By KT Reporter
The Government has moved to calm fears over possible fuel shortages, saying Uganda’s petroleum supply remains stable despite the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
In a joint statement issued on March 30, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development and the Uganda National Oil Company said the country’s fuel stocks and inland supply chain were still sufficient to meet short-term national demand as of March 27.
According to the statement, Uganda had about 81 million litres of petrol, 80 million litres of diesel and 18.5 million litres of Jet A-1 available for distribution. That translates into about 22 days of petrol cover, 23 days for diesel and 30 days for Jet A-1, enough to carry the country to the end of April.
The update comes as concern grows globally over the impact of the Middle East conflict on oil shipments, especially through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for crude and fuel supplies.
Officials, however, say additional deliveries are already lined up.
The Ministry, through UNOC, said confirmed vessel deliveries are expected from the end of March into April, mainly through the Port of Mombasa, with more supplies also expected through Tanzania’s ports of Tanga, Dar es Salaam and Mtwara.
The incoming volumes are projected at about 195 million litres of petrol, 155 million litres of diesel and 24 million litres of Jet A-1. Once received, those stocks would add an estimated 52 days of petrol cover, 44 days for diesel and 39 days for Jet A-1.
Government said this should reassure key sectors including transport, aviation, business and the wider public that Uganda’s fuel supply remains secure and continuous.
While maintaining that supply remains stable, the Ministry noted that it is still monitoring other factors that could affect pump prices, including foreign exchange movements and international market prices.
The statement also pushed back against what it called misleading claims circulating on social media, saying some reports on fuel supply were inaccurate and risked causing unnecessary panic.
UNOC said it would continue working closely with its supply partners to maintain continuity of petroleum imports as government seeks to shield the country from external shocks in the global oil market.
-UBC. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
