Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni has disclosed that a Kenyan senator informed him about the country's use of fuel middlemen in Kenya, prompting a change in petroleum import policies. The revelation, made on September 17, aligns with ongoing criticisms of the Government-to-Government (G-to-G) fuel deal between Kenya and Uganda. Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, a vocal critic of the arrangement, stated that Museveni's comments validate his concerns about the deal.
Gachagua has long argued that the G-to-G agreement, which was intended to streamline fuel imports, has been undermined by middlemen exploiting the system. Museveni's admission that he was alerted to the issue by a Kenyan senator suggests a growing tension between the two neighboring nations over fuel trade practices. The president emphasized that the information led to a reevaluation of Uganda's procurement strategy, highlighting the impact of cross-border intelligence on regional policy decisions.
The situation underscores the complexities of regional energy cooperation in East Africa. While the G-to-G deal was designed to reduce costs and improve transparency, the involvement of middlemen has raised questions about its effectiveness. Museveni's remarks and Gachagua's response reflect a broader debate on how to manage shared resources and trade relationships in the region. The outcome of this policy shift remains to be seen, but it signals a potential shift in how fuel is sourced and managed between the two countries.
