fuel prices (courtesy photo)
Members of Parliament have asked Government to intervene over the skyrocketing fuel prices, saying businesses are starting to crumble due to the high transport costs.
The MPs who addressed journalists on Monday, 29th November 2021 in Parliament say that whereas fuel prices have been rising for months now, Government has remained silent and has not offered any strategy out of the crisis.
Uganda’s fuel prices are the highest in East Africa at sh4,590 per liter followed by Burundi’s sh4,290. Tanzania has the lowest price of sh 3,780 per liter, Rwanda sh4,060, and Kenya, sh4, 180.
Crude oil prices have been rising fast for the past eight months following the opening of most economies from the COVID-19 lockdown.
Fuel demand shot up fast with limited production and although regular oil production has started, there is still a gap to cover.
MPs said that the country is in a crisis and the Government needs to give a strategy to intervene.
Denis Sekabira (NUP, Katikamu North) said that because of the high fuel prices, prices of goods and services are getting out of hand.
He added that sadly top government officials and politicians are operators in the fuel business and this is where Government needs to come in and regulate the fuel sector. He says the government has not played its role to date in relation to fuel.
He also says that it is shocking that whereas fuel passes through Uganda to go to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), fuel prices in Uganda are higher than that in DRC.
Mbwatekwama Gaffa (NRM, Igara County West) says that members of Parliament have been affected as well, but generally Ugandans have been cheated.
He said prices of oil have skyrocketed and 10,000 shillings that used to buy two and a half liters can barely get you two liters.
Mbwatekamwa said it is time for Government to use the fuel reserves to provide stability for the country.
He also says Parliament should debate the matter of the high rising fuel prices so that a solution can be got.
Ronald Balimwezo (NUP, Nakawa East) says Ugandans are failing to meet their basic needs because of the high costs of things.
He said the dealings between Uganda National Oil Company and Stabex and oil marketing firm should be investigated since it could create a monopoly
