Government has attributed the shortage and rising fuel prices to the heavy traffic jam of trailers, including fuel tankers at the Malaba and Busia border posts following a protest by cargo drivers over Uganda’s decision to impose a US$30 charge for Covid-19 test.
A litre of fuel goes for Shs 10, 000 upcountry while Fuel pumps, especially in western Uganda are running dry.
This has sent prices of the product up.
Speaking on the situation at the border, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development Saturday morning said that “once cleared in a few days, supply and prices will rerun to normal, and there is no need for public to panic.”
According to government, supply was normal, with trucks being cleared as usual, and drivers were allowed to present negative Covid-19 results from Kenya until January 1, 2022, when a directive was issued requiring all truck drivers to undergo testing at the Malaba and Busia entry points.
“This resulted in a buildup of trucks as none were entering the country. Following the failure to maintain replenishment of stocks and where trucks had spent 10 days in the queue, the turnaround time was affected and reduced stocks for petroleum products in the country,” the statement said.
According to government, speculators hoarding petroleum products and leading to an unnecessary hike in fuel prices “are advised to desist from this bad practice.”
“The price of petrol in the country should not exceed Shs 5,000 per litre,” the ministry guided adding, “The cases of scarcity in districts such as Hoima will be addressed shortly with the ongoing replenishment. The government is doing everything possible to prioritize the handling of Petroleum Products at the borders to ensure build up in-stock levels in the country.”
