I am monitoring pump prices for petrol, diesel — energy minister Nankabirwa

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Energy minister Ruth Nankabirwa has said she is monitoring the pump prices for petrol and diesel, which have risen as a result of a surge in wholesale oil prices following the outbreak of the war involving the US, Israel, and Iran.

“I’m monitoring the pump prices, and we shall tell you (the media) next week [the way forward],” she told New Vision on Thursday (March 26).

The minister noted that “many consumers have complained about TotalEnergies and Vivo Energy”, which distributes and markets Shell-branded fuels and lubricants in Uganda.

She urged the two largest retailers to heed her communication not to increase the pump prices.

Nankabirwa noted that the Uganda National Oil Company Limited (UNOC), being the sole oil importer, will be able to tell the country where prices have escalated internationally.

“When UNOC tells us where prices have escalated internationally, we will have no choice but also to inform you to bear with us because no company would like to perform at a loss. Currently, in March, there must be no reason why somebody can really escalate pump prices because of the conflict in the Middle East,” she said.

“We will intensify our engagement with the oil marketing companies to answer whatever questions that they have.”

A litre of petrol is currently being sold at sh5,280, up from sh5,050, while diesel costs sh5,200, up from sh4,800 at several fuel stations in Kampala.

Iran sent shock waves across the world by effectively closing the channel after the US and Israel began launching strikes on it on February 28, 2026.

About 20% of global oil and gas flows through this waterway, which is between Iran and the northernmost tip of Oman, linking the Persian Gulf with the Arabian Sea.