Fuel Shortages

Written Friday, November 21, 2008

Over the last month there has been a chronic fuel shortage in Uganda. The cost of transportation has almost doubled and line-ups at the fuel pumps are frequently seen. Today I saw cars waiting for fuel backed upon into intersections, while dozens of people waited with jerry cans in hand. No one seems to know why there is such a fuel shortage. Everyone I talk to remarks with disbelief on how even in Kampala there isn’t enough gas to go around. But the most baffling part for Ugandans is why Uganda is the only country in the region that seems to be experiencing this problem.

People are particularly concerned about what the shortage means for the Christmas season, which is when Ugandans do more traveling than any other time of the year. Usually during this time, transportation costs drastically increase, even quadruple, so if the gas shortage continues and drives up transportation costs even more, holiday travel may become unaffordable for many Ugandans.