French company, Total has opened its 200th fuel station in Uganda as it continues to expand its wings across the country and continent at large.
Speaking at the launch of the fuel station in Ndeeba, a Kampala suburb, outgoing Total Uganda Managing Director, Imemba Obi said since stepping foot in Uganda, the company has continued to extend its reach to as many areas as possible.
“We are not only opening our 200th fuel station but we are the first company to reach that milestone in Uganda. This consolidates our footsteps in Uganda as we strive to ensure we provide a worthwhile experience to customers,”Imemba said.
He explained that the country has continued to provide employment to over 4000 people directly and indirectly through their 200 service stations, adding that the company is one of the biggest taxpayers in the country.
Speaking at the function, the Ministry of Energy Permanent Secretary, Robert Kasande hailed the French company for reaching the milestone noting that Total is one of the biggest tax contributors to government.
“Total has contributed to Uganda’s fuel consumption which has continued to grow at 7% per annum to ensure that 180 million litres of fuel are consumed per month. This has an impact on the revenue that government gets through taxes,”Kasande said.
The Ministry of Energy Permanent Secretary urged the company to continue supporting government’s efforts in ensuring they fight fuel adulteration that he said has greatly reduced to concerted efforts by industry players.
According to Carol Katungi, the Retail and Marketing Manager for Total Uganda said the company has grown from being a fuel service provider to bringing a wide range of other services nearer their customers.
“We are focused on innovation and bringing good quality products to our customers. We have become a one stop place for customers with ATM services, drycleaners, supermarkets and restaurants among other services located at fuel stations. We want to continue bring a worthwhile experience to them as they enjoy our services within a distance of six kilometres from their places of residence and work,”Katungi said.
The 65 -year journey
The French fuel company stepped foot in Uganda as a fuel depot in 1955 and operated as Ozo East African Petroleum Company Limited incorporated in Kenya but in 1958, they owned their first fuel station at Arua Park, in Kampala.
In 1963, the company changed name to Total Oil Products East Africa and in 1999, the name was changed to Total Uganda Limited after the company bought all government shares to become 100% private.
In 2009, the company acquired Caltex and all their franchises in the country before later in 2017, the French company again expanded its horizons by completing a Shs1.4 trillion acquisition of the Gulf Africa Petroleum Corporation’s (GAPCO) assets in the East Africa region to give them a 28% market share in Uganda and about 36% market dominance in the region.
They have since embarked on the process of rebranding and the Ndeeba Mbaawo station which is the their 200th is among those taken over from GAPCO.
