Fuel Crisis Hits Uganda

Uganda is undergoing a fuel crisis following a build-up of fuel transporters at the major border points of Malaba and Busia in the east of the country.

Queues of waiting trucks, as long as 70km (43 miles), have been reported in major parts of the east.

Truck drivers in the region have been protesting against a requirement by the Ugandan government that they test for COVID-19 at the border points, regardless of whether they presented a negative PCR test or not.

The country imports all its fuel and other petroleum products and consumes about 6.5m litres (1.7m gallons) a day.

Fuel prices have been steadily rising since last year, but a major spike has been seen in the past week.