Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has credited President William Ruto with helping Uganda secure a cheaper fuel deal that significantly reduced the cost of importing petroleum products.
Museveni made the remarks while reflecting on his 82nd birthday, saying Uganda had previously been buying petroleum products through intermediaries in Kenya.
He said the country later changed its procurement model by working through the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) and a global energy trader.
According to figures cited by Museveni, the new arrangement reduced the premiums paid on diesel, petrol and aviation fuel.
Museveni Credits Ruto Over Fuel Deal
Museveni praised Ruto for supporting Uganda’s efforts to change how it procured petroleum products.
“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 support enabled Uganda to establish its new arrangement while continuing to use Kenyan petroleum infrastructure.
Museveni said Uganda was “very happy” with the Kenyan Government under Ruto over the matter.
The comments come against the backdrop of a major change in the way Uganda sources petroleum products for its domestic market.
President Thanks Ruto
Museveni said Ruto’s intervention helped Uganda overcome resistance to its new procurement model.
He specifically linked the Kenyan President to Uganda’s ability to use the Kenya oil pipeline to transport petroleum products.
Uganda has since taken a more direct role in importing petroleum through UNOC.
The two countries formally signed a tripartite agreement in May 2024 allowing UNOC to import refined petroleum products directly from producer countries and transport them through Kenya.
Uganda’s New Procurement Model
The new model was designed to reduce Uganda’s reliance on Kenyan oil marketing companies and intermediaries.
UNOC became the central player in Uganda’s bulk petroleum imports.
The company has subsequently used Kenya’s port, storage and pipeline infrastructure to move petroleum products into Uganda.
UNOC says the majority of Uganda’s imports are routed through Kenya, while Tanzania also provides alternative routes through Dar es Salaam and Tanga.
How Uganda Previously Bought Fuel
Museveni said Uganda’s previous system involved buying petroleum products through middlemen in Kenya.
He said he only became aware of the arrangement after being alerted by a Kenyan senator around 2019.
The President did not identify the senator in the account
