• Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Donate
  • Login
Watchdog Uganda
  • Home
  • News
    • National
    • Politics
    • World News
    • Media Outreach Newswire
    • Africa News
    • Tourism
    • Community News
    • Luganda
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Motorsport
  • Op-Ed
    • #Out2Lunch
    • Conversations with
    • Politics
    • Relationships
  • Business
    • Agriculture
    • CEOs & Entrepreneurs,
    • Companies
    • Finance
    • Products
    • RealEstate
    • Technology
  • Entertainment
    • Lifestyle
  • People
    • Showbiz
      • Salon Mag
  • Special Report
    • Education
    • Voices
  • Reviews
    • Products
    • Events
    • Hotels
    • Restaurants
    • Places
  • WD-TV
  • Donate
  • China News
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • National
    • Politics
    • World News
    • Media Outreach Newswire
    • Africa News
    • Tourism
    • Community News
    • Luganda
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Motorsport
  • Op-Ed
    • #Out2Lunch
    • Conversations with
    • Politics
    • Relationships
  • Business
    • Agriculture
    • CEOs & Entrepreneurs,
    • Companies
    • Finance
    • Products
    • RealEstate
    • Technology
  • Entertainment
    • Lifestyle
  • People
    • Showbiz
      • Salon Mag
  • Special Report
    • Education
    • Voices
  • Reviews
    • Products
    • Events
    • Hotels
    • Restaurants
    • Places
  • WD-TV
  • Donate
  • China News
No Result
View All Result
Watchdog Uganda
No Result
View All Result

Government defends fuel distributors amid soaring prices

Mourice Muhoozi by Mourice Muhoozi
4 years ago
in Business, News
2 0
ShareTweetSendShare

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development has come out to shield fuel distribution companies in Uganda, against extortion and over charge claims by motorists.

In recent days, fuel prices in Uganda have sky-rocketed to alarming levels, forcing motorists in some cases to buy from neighbouring Kenya.

The rates have increased by more than 500 shillings per litre, with petrol seeing the highest increases, to sell at 4,600 shillings a litre, while that of diesel is now at Shs. 4230.

The ministry says that it largely believes fuel products distributors are operating within acceptable margins, and attributed the escalating consumer prices to an increase in global crude oil prices.

Note has to be taken that global crude oil prices have risen in the past two years, with a barrel rising by USD.80.

Covid-19 restrictions in early 2020 climaxed into economic recessions in some countries, leading to the reduction in crude oil demand. This caused shortages in countries like the UK. It is now believed that the same effects have engulfed Uganda as well.

The recent re-opening of economies has exarcarbated demand from world tiger economies like China, Malysia, Indonesia, in order to feed their manufacturing industries, causing scarcity in third world states.

It is this scarcity that has graduated into soaring fuel prices in third world states, most especially in East Africa, and Uganda has been no exception. However, motorists have blamed suppliers for this stampede.

The energy ministry strongly defended fuel suppliers by contending that petroleum prices in Uganda are still within the reserve prices set by government.

The ministry also clarified that there is no irrevocable evidence, to show that any fuel dealers and marketers in Uganda have grossly violated the reserve price, which the government keeps away from the public eye.

Solomon Muyita, the energy ministry spokesperson said Uganda has a stable regulation and control over oil prices, despite having a free market economy.

He attributed the ratcheting oil prices to disruptions caused by several Covid-19 restrictions in different countries.

On the other side of the coin, there is increasing doubt by the ministry, that reinforced tendences by major oil traders, to increase prices and meet their investments and costs of production has escalated this increase on the global scale.

Okaasai Opolot, the state minister for energy tried to allay consumer fears, and said government is regulating the price levels to match the global trend.

He also instilled hope amongest motorists, asserting that the government is due to secure oil reserves, which will be instrumental in keeping oil to be used in the country for a considerable period of time.

Mr. Okaasai also acknowledged that the increase in the fuel prices is not in Uganda alone. According to him, it is the same case in all the East African countries and Uganda’s case is abeat fair.
On a serious note, motorists are in a state of confusion, due to the fact that such unforetold increases in fuel prices has led them into incurring huge loses.

While talking to this website, Kabuye Musa, a second year student of Journalism and Communication at Makerere University, who also owns a car decried the hiked prices, and said the sad development has downgraded his family living standards.

“I am a student here, but i also work. In the past five months, i used to spend Shs. 150,000 weekly on fuel expenses, but the figure has sharply increased in the past one month. As a result, I am foregoing some needs to fill my car fuel tank, so as to be able to travel,” he angrily remarked.

The soaring fuel prices are expected to force public transport operators and companies, like buses and taxis to further hike the already hiked transport fares, to meet operational expenses, a move that is likely to stir public outrage.


Do you have a story in your community or an opinion to share with us: Email us at editorial@watchdoguganda.com
ShareTweetSendShare

Related Posts

Business

#Paradise Island Resort: Sudhir Ruparelia’s Luxurious Eco-Retreat on Lake Victoria

6th July 2025 at 15:29
Lifestyle

Who’s Brigadier General Paddy Ankunda; his rise, military career, education, achievements

6th July 2025 at 14:56
Business

CAN JOHN BOSCO MUWONGE CLAIM A SPOT AMONG AFRICA’S WEALTHIEST?

5th July 2025 at 18:09
Next Post
Minister Babalanda and Asuman Kiyingi

Leadership Code Tribunal Boss Kiyingi pays courtesy Call on Presidency Minister

  • Prostitution in Uganda- Courtesy Photo

    10 dangerous hotspots known for prostitutes in Kampala

    1114 shares
    Share 446 Tweet 279
  • Silent Billionaire Bosco Muwonge Buys Mukwano Arcade at UGX 250 Billion Cash Down

    39 shares
    Share 16 Tweet 10
  • LIST: New salary structure for civil servants starting July 2020 out; scientists, lecturers get juicy pay rise

    2286 shares
    Share 914 Tweet 572
  • Uganda’s Billionaires 2025: Once Again Sudhir Ruparelia Leads a Resilient Pack

    45 shares
    Share 18 Tweet 11
  • LIST : Gov’t releases Revised Salary Structure for Teachers, Police, and Prisons Staff for FY 2024/2025

    120 shares
    Share 48 Tweet 30
Facebook Twitter

Contact Information

Watchdog Uganda is a portal for solution journalism, trending news plus cutting edge commentaries in the fields of politics, security, business, tourism, entertainment, technology, agriculture, climate change, environment, public health et al. We also give preference to Ugandan community news and topical discussions. The portal also publishes community news and topical discussions.

Email: editorial@watchdoguganda.com
To Advertise:Click here

Latest News

#Paradise Island Resort: Sudhir Ruparelia’s Luxurious Eco-Retreat on Lake Victoria

6th July 2025 at 15:29

Who’s Brigadier General Paddy Ankunda; his rise, military career, education, achievements

6th July 2025 at 14:56

Check out

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Minister Muruli Mukasa

LIST: New salary structure for civil servants starting July 2020 out; scientists, lecturers get juicy pay rise

24th May 2020 at 10:45
Pregnant woman

Shock as 17-year old boy impregnates his two sisters during Covid-19 lockdown 

17th June 2020 at 08:17
Sudhir Ruparelia is set to speak at business forum in United Kingdom

Billionaire Sudhir’s wisdom on how to invest in real estate

0

How a boy’s destiny turned from cotton grower to communications guru

0

#Paradise Island Resort: Sudhir Ruparelia’s Luxurious Eco-Retreat on Lake Victoria

6th July 2025 at 15:29

Who’s Brigadier General Paddy Ankunda; his rise, military career, education, achievements

6th July 2025 at 14:56

© 2025 Watchdog Uganda

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • National
    • Politics
    • World News
    • Media Outreach Newswire
    • Africa News
    • Tourism
    • Community News
    • Luganda
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Motorsport
  • Op-Ed
    • #Out2Lunch
    • Conversations with
    • Politics
    • Relationships
  • Business
    • Agriculture
    • CEOs & Entrepreneurs,
    • Companies
    • Finance
    • Products
    • RealEstate
    • Technology
  • Entertainment
    • Lifestyle
  • People
    • Showbiz
      • Salon Mag
  • Special Report
    • Education
    • Voices
  • Reviews
    • Products
    • Events
    • Hotels
    • Restaurants
    • Places
  • WD-TV
  • Donate
  • China News

© 2025 Watchdog Uganda