Fresh fuel shipments set to boost Uganda’s supply in April

As global oil routes face disruption, Uganda is preparing for a significant boost in fuel supplies that could extend its energy security.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Energy and the Uganda National Oil Company, new shipments are already scheduled to arrive from the end of March and into April, reinforcing a supply chain that officials describe as both “secure” and “resilient.”

The deliveries, expected mainly through Kenya’s Mombasa port and supplemented by routes via Tanzania, will bring in substantial volumes: about 195 million litres of petrol, 155 million litres of diesel, and 24 million litres of Jet A-1 fuel.

This means that the incoming supplies could add nearly two more months of petrol coverage and several weeks of diesel and aviation fuel, which will significantly ease pressure on the country’s reserves.

The government sees this as more than just routine replenishment. It is a strategic buffer against global uncertainty.

“The guaranteed supply is facilitated by the strong presence of UNOC’s supply partner in alternative supply sources… away from the currently troubled Middle East,” the statement said, underscoring efforts to diversify sourcing.

Multiple entry points—Tanga, Dar es Salaam, and Mtwara—are also being used to strengthen the system, reducing reliance on any single route.

For businesses, transport operators, and the aviation sector, the reassurance is significant. Fuel is not just a commodity; it is the backbone of economic activity. Any disruption can ripple across sectors, affecting prices, mobility, and productivity.

Officials insist that, despite global tensions, Uganda’s supply will remain “secure, stable, and continuous.”

Still, they acknowledge that global market forces cannot be ignored. Exchange rates and international price movements could yet shape what consumers pay at the pump.