Museveni Says Kenyan Media Misrepresented His Fuel Remarks, Thanks Ruto for Supporting Uganda Fuel Deal

NAIROBI, Kenya Sep 21 – Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has clarified remarks that triggered a fresh debate over petroleum imports between Kenya and Uganda, saying sections of the Kenyan media misrepresented what he said about the use of middlemen in fuel procurement. Museveni said his original remarks were about Uganda’s previous petroleum procurement system and not an accusation against the current Kenyan government. In a statement issued as part of his 82nd birthday reflections, Museveni said he had been referring to a procurement arrangement in which Uganda was buying petroleum products through intermediaries in Kenya.

He said the matter was brought to his attention around 2019 by the late Kenyan politician and former Senator Cyrus Jirongo. According to Museveni, Jirongo informed him that Uganda was purchasing petroleum products through Kenyan middlemen, prompting him to ask then Energy Minister Irene Muloni to address the issue. “Some Kenya Media People decided, recently, to put pilipili (red pepper) in what I said recently,” Museveni said, arguing that his remarks had been given a misleading interpretation.

Museveni said Uganda eventually changed its petroleum procurement model in 2023 after entering into an arrangement with Vitol, which he described as a global energy trader with refineries and bulk-supply capabilities. He said the new arrangement resulted in significant reductions in the premiums Uganda paid for petroleum products. Under an agreement dated August 18, 2023, Museveni said Uganda’s diesel premium fell from US$118 to US$83 per metric tonne.

The petrol premium dropped from US$97.50 to US$61.50 per metric tonne, while aviation fuel declined from US$114.25 to US$79.25 per metric tonne. Museveni said the changes were part of Uganda’s efforts to reform how the country procured petroleum products and reduce the cost of importing fuel. The Ugandan President specifically credited President William Ruto with supporting the new arrangement despite resistance from some actors in Kenya.

Museveni said Ruto’s intervention helped Uganda secure access to Kenya’s petroleum infrastructure, allowing the country to transport its imported fuel through the Kenya oil pipeline. Ruto because he prevailed over some actors in Kenya who were trying to resist,” Museveni said. He added that Uganda was subsequently allowed to pump its petroleu…