By KT Reporter
Police have launched a special intelligence-led investigation into the alleged diversion and black-market sale of free Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) starter kits, a flagship government programme meant to promote clean cooking and curb deforestation.
The move follows growing public outcry and a September 16th report by URN that exposed claims of widespread irregularities in the distribution exercise. Citizens accused officials of hijacking the initiative, designed to help one million households transition from charcoal and firewood, and reselling the kits for profit.
Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango confirmed that an intelligence team has been deployed to trace stolen kits and bring perpetrators to book. “When goods and services procured through public funds are diverted for personal gain, that constitutes embezzlement, corruption, and abuse of office,” Onyango said. “Those implicated, including Ministry of Energy officials, will be arrested and held accountable.”
He cited provisions under the Anti-Corruption Act, 2009, which defines corruption broadly (Section 2) and specifically criminalises embezzlement by public servants (Section 19). The Penal Code Act also penalises embezzlement (Section 269) and neglect of duty (Section 101), while the Leadership Code Act, 2002, prohibits public officials from soliciting or accepting bribes.
Launched in July 2022, the free LPG programme was introduced by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development to encourage the shift from biomass to cleaner fuels. Beneficiaries were promised a 13kg gas cylinder, burner, regulator, and hose, valued at about UGX 400,000, fully subsidized by the government. Households are required to pay only UGX 100,000 for refills.
At the launch in Busabala, Wakiso District, the government partnered with Shell, Vivo Energy, Stabex International, and TotalEnergies to ensure distribution and refilling. Energy Ministry Permanent Secretary Irene Batebe illustrated that the initiative directly supports Uganda’s Energy Policy and the Energy Transition framework, which targets 10% LPG adoption by 2025 and net-zero emissions by 2065.
However, many households complain they never received the promised kits despite registering. URN spot-checks in Kampala suburbs found government-branded cylinders openly on sale in private outlets, drawing comparisons with past scandals involving diverted medicines and mosquito nets. “This is outright theft,” one resident said. “The poor are being robbed of what was meant for them.”
By June 2025, the rollout had reached rural hotspots, including a pilot in Kumi District where 500 kits were disbursed, with plans to expand to underserved regions such as Karamoja, Busoga, Bugisu, and West Nile over five years.
The Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Dr. Ruth Nakabirwa, has defended the programme’s intent, saying it prioritises low-income households who remain heavily reliant on firewood and charcoal, which power 85% of Ugandan homes. But she admitted that demand far outstrips supply, urging wealthier families to purchase kits independently.
Despite these assurances, reports of mismanagement, siphoning, and resale of kits have raised fears about weak oversight, poor tracking, and corruption within the distribution chain. Critics warn that, unless addressed, such practices could derail Uganda’s clean energy transition and compromise safety, with allegations also surfacing about under-filled and unsafe cylinders.
The scandal has not only angered intended beneficiaries but also cast a shadow over Uganda’s green energy ambitions. If investigations are pursued rigorously, police say, the probe could restore faith in public accountability. But if mishandled, it risks becoming another example of systemic corruption undermining flagship programmes.
-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
