By Jumah Kakomo
The Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) has criticised the government over its policies on charcoal use, public transport and street vending, arguing that the measures are placing additional pressure on ordinary Ugandans without providing affordable alternatives.
The criticism was made on Wednesday by party spokesperson Arach Oyat Sharon and head of media and communications Faizo Muzeyi at the party’s headquarters in Kampala.
Speaking about the government’s performance during the first 100 days after an election, Oyat said the period should be used by elected leaders to demonstrate that voters made the right choice at the ballot box.
However, she argued that some government measures had worsened the economic difficulties faced by sections of the population rather than improving their livelihoods.
Oyat cited restrictions on street vending and the removal of taxis from certain roads, saying the measures had disrupted the livelihoods of people who depend on informal trade and public transport for their income.
While acknowledging that the policies might have legitimate objectives, she questioned whether the government had put in place adequate alternatives for those affected.
She also criticised enforcement measures targeting charcoal use, particularly actions against people involved in transporting the fuel, arguing that charcoal remains an important source of cooking energy for many households, especially low-income families and rural communities.
Oyat questioned how households that rely on charcoal to prepare their daily meals would cope with restrictions if affordable and accessible alternatives were not available.
Drawing a comparison with the French Revolution, she warned against policies that fail to take account of the economic circumstances of ordinary citizens. She illustrated her argument by referring to the comparison between bread and cake, saying people who cannot afford basic necessities should not be expected to turn to more expensive alternatives.
She further argued that recommending gas or electricity as substitutes for charcoal overlooks the challenges faced by rural communities with limited access to reliable energy infrastructure.
According to Oyat, some villages lack petrol stations, while residents in remote areas may have to travel long distances to access fuel and other essential services.
Muzeyi also raised concerns about the cost and reliability of electricity, arguing that high power costs and interruptions make it difficult for some households to switch from charcoal to electricity for cooking.
He said government policies should reflect the economic realities of the majority of Ugandans, rather than the circumstances of relatively affluent urban residents.
Muzeyi added that even some households in Kampala could not afford to abandon charcoal in favour of more expensive cooking options.
He called on the government to balance environmental and other public policy objectives with the livelihoods and financial capacity of ordinary citizens. He argued that restrictions on charcoal should be accompanied by practical, affordable and accessible alternatives.
Muzeyi also recalled the UPC’s position during the previous election campaign, saying the party had warned voters that their electoral choices would affect their welfare over the following five years.
He urged Ugandans to demand accountability and improved service delivery from their leaders, arguing that citizens who pay taxes have a right to expect responsive governance.
The UPC’s criticism centres on whether government measures intended to regulate urban activities and charcoal use are being matched by affordable alternatives for the people most affected by them.
