The government has warned fuel marketing companies against creating artificial shortages and hiking prices, insisting that Uganda has sufficient fuel to meet current demand.
Energy and Mineral Development Minister Ruth Nankabirwa said investigations by her ministry show that supply distortions are being driven by market practices rather than actual shortages.
Speaking at the 11th National Oil and Gas Convention at Speke Resort Munyonyo, Nankabirwa noted that the situation is more severe in upcountry areas than in Kampala and surrounding regions.
She explained that the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) secured current fuel stocks as early as January, when global prices were lower, and is still supplying fuel to marketers at those earlier rates.
Despite this, some companies have continued to raise pump prices, prompting the government to consider sanctions.
“Uganda currently holds adequate fuel stocks within operational thresholds, complemented by a strong forward import pipeline,” Nankabirwa said.
She revealed that by mid-April 2026, about 119 million litres of petrol had been received through the port of Mombasa, boosting national reserves.
Additional imports scheduled between mid-April and mid-June include roughly 163 million litres of petrol, over 200 million litres of diesel, and about 22.4 million litres of Jet A-1 fuel. Combined with existing stocks, this provides fuel cover of up to 67 days for petrol, 84 days for diesel, and 89 days for jet fuel, against a daily national consumption of about 8 million litres.
The minister said newly delivered fuel is already being distributed across the country and should help stabilise supply in the coming days.
However, she raised concern over illegal practices contributing to shortages. Investigations found that some fuel meant for the Ugandan market is being diverted across borders to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, particularly from towns like Arua and Kasese. In other cases, individuals are transporting fuel in jerrycans using motorcycles.
Nankabirwa warned that such activities are illegal and vowed action against fuel stations involved.
She also cautioned the public against panic buying and unsafe storage of fuel at home, stressing that there is no national fuel crisis.
Looking ahead, the minister indicated that fuel prices are likely to rise in the coming months due to global market trends. She explained that new shipments expected in May and June are being procured at higher international crude oil prices.
In addition, refining costs have surged sharply compared to earlier in the year, which will inevitably push up prices along the supply chain.
“Expect the prices between UNOC and the marketers to increase in May,” she said, adding that the government will continue engaging fuel companies to ensure pricing remains fair and aligned with global conditions.
