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Fuel prices in Uganda are reaching record highs, with motorists in Moroto, Karamoja reporting pump prices as steep as Shs 20,000 per litre. The spike has triggered long queues at stations in Mbarara, while some outlets in Kampala are running dry. The situation is even bleaker in upcountry regions like West Nile and Karamoja, where scarcity is biting hard. In Kampala, however, pump prices on Friday were at between Shs 5,400 to 5,800.
Officials attribute the shortages in border regions such as West Nile and Busia to cross-border fuel buyers from neighboring countries, which is driving up local demand and inflating prices.
Despite the chaos at the pumps, Uganda’s Minister of Energy, Ruth Nankabirwa, has called for calm. She insists that Uganda’s fuel supply remains stable and secure, and that additional deliveries are en route to reinforce nationwide stocks.
“We confirm sufficient fuel stocks, with additional deliveries on the way to further strengthen nationwide supply,” Nankabirwa assured. She also issued a stern warning to Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) against exploiting the situation to create artificial shortages or manipulate prices.
“There is no justification for such price hikes given the current supply from our supplier Vitol,” Nankabirwa emphasized, urging operators not to extort Ugandans during this period of global volatility.
As investigations continue and government efforts ramp up, motorists and businesses across the country wait anxiously for relief at the pump.
