As of early April 2026, the global energy market is grappling with what the International Energy Agency (IEA) has termed the “largest supply disruption in history.”
A major conflict in the Middle East has severely restricted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz—a maritime chokepoint responsible for 20% of the world’s oil consumption. While this crisis has sent Brent crude prices surging past $100 per barrel, the Ugandan government and the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) have issued a firm assurance to the public: the national fuel supply remains secure.
Through a combination of strategic reserves, diversified logistics, and a landmark shift in how the country imports its petroleum, Uganda has built a buffer that is currently shielding the economy from the immediate shocks of the Middle East war.
The Current Inventory: A State of Stability
On March 30, 2026, a joint statement from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development and UNOC provided a transparent breakdown of the country’s inland fuel supply chain. As of late March, the data confirmed that Uganda’s stock levels are sufficient to bridge the gap through the end of April, even if global shipments were to halt entirely.
National Stock Breakdown (as of March 27, 2026)
The following volumes are currently available within the country’s distribution network:
- Petrol: 81 million liters (22 days of cover)
- Diesel: 80 million liters (23 days of cover)
- Jet A-1: 18.5 million liters (30 days of cover)
With a national daily consumption of approximately 7.76 million liters, these reserves ensure that essential services—from public transport to international aviation at Entebbe—continue without interruption.
Reinforcements on the Horizon
The “end of April” timeline is not a deadline for depletion, but rather a snapshot of current holdings. UNOC has confirmed that massive additional shipments are already in transit. Starting in early April, Uganda is scheduled to receive a combined 374 million liters of petroleum products, which will extend the nation’s security well into the second quarter of the year.
| Fuel Type | Incoming Volume (Liters) | Additional Days of Cover |
| Petrol | 195 Million | +52 Days |
| Diesel | 155 Million | +44 Days |
| Jet A-1 | 24 Million | +39 Days |
These incoming cargoes have already docked or are scheduled to arrive at the Port of Mombasa. By the time these reserves are integrated into the local supply chain, Uganda will have roughly two months of guaranteed fuel security, a significant achievement given the volatility of the global market.
The Strategic Shift: UNOC as the Sole Importer
The resilience of Uganda’s current supply chain is largely credited to a policy shift that began in mid-2024. Following legislative changes, UNOC became the sole importer of bulk petroleum products for the Ugandan market. This move moved the country away from a system where dozens of private marketing companies sourced fuel independently, often competing for the same limited regional pipeline space.
The Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) Partnership
A critical component of this strategy was Uganda’s recent acquisition of a 20.15% strategic shareholding in the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC). Since approximately 95% of Uganda’s fuel—roughly 2.96 billion liters annually—traverses the Kenyan corridor, owning a stake in the infrastructure ensures that Ugandan-bound fuel is prioritized. This partnership allows UNOC to utilize KPC’s storage and pipeline systems to move fuel efficiently from Mombasa to depots in Western Kenya, where it is then trucked into Uganda.
Alternative Routes through Tanzania
To mitigate the risks of over-reliance on a single corridor, the government has aggressively diversified its logistics. UNOC is now actively utilizing the “Central Corridor” through Tanzania. By routing supplementary supplies through the ports of Tanga, Dar es Salaam, and Mtwara, Uganda has created a redundant system. If one port faces congestion or a regional disruption, the other remains open, ensuring the “landlocked” status of the country does not translate into “fuel-locked.”
Mitigating the “Strait of Hormuz” Effect
The ongoing war in the Middle East has created a physical shortage of oil in many parts of the world. However, UNOC’s supply partners have leveraged a “Global Sourcing” model. Rather than being tied exclusively to Middle Eastern refineries, Uganda’s partners access alternative sources from global markets less affected by the blockade.
This diversification is the reason why, despite the Strait of Hormuz seeing traffic plunge to a trickle, the “vessel deliveries” to Mombasa for Uganda remain “favorable.”
The Challenge of Pump Prices
While physical supply is guaranteed, price stability remains a separate challenge. The Ministry of Energy has acknowledged that local pump prices are still subject to the gravity of international crude costs and foreign exchange fluctuations.
In late March, Energy Minister Ruth Nankabirwa issued a stern warning to oil marketing companies against “unjustified” price hikes. While petrol and diesel have seen slight increases—averaging around Shs 5,300 and Shs 5,000 respectively—the government is monitoring these rates closely to ensure that retailers do not use global panic as a pretext for price gouging.
Countering Misinformation
In an era of instant digital communication, “panic buying” can be as dangerous as a physical shortage. Both the Ministry and UNOC have used their recent briefings to dismiss social media rumors of an impending “dry-out.” These false claims, officials noted, only serve to trigger artificial scarcity as consumers rush to stock up, straining the delivery systems.
The government’s message to the business community, the transport sector, and the public is clear: The tanks are full, and more is on the way.
Conclusion
Uganda’s approach to fuel security in 2026 is a study in proactive national planning. By centralizing imports through UNOC, investing in regional infrastructure like the Kenya Pipeline, and maintaining a diverse array of port options, the country has insulated itself from a historic global crisis. As long as the logistics through Mombasa and Dar es Salaam remain open, and UNOC’s global partners continue to source from outside the immediate conflict zone, Ugandans can expect the pumps to stay running through April and far beyond.
