MEMD, UNBS ANNOUNCE OVER 99% COMPLIANCE RATE FOR FUEL QUALITY IN UGANDA

  25th March , 2024 ,       Hits: 290

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD) together with the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) have announced a 99.3% compliance rate for fuel quality in Uganda.

The remarks were made by the Assistant Commissioner in the Petroleum Supply Department at MEMD, Mr. John Friday, during the routine Fuel Marking and Quality Monitoring program (FMQMP) sensitisation drives in the Western districts of Uganda; Kasanda, Mityana, Mubende, Kyegegwa, Kyenjojo, Fortportal and Bundibugyo.

“Compliance has improved. We are now operating at 99.3% compliance for the fuel on the market. The few areas reported for adulteration usually mix petroleum products with paraffin, however, we hold them accountable in line with penalties enshrined in the Petroleum Supply Act.” Said Mr. John Friday.

According to the field supervisor of the Fuel Marking and Quality monitoring program, who also doubles as a Principal Analyst at UNBS Petroleum laboratories, Mr. Peter Kitimbo, there are 4,877 registered fuel stations and that less than 1% of these are non-compliant and are dealt with according to the law.

“The law empowers us to seal off a non-compliant fuel station of a first time offender, and charge them a penalty amounting to 10% of the amount got after multiplying the volumes of fuel found in the tank by the pump price, at the time of the seal off. For a second time offender, you are penalised as mentioned and also receive a warning from the Commissioner in charge of Petroleum Supply at MEMD, For a third time offender, the license is revoked and a fourth time offender is discharged from business.” Mr. Kitimbo Explained.

He thus called upon all fuel stations in the country to comply with the standards and seek registration with MEMD. He also urged motorists to purchase fuel from registered fuel stations, whose fuel pumps bear UNBS stickers, to ensure consumption of good quality and quantity of fuel products. 

“We regulate quality and quantity of petroleum products at registered fuel stations and we urge the public to avoid buying petroleum products sold in bottles and jerrycans because we do not know the quality of such products.” Said Mr. Kitimbo.

He further asserted that fuel MUST be sold in regulated places and urged local authorities to ensure that residents stop selling fuel in bottles and jerrycans.

UNBS encourages the public to report any dealers of substandard fuel as well as cheating tendencies by a fuel stations using Toll Free line 0800133133 / 0800233233 or using our WhatsApp line 0713227580.

The Fuel Marking and Quality Monitoring Program, implemented by government through MEMD and UNBS, is designed to control and monitor the quality of petroleum products in the entire supply chain in Uganda.

About UNBS

The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) is a Government Agency responsible for developing, promoting and enforcing of national standards in the protection of Public Health and Safety, and the Environment against harmful and sub-standard products.

For more information, please contact:

 

Sylvia Kirabo,

Principal Public Relations Officer,

Uganda National Bureau of Standards,

Plot 2 - 12, Bypass Link, Bweyogerere Industrial & Business Park,

P.O Box 6329 Kampala, Uganda.

Telephone: 256 417 333250

Toll Free Line: 0800133133

E-mail: info@unbs.go.ug   / ed@unbs.go.ug      

Website: www.unbs.go.ug