The first shipment of Ugandan oil imports has docked at the Port of Mombasa Mombasa as Kampala shifts from third-party importation of the critical commodity.
According to Ugandan Minister for Energy and Mineral Development Ruth Nankabirwa, Kenya’s neighbour was satisfied with the quality of refined petroleum products delivered through the Port of Mombasa.
The two tankers filled with oil products arrived at the port of Mombasa to deliver Uganda’s first consignment of imported petroleum products, sourced directly by the Uganda National Oil Company.
According to UNOC, the ship arrived from the Jebel Ali port in the United Arab Emirates with 58,000 metric tons of petrol.
The second ship from Kuwait is expected tomorrow, Thursday. Officials also state that the fuel will be discharged into the Kenya Pipeline Company infrastructure, enabling delivery to Eldoret, Kisumu, and Nakuru in Kenya for onward transportation to Uganda by fuel trucks.
The imports are part of a negotiated deal between the government-owned Uganda National Oil Company and Vitol Bahrain aimed at lowering pump prices below current rates offered by dealers in Kenya.
She described it as a “milestone by the Uganda National Oil Company and extended her gratitude to the Kenyan government in ensuring the smooth commencement of the imports.”
The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Managing Director William Ruto noted that “the operationalization of the new KOT had streamlined marine oil terminals operations, created synergy, enhanced safety and operational excellence.”
He said that the facility had handled a total 9,636,098 metric tons of petroleum products in the year 2023/2024 symbolizing efficiency of the Port in attracting more oil tankers calling at the Port of Mombasa.
Kenya’s Petroleum Principal Secretary Mohamed Liban who represented Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir reiterated the government’s commitment towards ensuring the security and safety of the cargo.
Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) Chairman Mathias Katamba, UNOC CEO Proscovia Nabbanja also expressed optimism following this development.
