Statistics from the office of the district forest officer indicates that more than 8,400 trees are cut down for charcoal monthly more than 4000 tree Uganda losses annually.
By Moses Lokeris
Illegal tree cutting and charcoal burning are still going on in Kotido District despite a presidential decree stopping destructive charcoal production.
On May 19, 2023, President Yoweri Museveni issued an executive order No.3, banning tree cutting for commercial charcoal production in Teso, Acholi, Lango and Karamoja Sub-regions.
However, Kotido District remains one of the leading charcoal burning hubs, second after Moroto district.
Rapid deforestation as a result of Charcoal production is more pronounced in the sub counties of Kacheri, Lobanya, Panyangara, Kapeta, Longaroe, and Kotido among others.
Statistics from the office of the district forest officer indicates that more than 8,400 trees are cut down for charcoal monthly more than 4,000 tree Uganda losses annually.
Authorities say charcoal burners target indigenous trees like tamarinds, and desert date (Ekorete) among others, which are known for medicinal, food values, economic and cultural significance in the Karamoja Sub-region.
A sack of charcoal in Kotido town is sold between Shs25,000 and Shs30,000 during dry spell and Shs50,000 during rainy season where supplier dwindles as most the burners engage in agriculture.
Speaking during the 4th Annual Memorial Peace Prayer held at Kongesia village in Napumpum Sub-county on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, courtesy of Justice and Peace Department of Kotido Catholic Diocese, Charles Ichogor, the Kotido Resident District Commissioner, issued a stern warning to communities against charcoal burning.
He said that despite the President Decree, charcoal burning continued unabated with traders reportedly moving deep down in the village with trucks buying Charcoal.
Ichogor urged law enforcement authorities to increase efforts to stop the vice and called on leaders and communities to report any truck found loaded with charcoal to the authorities.
Joel Olal Okello, the Kotido district Forestry officer said that the people of Rengen, Nakapelimoru, and Losilang are the ones who have migrated to the areas of Kapeta, Nakwanamoru, and other places to cut trees for charcoal burning under the influence of people from Teso and Bugisu.
He said that less than five percent of charcoal produced is consumed internally; most of it finds its way in other parts of the country.
Although charcoal is a cheaper source of fuel, compared to other alternatives such as electricity and gas, Olal Okello said the business has had diverse impact on the forest cover and affected rainfall patterns not only in Kotido district but Karamoja as a region.
Cue 180602026 Okello on cutting Eng
Although the presidential decree has been widely hailed for protecting the dwindling forest cover, Olal Okello said its enforcement is being frustrated by high ranking officials in government who sometimes direct them to set free traders arrested for transporting charcoal in trucks.
Cue 180602026 Okello on challenges Eng
Although there are loopholes in the enforcement of the presidential decree, the security operatives have registered some success in impounding traders and trucks transporting charcoal.
Statistics obtained by our reporter indicate that since the presidential decree on large charcoal production and trade came into force in 2023, joint security forces have impounded more than 8,400 bags of charcoal, which are handed over to the National Forestry Authority for destruction.
In 2024, Kotido District council drafted its own ordinance to outlaw commercial charcoal burning, but the measure remains stalled pending clearance from the attorney general.
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