Andrew Nkurunziza
9 January 2008
As other countries welcomed the New Year with excitement, Uganda was unfortunate enough to welcome it with an acute fuel shortage which at first was thought to be a day or two crisis but now seems to be here to stay.
It has been long since the country last went through such an occurrence and its no wonder the masses were caught unaware and hence their panicky reaction.
Apart from the long queues for the now scarce commodity, there are more long term impacts this crisis is having and is going to have on the daily running of the economy and the country as a whole. For example, at the rate of agitation and panic the masses are being subjected to, breakdown of law and order is likely to escalate and get out of hand.
The police which is meant to keep law and order with the help of their rapid response vehicles, are likely to have their hands tied since they too have to run on fuel to respond to such emergencies, more so tear gas and water cannon vehicles meant to disperse the crowds too will likely get grounded with time giving way to uncontrollable mob violence.
We are lucky that diesel is still available and that's why most food stuffs are still in markets and in supermarkets. More so that's why transport fares though slightly higher than usual are still affordable. But if nothing is done, diesel reserves too will dwindle and this might bring transport to a complete halt.
Emergency vehicles like ambulances too use fuel and in such times of scarcity since sickness is not programmed, people are likely to lose their lives due to the lack of immediate response to their pleas for help. Essential supplies like medicines which are imported will stop coming in due also to the lack of means to get them into the country meaning that a disaster at the end of the day will be inevitable.
A good number of people depend on the transport business for their livelihoods that is both those who work within the transport industry and those who use the industry for the survival of their businesses.
Once this crumbles due to fuel scarcity for example if buses can no longer ply their routes into and from the country, we might have to remain in a temporary blackout. Boda boda and taxi touts will also suffer the fate of being pushed out of business for the same reason.
Lessons
One of the lessons learned is that Uganda should stop depending on a single inlet as the transit channel for such an vital commodity into the country. Today the crisis is due to post election violence in Kenya. But tomorrow it might be because of a diplomatic misunderstanding, so will we allow to be held at ransom each time this happens? Alternative import entry points like Tanzania or use of Lake Victoria should be explored.
This crisis clearly showed how much we need fuel reserves and why strict access and use of the reserves should be adhered to. There are reports that most of the fuel in the reserves was used during Chogm, now that Chogm has come and gone, look at us.
In this time of scarcity, where the fuel is available, rationing which is the fair distribution of a commodity irrespective of one's financial capacity should be applied at gas stations. What is taking place now is few people take a lot of fuel because they have the money and the many such as motorcyclists are left to suffer.
There's need to put an end to hoarding which is now being done at almost all fuel stations. Government should come in protect the plight of the consumers.
Consistent update of the public about the situation and how it's being handled by the authorities will serve to keep the masses calm.
This occurrence should be a reminder to show us how we use fuel recklessly on unnecessary trips. Time to adopt green modes of transport like walking or cycling for shorter distances instead of driving. The sooner we realise that we are a landlocked country which does not produce fuel of her own the better, otherwise let's hang in there, no condition in life is permanent.
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