The Ugandan government has reassured citizens and businesses that the country’s fuel supply remains secure despite escalating tensions in the Middle East, which have sparked global concerns over potential disruptions to petroleum shipments.
In a joint statement on March 2, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development and the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) said the nation has put in place robust contingency measures to ensure uninterrupted supply of petroleum products.
The reassurance comes amid fears that instability along key international shipping routes—particularly the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas transit daily—could affect global fuel flows. For Africa, roughly 13% of imports pass through this corridor, highlighting the vulnerability of regional economies, especially in East and West Africa, which rely heavily on imported refined petroleum.
Officials emphasized that Uganda’s fuel procurement system is diversified, sourcing from multiple markets to minimize dependence on any single region. UNOC, in partnership with Vitol, is actively monitoring the situation and has mechanisms ready to reroute shipments to ensure continuous deliveries to Uganda.
“Uganda will continue to have a reliable supply of petroleum products,” the statement said, adding that scheduled cargo deliveries for March 2026 remain on track and contingency plans are in place to mitigate any potential impact from the global situation.
Energy sector analysts note that preparedness is critical for a landlocked country like Uganda, which depends on regional transport corridors from the Kenyan coast to bring petroleum inland via road and pipeline systems.
Officials urged the public, fuel dealers, and other stakeholders to remain calm and avoid panic buying, noting that stable supply is expected to keep pump prices largely steady. Fuel price stability is crucial for Uganda’s economy, affecting transportation costs, food prices, and overall inflation.
“The Government of Uganda remains committed to ensuring adequate and reliable petroleum availability nationwide, as mandated by the Petroleum Supply Act,” the statement concluded.
Authorities said they will continue monitoring developments in the Middle East and provide updates should the situation threaten Uganda’s fuel supply.
