Energy ministry revokes Fuelex licence

By Edward Kayiwa

The Ministry of Energy last Thursday closed down Fuelex filling stations, following revocation of the company’s operating license on August 26.

According to Rev. Frank Tukwasibwe, the commissioner for petroleum supply, the proprietors were selling fuel whose origin was not known. All officially imported fuel bears the required markers of certification which Fuelex feul did not have.

“We warned them several times, but they refused to heed to our warnings. We do not know how they were bringing in the fuel,” Tukwasibwe said.

Dunstan Luwaga, a URA officer attached to the electronic cargo trucking system unit, told the New Vision that the fuel could have been smuggled in with help from some energy ministry and customs border officials.

He added that the Government loses a lot in taxes because such fuel does not go through the channels stipulated in the law.

The assistant commissioner for petroleum supply, John Friday, said evading taxes creates imbalances in the market as the cheating company is able to lower its retail market rate.

The officials said Fuelex refused to explain their unregulated fuel got at several stations.

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