Dokolo, Uganda | A severe fuel shortage has hit Dokolo District, leaving motorists stranded, disrupting transport services and pushing pump prices to as high as Shs7,000 per litre amid dwindling supplies at most filling stations.
A spot check across Dokolo Town Council on Wednesday revealed long queues stretching for blocks as drivers, boda boda riders and other consumers struggled to secure fuel. Several stations have either closed or are operating intermittently due to depleted stocks.
Key outlets including Dokolo Oil Petrol Station and Golden Gas Petrol Station are reported to be partially shut, leaving only a few operators such as Meru Petrol Station to serve the high demand.
At Meru Petrol Station, manager Allan Mwanga said petrol prices have risen sharply from Shs4,800 to Shs6,500 per litre, warning that supplies are increasingly constrained.
He attributed the volatility to instability in global oil markets, citing geopolitical tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran, which he said have disrupted supply chains and driven up import costs.
Mwanga further noted that available fuel stocks are now being rationed strictly for vehicles and motorcycles, with sales to jerrycan customers suspended.
He urged government intervention, calling for the release of national fuel reserves previously announced to stabilise supply and cushion consumers from further price shocks.
Despite the surge in fuel prices, some transport operators say they have maintained current fares. YY Bus management, through manager Charles Elyayo, said transport costs from Dokolo to key destinations remain unchanged, with fares to Kampala at Shs40,000, Soroti at Shs10,000 and Lira at Shs5,000.
However, boda boda operators say the situation is increasingly unsustainable. Mr Emmanuel Otwak, Vice Chairperson of the Cilkom Ngeny Boda Boda Association, said rising fuel costs have reduced passenger volumes and squeezed earnings.
He warned that continued price increases could push transport fares higher, worsening the cost of living for households in the district.
Residents and business operators remain uncertain about when normal fuel supply will resume, with fears mounting over further economic disruption in the coming days.
