Parliament Speaker Anita Among has urged the government to reduce taxes on Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) as a safer alternative to traditional fuels like charcoal, which are causing significant environmental damage.

Recent reports have shown alarming forest loss due to widespread charcoal burning, posing a severe threat to our environment and biodiversity.

During the plenary sitting on Thursday, Among highlighted the urgent need to address the widespread use of wood and charcoal for cooking, which she deemed an environmental disaster.

As we prepare for the next financial year's budget, she urged the government to consider tax incentives to make cooking gas more affordable and support energy-efficient cooking systems.

These measures will help mitigate the loss of trees caused by charcoal burning.

Among's call aligns with global efforts to transition to cleaner energy sources, promoting environmental preservation and protection.

Environmentalists emphasise the importance of adopting cleaner energy alternatives, such as making gas more affordable, to encourage households and businesses to move away from more polluting energy sources.

The timing of this appeal comes amid alarming climate change reports across the country, characterised by prolonged droughts.

Among reiterated her call for leaders to champion environmental conservation through initiatives like tree planting to mitigate the effects of climate change.

In response to her communication, Kitgum District Woman MP Lillian Aber noted that reducing taxes on gas would not only alleviate the financial burden on consumers but also facilitate a shift from charcoal to more sustainable energy options, an urgent need in the Acholi Sub-region.

"Lowering gas prices is a practical and effective strategy for the government to champion environmental conservation.

This will reduce charcoal burning and help protect our forest cover," she emphasised.