Ugandan musician Eddy Kenzo has defended his wife, Minister Phiona Nyamutoro, amid criticism over the government’s proposed ban on charcoal use in northern Uganda, arguing that alternative cooking fuels such as gas could offer households a more convenient option.
Kenzo said charcoal production and use involve several challenges, from cutting down trees and burning wood to transporting, purchasing and handling the finished product.
According to the singer, these difficulties make charcoal an undesirable option when more convenient and cleaner alternatives can be made available to households.
“No one wishes to use charcoal. From the cutting of trees, they are tiring to cut, burning the charcoal isn’t easy either, buying sacks and moving them, all this isn’t easy and they make you dirty, so if we get a better option, it’d be better,” Kenzo said.
The musician also urged the government to promote gas as an alternative cooking fuel, arguing that reducing dependence on charcoal could help address concerns about deforestation and the effects of smoke on people’s lungs.
Kenzo questioned why calls for alternative energy sources should attract criticism, saying that embracing new approaches was part of the country’s development process.
“We talk about all this and when we advocate for a better solution, is that something bad? All countries aren’t using charcoal. If we want to take our country to the next level, there are conversations we have to start even if some people don’t want to hear them,” he added.
The proposed charcoal ban has sparked debate over how best to reduce reliance on charcoal while taking into account the needs of households that depend on it for cooking.
Although Kenzo supports a shift towards gas, the transition would depend on whether alternative fuels, cooking equipment and refills are affordable and accessible to affected communities.
His comments add a celebrity voice to the wider discussion about environmental protection, household energy costs and the practical challenges of changing cooking habits in northern Uganda.
Eddy Kenzo is back once again on the issue of charcoal sellers, listen to what he has to say. https://t.co/aBRYK6Um5h
— Kirya Ug 🇺🇬 (@kirya_ug) October 21, 2026
