TAKEAWAYS

• Eddy Kenzo backed Uganda’s plan to ditch charcoal, pushing for cleaner and cheaper cooking alternatives.
• The star suggested turning trash into fuel and urged citizens to stop letting politicians hijack the debate.
• While admitting the nation lacks resources right now, Kenzo insisted that vital talks must start immediately.

Musician Eddy Kenzo has voiced his support for the government of Uganda’s move to ban charcoal use, calling for the exploration of alternative cooking methods that are safer, healthier and potentially more affordable.

Speaking about the initiative, Kenzo argued that charcoal-related businesses could be transformed by introducing alternative products that serve the same purpose without the associated dirt and inconvenience.

“A person who sells charcoal is always dirty,” he said, suggesting that such traders could be given other merchandise to sell that works just like charcoal but does not leave them dirty.

Kenzo also questioned why discussions about finding alternative cooking solutions had not gained more attention, urging Ugandans to engage the government on the matter.

He wondered why the issue had to be politicised instead of focusing on practical solutions that could benefit the public.

“Why must everything be politicized? Are there no other options that are healthier and even more affordable?” he asked.

The musician further suggested that charcoal could potentially be produced from rubbish, which he said people often throw away instead of exploring ways to make use of it.

However, Kenzo acknowledged that introducing alternative cooking solutions might be premature given the resources the country currently has. Despite this, he believes conversations about possible alternatives should begin now to pave the way for future progress.

He argued that waiting until the country has all the necessary resources could delay the development of solutions that might eventually become possible.

“Some conversations have to happen until God blesses us and we reach to that point,” he said, adding that if such discussions never take place, the country may never achieve the desired change.