Some of the impounded charcoal in Nwoya District.
The distribution is part of the security crackdown launched after the 4th Division commander ordered the suspension of charcoal transportation through Uganda.
By Willy Chowoo
Nwoya, August 14, 2026—The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) 4th Infantry Division has distributed over 800 bags of charcoal impounded from illegal dealers to communities in Nwoya District, two days after the division commander ordered an immediate crackdown on the cross-border charcoal trade.
The charcoal was distributed to residents of Anaka Town Council and Agung village in Purongo Sub-county during an exercise led by 4th Division Commander, Maj. Gen. Felix Busizoori, on Thursday.
The distribution follows Busizoori’s directive on August 11 to stop the transportation of charcoal through Uganda and to impound trucks found violating the order.
At the time, Busizoori said impounded charcoal would be given to communities affected by environmental degradation and food insecurity rather than auctioned.
The commander said the latest distribution was intended to benefit communities whose livelihoods and surroundings have been affected by deforestation associated with illegal charcoal burning.
“You are receiving this charcoal because your livelihoods and surroundings have been severely impacted by deforestation driven by illegal dealers,” Busizoori told the beneficiaries.
He urged residents to take greater responsibility for protecting forests and other natural ecosystems, saying communities have an important role to play in combating illegal logging and charcoal burning.
Busizoori also called on residents to provide security agencies with timely information about people involved in illegal logging and charcoal production in their areas.
The distribution is part of the security crackdown launched after the 4th Division commander ordered the suspension of charcoal transportation through Uganda.
During a meeting with charcoal dealers in Gulu on August 11, Busizoori ordered police to investigate traders accused of defying the presidential directive banning charcoal business in northern Uganda.
He also directed investigations into government officials and security personnel suspected of facilitating the illegal trade.
The commander specifically called for investigations involving the National Forestry Authority, police, UPDF, and other agencies involved in regulating charcoal and forest products.
The owners of the impounded charcoal were handed over to the Nwoya District Police Commander for prosecution.
The exercise brought together local government leaders, UPDF officers, Uganda Police Force personnel, and officials from the Internal Security Organisation (ISO).
The development marks a shift in the handling of impounded charcoal, with the UPDF seeking to turn confiscated charcoal into direct support for communities affected by the environmental consequences of the trade.
It also signals the implementation of Busizoori’s August 11 directive that charcoal seized from illegal dealers should be distributed to communities rather than auctioned.
