Overview:
Mr Tony Otoa, the Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC), said the country’s fuel imports remain secure even as instability in the Middle East raises concerns over shipments passing through the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and Oman.
KAMPALA. The government has assured Ugandans of uninterrupted fuel supply despite rising tensions in the Middle East that have sparked fears of possible disruptions to global petroleum trade routes.
In a statement issued yesterday, Mr Tony Otoa, the Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC), said the country’s fuel imports remain secure even as instability in the Middle East raises concerns over shipments passing through the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and Oman.
The narrow waterway is a critical global transit route for crude oil and petroleum products, and any disruption has the potential to trigger supply shortages and price volatility on the international market.
However, Mr Otoa said UNOC, working together with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development and its supply partner, Vitol, is closely monitoring developments and has put in place measures to guarantee continuity of supply.
“UNOC and its supply partner, Vitol, are keenly following the events as they unfold and wish to reassure the public that all appropriate measures are being taken to ensure uninterrupted supply of petroleum products into the country,” Mr Otoa said.
He emphasised that Uganda’s supply arrangements are diversified and do not depend entirely on one region.
“We further reassure the public that our supply partner does not rely entirely on supplies from a single region and, as such, will continue working with alternative supply sources and routes for cargoes initially planned to come from the affected regions to ensure that deliveries to Uganda continue without disruption,” he added.
Mr Otoa said scheduled fuel cargo deliveries for March 2026 remain on course, with contingency plans already activated to avert any immediate impact that could arise from the unfolding geopolitical situation.
Uganda is a net importer of refined petroleum products, and any instability in global supply chains often triggers anxiety in the domestic market, sometimes leading to panic buying and artificial price hikes.
But Mr Otoa urged the public and market participants to remain calm, noting that there is no cause for alarm.
“We urge the public and market participants to remain calm as we continue to monitor developments in the international market and work with our partners and key enabling stakeholders to ensure supply continuity,” he said.
With stable supply flows maintained, Mr Otoa said pump prices are expected to remain relatively unchanged in the short term, barring any major shocks in global crude oil prices.
The reassurance comes amid heightened global market sensitivity to developments in the Middle East, a region that accounts for a significant share of the world’s oil exports.
Mr Otoa reiterated that the Government of Uganda remains committed to executing its mandate under the Petroleum Supply Act and safeguarding the country’s energy security.
“Government remains committed to contributing to the security of supply of petroleum products in the country,” he said.
Energy sector observers note that Uganda’s current import arrangements under UNOC are designed to enhance supply stability and reduce exposure to external shocks, particularly in times of geopolitical uncertainty.
For now, officials maintain that fuel supply lines into the country remain intact and that consumers should not expect disruptions at fuel stations.