Uganda Oil Marketers Reject Hoarding Claims, Point to Middle East Tensions for Fuel Shortages

Uganda’s Sustainable Energies and Petroleum Association (SEPA-Uganda) has firmly dismissed allegations that oil marketing companies are hoarding fuel, inflating prices, or smuggling across borders amid ongoing shortages.

In a statement released on Sunday, SEPA General Manager Anthony Ogalo highlighted the sector’s adherence to strict regulatory frameworks, internal controls, and government directives. The association stressed that Uganda’s fuel supply is managed centrally by the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC).

SEPA attributes current supply constraints and isolated shortages at fuel stations to disruptions in global oil markets caused by Middle East conflicts. As a landlocked nation, Uganda faces delays in shipments to Mombasa port due to affected marine routes, leading to unscheduled docking times.

This response follows last week’s government probe into companies accused of re-exporting fuel to create artificial scarcity and the Energy Minister Ruth Nankabirwa’s earlier warning against unjustified price hikes, noting UNOC’s role as sole importer.

SEPA reaffirms its members’ commitment to ethical practices, fair pricing, and uninterrupted supply for essential services across the country.

Source: Daily Monitor