The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, Irene Bateebe, has said the government is stepping up enforcement to ensure all petrol stations operating in Uganda are properly licensed after it emerged that about 3,600 fuel stations are operating without valid licences.
Bateebe made the remarks while appearing before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (Central), where she revealed that the ministry has made significant progress in improving compliance, with 1,828 petrol stations now licensed across the country.
She explained that many operators first obtain approval from local governments and establish their businesses before acquiring the mandatory operating licence from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, creating a major enforcement challenge.
Bateebe said the ministry is conducting nationwide enforcement operations to ensure all fuel stations comply with the law.
She added that the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) has adopted a strict policy of not supplying petroleum products to unlicensed petrol stations.
According to Bateebe, the measure has prompted many operators to begin the licensing process.
She emphasized that the ministry will maintain its position that no unlicensed fuel station will receive petroleum products through UNOC until it has met all the required licensing conditions.
By Francis Lubega
30th July 2026
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