Africa-Press – Uganda. Uganda has officially commenced the blending of locally produced fuel with ethanol, a move aimed at improving fuel quality, protecting the environment, and reducing pump prices across the country.
The development was announced by Energy Minister Ruth Nankabirwa, who revealed that the blending process will be spearheaded by the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC).
According to Nankabirwa, ethanol—a renewable energy source—will be mixed with fuel as part of the government’s strategy to ensure cleaner energy, reduce harmful carbon emissions, and boost the country’s energy independence.
“This initiative is not just about improving fuel quality; it’s a significant step towards environmental protection and reducing the overall cost of fuel for Ugandans,” said Nankabirwa.
To support the rollout, the government has reduced taxes on ethanol by 5% as an incentive for production and usage. The tax reduction is expected to gradually increase to 20% in the coming years as the country scales up blending efforts.
What is Fuel Blending?
Fuel blending is the process of mixing traditional fossil fuels like petrol or diesel with renewable additives, such as ethanol or biodiesel, to enhance fuel quality, reduce harmful emissions, and promote energy efficiency.
Ethanol, commonly produced from crops like sugarcane, maize, or cassava, is one of the most widely used blending agents due to its ability to burn cleaner than pure fossil fuels.
Blended fuel is already in use in several countries including Brazil, the United States, and parts of Europe, where ethanol-blended petrol (commonly known as E10 or E15, containing 10% or 15% ethanol respectively) is sold at fuel stations.
In real life, blended fuel powers vehicles, motorcycles, and machinery while contributing to environmental protection by lowering carbon emissions and reducing dependency on imported petroleum products.
Experts say ethanol-blended fuel burns cleaner, significantly cutting greenhouse gas emissions, which aligns with Uganda’s commitments to environmental sustainability.
The move is also projected to ease fuel prices by reducing dependency on fully imported petroleum products, as part of Uganda’s broader energy security agenda.
UNOC is expected to oversee the blending process to ensure standards are met and the benefits of the programme are realised nationwide.
The initiative comes as Uganda prepares for full-scale oil production in the near future.
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