Uganda’s leadership likes being pushed to do things without being mindful of the well-being of its people.
I remember when the Public Order Management Act was passed. Everyone thought it would only target opposition leaders, but eventually, it even extended to ruling NRM party members.
This is another blunder happening in the country, whereby the government just wakes up and announces a ban on the use of charcoal. I am a serious NRM supporter, but I don’t support this charcoal ban, and if the government’s advisors do not play their role in advising the government on this, this would be the end of the NRM era.
Before we ban the use of charcoal, what alternative do we have in place for the common man who only survives on the charcoal business? I am sure all this didn’t just happen out of nowhere, but there could be a hidden deal brought by gas companies so that Ugandans would be forced to buy their products, but it won’t work.
Before we rush to ban the charcoal trade, have we stopped investors who have set up big factories in the wetlands? Who are the people in Mabira Forest?
This ban is likely to cause serious riots, and it will involve a large number of Ugandans, including students who use charcoal daily.
I want to appeal to our badman, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to intervene before it’s too late. Gen. Muhoozi is a man who is so mindful of the well-being of Ugandans.
The writer is a veteran journalist.
