Uganda is diversifying its oil import routes, relying on the ports of Mombasa and Dar es Salaam to meet demands of over 174,000 tonnes of oil products. Despite facing challenges in meeting limits through Mombasa, Uganda is supplementing its needs through Tanzania, ensuring an adequate supply for the country’s monthly stock requirements. The move to import oil through Tanzania allows Uganda to fulfill its demand for petrol, diesel, Jet-A1, and kerosene. Minister of Energy and Mineral Development Dr. Ruth Nankabirwa confirmed the importation and highlighted the likelihood of declining pump prices in the medium term, depending on global market conditions.
Uganda’s shift towards importing oil through Tanzania follows negotiations with Kenya and aims to reduce reliance on Kenyan ports for petroleum imports. The country’s plans for direct imports through Tanzania and the development of a pipeline to extend to Rwanda and possibly Burundi indicate a strategic move towards self-sufficiency in the petroleum sector.