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April 30, 2026
By Sadique Bamwita
Kampala
Ugandan oil marketing companies under their umbrella body, Sustainable Energies and Petroleum Association of Uganda (SEPA Uganda), have refuted government accusations of hoarding fuel with intent to manipulate fuel prices as pump prices continue to escalate across the country.
In a statement issued on Sunday April 26,2026, SEPA Uganda – an umbrella body for Oil marketing companies in Uganda, noted that allegations of fuel hoarding, price inflation, and cross-border smuggling by the state are unfounded.
“The downstream petroleum sector in Uganda operates within robust compliance frameworks, supported by internal controls and continuous monitoring to promote transparency and accountability. Therefore,member companies are required to operate under strict regulatory oversight and to comply with all applicable laws, standards, and government directives” the statement states.
SEPA also noted Uganda’s fuel supply is centrally coordinated by the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC), and directed all inquiries about the pump prices be directed to the government agency. “Current pricing pressures, supply constraints, and isolated fuel shortages at some service stations are a direct result of disruptions in global oil markets driven by ongoing conflict in the Middle East and not deliberate actions by oil marketing companies” the statement gives clarity.
The statement concludes: “SEPA Uganda reiterates its members’ firm commitment to ethical conduct, fair pricing, and uninterrupted service delivery. We remain focused on ensuring that fuel supply continues to support essential services, businesses, and communities across Uganda” A few days ago, the Energy Minister Ruth Nankabirwa, accused oil companies of taking advantage of the situation in the Middle East to increase fuel prices across the country.
However, in a couple of weeks ago, several fuel stations have run dry, with reports of rationing and hiking of fuel for those who have it in several parts of the country.
