The Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Ruth Nankabirwa, has cautioned oil marketing companies against increasing fuel pump prices, insisting that current supply conditions do not warrant any escalation.
Addressing the media earlier this week, Nankabirwa acknowledged that ongoing conflicts in the Middle East have caused disruptions in global fuel markets.
However, she emphasized that the government, under the guidance of President Yoweri Museveni, took early and deliberate steps to secure reliable supply chains to shield the country from volatility.
She said Uganda’s fuel reserves remain stable, with sufficient stocks of petrol, diesel and Jet A-1 to sustain the country for approximately a month, while additional shipments are already scheduled for April from international suppliers.
“Currently in March there must be no reason why someone can escalate pump prices because of the conflict in the Middle East,” she alluded.
The minister reassured consumers that the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC), now the sole importer of petroleum products, is strategically managing supply to ensure continuity and price stability.
“So our esteemed consumers should be really comforted that Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) is planning strategically to make sure that the country is kept wet and a caution to them not to really use this opportunity to escalate pump prices because as we monitor the international prices we shall be coming in to tell,” she said.
According to the ministry, Uganda is expecting significant fuel inflows, including about 283 million litres of petrol, 183 million litres of diesel and 25 million litres of Jet A-1.
These volumes are projected to sustain the country for nearly two months.
Nankabirwa noted that while UNOC will continue to monitor international price movements, it will also engage stakeholders across the supply chain to ensure that oil marketing companies operate sustainably without incurring losses.
Her remarks come amid heightened global uncertainty in energy markets, with many countries experiencing price pressures linked to geopolitical tensions.
Uganda’s centralized fuel importation system, introduced to streamline procurement and stabilize supply, is increasingly being tested as authorities balance market realities with consumer protection.
