KAMPALA: The Minister of Energy and Mineral Development has been directed to present a detailed report on the spiraling fuel prices in the country.
According to the Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, much as the country has fuel reserves, the increase in fuel prices is a global phenomenon, which has also troubled many Ugandans especially in trade.
The Prime Minister who made the directive to the energy minister, was responding to a concern on the fuel prices raised by Buvuma Islands County MP, Hon Robert Migadde, during the Prime Minister’s Question Time on Thursday, November 18, 2021.
Migadde observed that prices of petrol had increased by over 17 per cent since the beginning of the new financial year, adding that this was not in tandem with global prices of petrol.
“By June 17, 2021, the price of petrol was Shs.3,900 and diesel was Shs.3,500. As of today, the price of petrol is Shs.4,600 in Kampala and Shs6,000 in Buvuma islands, whereas diesel is Shs.4,200,” Migadde said.
He told the House that as per the global petrol prices, by November 15, 2021, Uganda stood at US$1.3 per litre, Burundi at US$1.2 per litre, Kenya at US$1.1 per litre, Rwanda at US$1.13 per litre and Sudan at US$0.6 per litre.
The Buvuma Islands legislator added that soaring prices of fuel in the country have increased the cost of life for the public, and asked government to tell the country how much fuel is available at the government facility in the eastern district of Jinja and how long they can last the country.
Hon. Macho Godfrey (Indep., Busia Municipality) asked government to open Uganda’s borders with neighboring countries, to enable Ugandans buy fuel cheaply and thus reduce on the cost of trade.