Government Assures Public of Stable Fuel Supply Amid Middle East Tensions

 

The Ugandan government has moved to calm public concerns over potential fuel shortages, issuing a firm reassurance that the country's petroleum supply remains secure despite escalating instability in the Middle East.

 

The anxiety in global markets stems from a dramatic widening of the conflict between Iran, the United States, and Israel. Following a joint U.S.-Israeli military operation that killed Iran's Supreme Leader, Iran has retaliated by effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz to shipping and launching drone attacks on major oil infrastructure. This includes strikes that have forced the suspension of operations at key refineries in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, sending shockwaves through global energy markets .

 

In a joint statement released on March 2, 2026, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development and the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) addressed these worries, seeking to reassure the public, industry stakeholders, and the broader business community that Uganda's supply of petroleum products will remain reliable.

 

"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," the statement read.

 

A key factor in this assurance is the diversity of Uganda's supply chain. According to the statement, Vitol does not depend entirely on a single region for its petroleum products. The company is already implementing contingency plans, utilizing alternative supply sources and rerouting cargoes that were originally scheduled to pass through the affected areas.

 

"Notably, scheduled fuel cargo deliveries for March 2026 remain on course with contingency plans to avert any immediate impact," the Ministry and UNOC confirmed, providing a concrete timeline to help stabilize the market.

 

With these measures in place, the government anticipates that the supply will remain steady, which in turn should keep pump prices relatively stable. They urged the public and market participants to remain calm while the authorities continue to monitor international market developments.

 

"Government of Uganda remains committed to implementing its mandate under the Petroleum Supply Act and contributing to security of supply of petroleum products in the country," the statement concluded.