The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), in partnership with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD), has called upon fuel station owners across the country to adopt self-monitoring systems as part of wider efforts to strengthen compliance with national fuel standards and regulations.
This call was made during a Fuel Marking and Quality Monitoring Program (FQMP) awareness campaign held in South Western Uganda, where UNBS and MEMD officials sensitized local authorities about the importance of fuel quality and accuracy in fuel measurements. The campaign sought to build stronger cooperation between regulators, fuel dealers, and local leaders in curbing malpractices that continue to undermine the fuel industry and the wider economy.
According to Peter Kitimbo, the FQMP Field Supervisor, most cases of non-compliance occur during the transportation stage, where fuel is adulterated before reaching its final destination.
He noted that introducing self-monitoring systems at fuel stations would empower owners to quickly detect and reject substandard or tampered fuel products before they reach consumers.
“Most of the fuel is adulterated during transit. By the time it arrives at a fuel station, it has already been compromised. That is why we are strongly encouraging fuel station owners to put in place self-monitoring systems. With such measures, they can identify and reject substandard fuel even before regulators step in,” Kitimbo emphasized.
He further urged fuel station operators and members of the public to report suspicious activities, stressing the importance of working closely with local authorities to regulate fuel stations, especially in hard-to-reach areas where supervision may be limited.
On his part, Daniel Richard Nangalama Makayi, the Deputy Executive Director in charge of Management and Financial Services at UNBS, reiterated the need for collective action in tackling the three major malpractices threatening Uganda’s fuel sector which are; adulteration, smuggling, and dumping.
“These vices not only distort fair business competition but also hurt our economy and expose consumers to poor-quality fuel. We are therefore calling on all stakeholders to join hands with government in fighting these illegal practices,” Makayi said.
Fuel adulteration, in particular, has long been a menace in Uganda, with grave consequences on vehicle engines, the environment, and government revenue. However, officials noted that significant progress has been made through the Fuel Marking and Quality Monitoring Program, which is jointly implemented by MEMD and UNBS.
The program, introduced in the early 2000s, is designed to control and monitor the quality of petroleum products across the entire supply chain from importation and transportation to distribution and retail. Through advanced fuel marking technology, the program has been able to track fuel quality and minimize tampering.
Statistics presented during the campaign showed that despite varying levels of non-compliance across regions, the program has had a major impact. In 2000, fuel adulteration rates stood at over 30%, but today, they have been reduced to less than 1% in 2025.
Regionally, the Eastern part of Uganda continues to record the highest non-compliance levels at 36%, followed by the Western region at 24%, Southern at 22%, Central at 13%, and Northern at just 6%. Authorities believe that expanding awareness campaigns and promoting self-monitoring at the station level will help bring these numbers even lower.
The stakeholders were also cautioned against operating non-compatible businesses near fuel stations due to safety and regulatory concerns. They were further encouraged to formalize their operations by complying with existing fuel standards, obtaining licenses, and ensuring that their businesses meet the minimum operational requirements set by government.
Experts say that with Uganda’s fuel consumption continuing to rise, ensuring quality and compliance in the sector is critical to protecting consumers, safeguarding the environment, and maintaining investor confidence. By adopting self-monitoring systems, fuel station owners not only protect their businesses from liability but also contribute to building a fair, transparent, and efficient petroleum industry.
The UNBS and MEMD pledged to continue working closely with fuel dealers, local governments, and the general public to strengthen the effectiveness of the Fuel Marking and Quality Monitoring Program. With sustained cooperation, Uganda aims to achieve full compliance and eliminate fuel adulteration altogether in the near future.
