The Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Ruth Nankabirwa, has assured Ugandans that the country has secured alternative fuel import routes and diversified sourcing channels to protect the national oil supply chain amid rising global geopolitical tensions and recent volatility in pump prices in parts of the country.
Speaking during a press conference at the 11th Annual Oil and Gas Convention in Munyonyo, Nankabirwa said Uganda is better positioned than several neighbouring countries because it can access petroleum products through multiple supply corridors beyond the Middle East.
"I explained this, and I want Ugandans to understand the advantage that we have. We have alternative routes to use to make sure that supply moves smoothly. Other countries around us do not have this advantage," she said.
Her remarks come amid concerns over rising fuel prices and intermittent shortages reported in several districts, particularly border areas, following disruptions in global shipping routes and heightened tensions affecting key oil transit corridors, including the Strait of Hormuz.
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Nankabirwa noted that instability in the Middle East inevitably affects Uganda and the global fuel market because crude oil and refined petroleum prices are determined on international markets.
"It is true the war will affect us because even at the refineries, prices will rise across the whole world," she said.
She explained that disruptions in global oil transit routes have had wider regional effects, including on fuel supply chains serving East Africa, where imports are heavily dependent on maritime shipping and coordinated regional logistics systems.
Despite the global uncertainty, the minister said Uganda currently holds adequate fuel stocks supported by a forward import pipeline between May and mid-June 2026, coordinated by the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) Uganda National Oil Company.
According to the ministry, planned imports during the period include about 163 million litres of petrol, more than 200 million litres of diesel, and about 22.4 million litres of Jet A-1 fuel for aviation.
These volumes, combined with existing national reserves, are expected to provide cover of up to 67 days for petrol, 84 days for diesel, and 89 days for jet fuel, against Uganda's estimated daily consumption of about 8 million litres.
"We have started discharging cargoes flowing into the country and distribution across retail outlets is ongoing. Ugandans should start seeing some reduction in pump prices again," Nankabirwa said.
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However, she warned fuel dealers and traders in border districts against hoarding petroleum products or creating artificial shortages to profit from speculative pricing.
"We have observed increased demand in districts such as Arua, Adjumani, Kasese, Kisoro, Busia and Tororo. These are border districts and some of them recorded the highest prices because of cross-border trade and transit traffic," she said.
Nankabirwa cautioned that hoarding fuel outside regulated systems and diverting supplies across borders was distorting national demand forecasts and straining distribution networks.
"We also know that some people are storing fuel and trying to create scarcity to increase prices. We warn those involved in hoarding and illicit cross-border trade that government is monitoring the situation closely," she said.
She also criticised middlemen and opportunistic traders accused of exploiting temporary supply disruptions to raise prices unfairly.
"Some people used this uncomfortable period to seek exorbitant profits. You cannot use a crisis situation as an opportunity to exploit Ugandans," the minister said.
Nankabirwa added that reforms under the amended Petroleum Supply Act were designed to reduce middlemen, improve efficiency, and stabilise fuel availability and pricing across the country.
"The objective of the policy shift was to reduce middlemen and make fuel products more available and affordable to Ugandans," she said.
Uganda's latest fuel supply measures come as the country prepares for commercial oil production expected next year, with government emphasising energy security and stable petroleum supply systems as key pillars for economic stability.
