NEMA Vows to Arrest and Prosecute Illegal Commercial Charcoal Dealers in Uganda;

The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has instructed law enforcement agencies to take strict action against unauthorized commercial charcoal dealers throughout Uganda.

According to NEMA, no environmental impact assessment report has been given to any commercial charcoal dealer. This move comes as Uganda faces a growing problem of illegal commercial charcoal production, which is leading to deforestation, particularly in the north of the country.

Dr. Barirega Akankwasah, the Executive Director of NEMA, has called on the police, local government, and other enforcement agencies to take immediate action to curb this harmful practice. “The Uganda Police, District Local Governments, NFA and all other Law enforcement agencies are requested to apprehend for prosecution anybody found engaging in commercial charcoal production without ESIA Certificate by NEMA,” he said.

Dr. Akankwasah warned that unregulated commercial charcoal production is causing serious harm to Uganda's forests, leading to deforestation, air pollution, and land degradation. These environmental impacts can exacerbate the effects of climate change, increase respiratory diseases, and reduce land productivity, with far-reaching consequences for the economy and people's well-being.

According to Schedule 5 of the National Environment Act, No. 5 of 2019, commercial charcoal production is classified as an activity that necessitates an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA). Starting such an activity without obtaining a certificate of approval from NEMA is a violation of Section 157 of the Act.

Under the National Environment Act, an individual found guilty of violating Section 157 by engaging in commercial charcoal production without obtaining a certificate of approval from NEMA can be fined up to Shs2 billion, imprisoned for up to fifteen years, or both. For a corporate body, the fine can be up to Shs10 billion. Dr. Akankwasah emphasized that NEMA has not issued any ESIA certificate for any commercial charcoal production, and therefore all such production activities throughout the country are illegal.