The Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) has assured Ugandans that the country’s fuel supply remains stable despite recent reports of instability in the Middle East that have sparked concerns over possible disruptions to global petroleum routes.
In a statement, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at UNOC, Tony Otoa said they are closely monitoring the unfolding situation and working with their partner, Vitol, to minimize any potential impact on Uganda’s fuel imports.
“Following the recent reports of the situation in the Middle East and concerns about possible disruptions within the global petroleum supply routes, at UNOC we are working closely with our partner, Vitol, to make sure that we mitigate these disruptions as much as possible, but also see how best we can get enough product into the country,” Otoa said.
He emphasized that there should be no panic among the public, noting that contingency measures have already been activated.
“As the situation unfolds, we are monitoring developments with our partner and we are also using this opportunity to reassure the public that there should be no cause for alarm. We are doing whatever it takes and putting in the measures that are needed to ensure that there’s uninterrupted supply of petroleum products in the country,” the statement added.
The national oil company also highlighted Uganda’s fuel storage capacity as a key buffer against any short-term supply shocks.
“We have our storage capacity, including storage tanks in Jinja, which are going to support us during this period. More importantly, we are still receiving vessels with fuel products for us to consume as a country, so there is no cause for alarm,” UNOC said.
The reassurance comes at a time of heightened global attention on oil supply chains, with the Middle East remaining a critical hub for global energy markets.
UNOC reiterated its commitment to maintaining stability in Uganda’s fuel market, stressing that it is working “over and over to make sure that we have supply within the country.”