Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has named former Kenyan politician Cyrus Jirongo as the person who alerted him to what he described as costly fuel procurement arrangements involving middlemen, while also praising President William Ruto for supporting Uganda’s current fuel import deal through Kenya.
In a statement released as part of his reflections following his 82nd birthday celebrations on September 20, Museveni said Jirongo informed him around 2019 that Uganda was buying petroleum products through intermediaries in Kenya rather than directly from suppliers.
Uganda’s Cheaper Fuel Deal
The Ugandan leader said the revelation prompted him to task then Energy Minister Irene Muloni with addressing the issue.
However, he said no significant changes were made until 2023, when Uganda agreed with global energy company Vitol.
“Nevertheless, nothing happened until 2023, when we linked up with a group known as Vitol that has refineries in different parts of the World and is also a bulk supplier,” Museveni said.
According to the President, the deal significantly reduced the cost of importing petroleum products into Uganda.
He said diesel import costs fell from USD 118 per metric tonne to USD 83, while petrol dropped from USD 97.5 to USD 61.5. Aviation fuel prices also fell from USD 114.25 to USD 79.25 per metric tonne.
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Museveni said the old procurement system relied on middlemen in Kenya, a practice he blamed for increasing costs for Ugandan consumers and businesses.
He said the issue came to his attention after a conversation with Jirongo, who informed him how Uganda was sourcing its petroleum products.
According to the President, he immediately instructed then Energy Minister Irene Muloni to address the matter, but no changes were implemented at the time.
Museveni said Uganda eventually changed course in August 2023 after signing an agreement with Vitol, which he described as a company with refineries in different parts of the world and experience as a bulk fuel supplier.
“I want to thank H.E. Ruto because he prevailed over some actors in Kenya who were trying to resist,” Museveni said.
He added that the current arrangement allows Uganda to transport its fuel imports through the Kenyan oil pipeline network.
Museveni said the Kenyan government also allowed Uganda to acquire a 20.15 percent shareholding in the pipeline system.
“That is how we got our new arrangement, and the Kenya Government allows us to pump our products through the Kenya oil pipeline, in which the Kenya Government allowed us to have shares of 20.15%. We are very happy with the Kenya Government of President Ruto on this matter,” he said.
Museveni on Africa’s Future
The fuel remarks were part of a wider message Museveni issued after his 82nd birthday on September 15, during which he thanked about eight million people who sent him congratulatory messages.
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The Ugandan leader said Africa must focus on three historical missions that he believes remain unfinished.
He identified the missions as achieving prosperity through economic integration, strengthening strategic security through political integration and promoting unity among the continent’s different linguistic groups.
Museveni said a larger African common market would help wealth creators expand their businesses, while political integration initiatives such as the proposed East African Federation would strengthen the continent’s security.
He argued that cooperation among Africa’s major linguistic communities, including the Niger-Congo, Nilo-Saharan, Afro-Asiatic and Khoisan groups, would guarantee prosperity and strategic security.
“In those remaining years, I appeal to the Africans, if they want to avoid future calamity, to work on the three historical missions not yet attained,” Museveni said.
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