Eastern Uganda tops fuel non-compliance as UNBS, Energy ministry step up sensitisation

What the report says

The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development are intensifying sensitisation campaigns for fuel dealers and the public on rules for Uganda’s downstream petroleum sector. According to Nile Post, the effort comes amid concerns about illegal fuel outlets, adulteration and the sale of petroleum products that do not meet regulatory standards.

The article says Eastern Uganda recorded the highest level of non-compliance in figures presented during the engagements, with a reported 47% between June and August 2026. A ministry official, Faridah Nakayiza Nsanja, said regulators continue to face challenges from operators who do not meet licensing and fuel-quality requirements. She linked some of the difficulties in eastern Uganda to the region’s proximity to Kenya and cross-border movement of fuel, while also noting that some dealers may try to evade inspections.

Dealers in places such as Kamuli and Iganga said compliance can be costly for small businesses, citing expenses for environmental audits, fuel-marking and other requirements. They also raised concerns about access to services and the continued sale of fuel in plastic containers and other informal outlets. Regulators have warned that such practices can increase risks to consumers, property and the environment.

The campaign is expected to continue in other regions as authorities seek to improve compliance and curb the circulation of substandard or illegally traded fuel. For context, fuel-marking and quality-monitoring exercises have been used before in Uganda as part of enforcement against adulteration and unlicensed operations.