the country, sustaining numerous small-scale enterprises. In this specific region, the industry allows families to cover educational costs and daily living expenses.
Rose Were, who leads the local dealers' group, noted that single mothers would suffer the most from a sudden shift. Nile Post indicated that Were believes these women rely heavily on charcoal income to keep their operations running. She suggested that without workable replacements, a large portion of female traders might lose their jobs.
Street vendors also expressed doubts about switching to gas cylinders. Rose Anyango, a vendor in Tororo, questioned the practicality of using gas for continuous roasting of meats and maize. Nile Post recorded her view that the transition might be difficult for such open-heat businesses. Other sellers, like Florance Nyasuna, pointed to price differences, noting that charcoal is significantly cheaper than the expected expense of gas refills.
Local politicians joined the discussion, questioning the timing of the policy. Richard Owere Machika, representing West Budama North East, called the initiative premature for areas lacking electricity. Nile Post noted that Machika argued rural residents cannot simply stop using charcoal when other power options are scarce. Shyam Jay Tanna, the MP for Tororo Municipality, highlighted the low income levels in the Bukedi sub-region. He used local economic figures to suggest that residents might struggle to afford new energy sources compared to the national average.
Nicholas Owino, MP for Tororo County North, offered a different solution. Nile Post reported that Owino proposed turning local waste into biogas. He suggested this method could clean up the environment while creating an alternative fuel source for households. The central issue remains whether the government can make these replacements practical and affordable for ordinary residents before finalizing the restrictions.