Africa-Press – Uganda. Uganda’s Minister for Energy and Mineral Development, Ruth Nankabirwa, has assured the country of stable fuel supplies, announcing that authorities have secured enough stock to last more than 50 days.
Nankabirwa said 119 million litres of fuel arrived at the port of Mombasa, Kenya, on Wednesday night, with additional consignments expected through Tanzania to reinforce national reserves.
“We will have stock to take us for more than 50 days,” she said.
The minister, however, issued a stern warning to oil marketing companies accused of diverting Uganda-bound fuel to neighbouring Kenya amid rising regional demand.
She said government is aware that some companies have been “sharing Uganda products with their brothers in Kenya,” and pledged to present a detailed report to Parliament addressing the issue.
Nankabirwa made the remarks during the national performance review conference on Uganda’s development agenda held in Munyonyo.
Her assurance comes at a time when fuel prices across East Africa have risen sharply, driven by global supply disruptions and sustained crude oil prices above 100 dollars per barrel.
Across the region, pump prices have continued to climb. In Kenya, petrol averages about Shs5,871 per litre, with diesel at similar levels.
Uganda remains slightly lower, with petrol averaging around Shs5,244 and diesel about Shs5,085, although some parts of Kampala have recorded prices closer to Shs5,600.
Rwanda and Tanzania have also registered elevated prices, with petrol averaging about Shs5,814 and Shs5,415 respectively, while diesel prices remain similarly high. Ethiopia and Burundi continue to post relatively lower prices.
The surge has been linked to global supply shocks, particularly geopolitical tensions in the Middle East that have disrupted production and key shipping routes such as the Strait of Hormuz.
Higher freight and insurance costs have further increased import expenses for landlocked countries like Uganda.
Despite these pressures, Uganda’s fuel prices have remained comparatively moderate, partly due to reforms in the importation system.
Under the Petroleum Supply (Amendment) Act, 2023, the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) was given sole responsibility for fuel imports, reducing reliance on Kenyan intermediaries and cutting additional costs associated with middlemen.
UNOC recently confirmed that the 119 million-litre shipment through Mombasa would strengthen national reserves and ensure continued availability across the country.
The pricing gap within the region is also influenced by taxation policies. Kenya applies higher taxes, including a 16 percent Value Added Tax and multiple levies, while Uganda’s relatively lower tax regime has helped cushion consumers.
In Rwanda, prices are tightly regulated by government, with periodic interventions to stabilise the market during global spikes.
The impact of rising fuel costs is already being felt across the region. In Kenya, matatu operators have announced a 25 percent increase in fares, citing unsustainable operating costs as fuel prices approach Shs5,900 per litre in Nairobi.
Analysts warn that continued volatility in global oil markets is likely to keep pressure on transport and household costs, even as governments move to secure supplies and stabilise domestic markets.
For More News And Analysis About Uganda Follow Africa-Press
