Kenya crisis hits hard on fuel
2008-01-02 12:11
Kampala - Political violence in Kenya is choking off supplies of fuel and petroleum products to neighbouring Uganda and is likely to hit a swathe of central Africa from Rwanda and Burundi to eastern Congo and southern Sudan.
They all get fuel from Kenyan ports, where business had been interrupted by the chaos that had followed the disputed re-election of President Mwai Kibaki.
In Uganda's capital, Kampala, on Wednesday, many cars stood abandoned by their owners on roadsides as petrol stations ran out of supplies. Some residents and businesses stock-piled what they could get and then hoarded it, fearing more disruption was to come.
Ugandan Energy Minister Daudi Migereko said: "Though there has been a general scarcity of petrol, the Kenya crisis has worsened it. A lot of fuel destined for Kampala is stuck in (Kenyan port) Mombasa and for now there is nothing to be done."
There were harsh words from the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA), which accused the authorities of ignoring its repeated warnings to maintain the nation's reserves.
"Our advice had not been heeded, and now we have the entire transport sector frozen," said UMA spokesperson Henry Obonyo.
The shortages came at the worst time for Uganda, where supplies were already depleted after many people followed their usual Christmas tradition and travelled long distances upcountry to visit relatives.
Migereko said: "People might have to suffer high transport costs in the short run. But it might not go on very long. Government is working round the clock to address the problem."