Geoffrey Kamali
6 January 2003
Kampala — FUEL prices in Kampala shot up for the second time in less than one week yesterday, indicating an escalation in oil shortages.
A number of fuel outlets in Kampala had by last evening increased pump prices by sh50 on oil products. Others were expected to increase theirs by this morning.
Petrol prices rose from sh1,530 to s1,580, diesel from sh1,280 to sh1,330 and paraffin from sh1,140 to sh1,190 per litre.
A number of petrol stations, notably belonging to Shell, Total and Caltex, in various locations in the city centre and its suburbs, said they had run out of petrol and sent motorists away.
"All we have is diesel. There is no petrol until tomorrow. Beginning tomorrow morning, our prices will have changed across the board," said a female attendant at Shell Jinja Road petrol station.
Some motorists, however, accused oil companies of hoarding fuel in order to hike the prices. There was no reaction from the government.
The reporter failed to get a comment from the fuel companies.
Shell and Caltex outlets in Ntinda, Najjanankumbi and Makindye, all suburbs of Kampala, also reported petrol shortages.
Peter Bukenya, a manager with Total Jinja Road, said he had received instructions to raise the prices, starting this morning, from the company's Kampala head office.
A number of stations, including Petro Uganda and Kobil, however, said they would not increase their pump prices, adding that they still had ample supplies.
"There is no need to increase. We have enough stocks. Besides, we are new, increasing prices will scare away our customers. We have no intention of increasing prices," said Patrick Mwayi, the Kobil Bombo Road manager.
Pump prices first shot up on New Year's Eve following a shortage in supplies from Kenya caused by a technical fault on the oil pipeline from Mombasa to Eldoret and Kisumu.
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