Ruto Reveals Deal With Museveni on Fuel After Months of Trade Tiff

President William Ruto and his Uganda counterpart at a meeting on February 27, 2023.
President William Ruto and his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni at a meeting on February 26, 2024.
PCS

President William Ruto on Monday revealed that Kenya sealed a deal with Uganda on fair distribution and pricing of fuel after months of a trade tiff. 

In a statement released by Ruto after meeting Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni in Uganda, the Head of State emphasised that the new formula would see neighbouring countries benefit in terms of adequate distribution of fuel products.

Ruto added that the two governments were also working to resolve the trade stalemate which saw Uganda sue Kenya at the regional court over an imbalanced trade arrangement.

On the other hand, he noted that Kenya will be championing the resumption of the construction of a pipeline connecting the two countries

Motorists at a petrol station in Kinoo along Waiyaki Way on January 7, 2023.
Motorists at a petrol station in Kinoo along Waiyaki Way on January 7, 2023.
Kenyans.co.ke

The developments come amidst plans by Uganda to completely cut off Kenya and construct a pipeline directly from Tanzania.

Uganda had accused Kenyan companies of selling fuel to Uganda exorbitantly, to make a profit at the expense of fair prices for Ugandan citizens.

"We have agreed on a way forward of sourcing and scheduling imports for the region in a manner that will ensure we achieve the most competitive pricing and maximum logistical efficiency.  

"In my meeting with President Kaguta Museveni today, we also discussed the need for the two countries to urgently pursue the design and construction of the earlier conceptualised Eldoret-Kampala-Kigali refined petroleum product pipeline," read the statement in part.

Kenya and Uganda have differed in recent months over an imbalanced trade deal.

At the regional court, Kenya was accused of an unfair trade framework, with Uganda alleging that the Energy Petroleum and Regulatory Authority (EPRA) denied the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) a licence to import fuel directly from Kenya.

This is after Uganda passed the Petroleum Supply Amendment Bill 2023 which gave the national corporation all the power to be the sole importer and distributor of fuel to Uganda.

The bill passed by Uganda was aimed at cutting ties with Kenyan companies accused of prioritising profit over fair pricing for its citizens.

From left to right: President William Ruto, Azimio's Raila Odinga and Uganda's Yoweri Museveni in Kisozi, Uganda on Monday, February 26, 2024.
From left to right: President William Ruto, Azimio's Raila Odinga and Uganda's Yoweri Museveni in Kisozi, Uganda on Monday, February 26, 2024.
PCS