FDC Blames Government Over Rising Fuel Prices

The Forum for Democratic Change has accused the government of failing to prepare Uganda for fuel supply shocks, calling for emergency tax waivers and restoration of national fuel reserves as pump prices continue to rise amid tensions in global oil markets.

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has blamed the government for failing to prepare the country for fuel crises, demanding emergency tax waivers and the restoration of national fuel reserves following sharp increases in pump prices across Uganda.

Speaking during the party’s weekly media briefing at the FDC headquarters in Najjanankumbi on Thursday, FDC president Patrick Oboi Amuriat said the rising fuel prices had exposed what he described as years of government negligence in planning for economic shocks.

Fuel prices have risen significantly in recent weeks, with some filling stations reportedly increasing pump prices by nearly 150 percent. The increases have been linked to escalating geopolitical tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran, which have affected global oil markets.

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Amuriat argued that while Uganda cannot directly control international oil prices, government should have established systems capable of cushioning citizens against external market disruptions.

“Whereas Uganda may not be able to control international price escalations, any functioning government maintains fuel reserves enough to sustain the country for at least six months without price increases even as global prices rise,” he said.

He accused the ruling National Resistance Movement government of dismantling strategic fuel reserves that existed before 1986 and ignoring repeated calls by the opposition to restore them.

“When the NRM came to power in 1986, fuel reserves existed in this country. They dismantled them and sold some of them to private investors. For the last 20 years, we have advised them to revive these reserves, but they have ignored us,” Amuriat said.

The FDC leader called on government to urgently introduce temporary tax waivers on fuel and fuel-dependent products in order to stabilize prices and reduce pressure on households and businesses already struggling with the rising cost of living.

The opposition party also used the briefing to caution government against imposing what it termed excessive restrictions in response to the Ebola outbreak recently declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization.

Amuriat warned against repeating measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, which he said left many Ugandans economically devastated.

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“We want to caution government against repeating the mistakes made during the COVID-19 lockdowns which left many Ugandans economically shattered and struggling to recover even up to today,” he said.

The FDC criticised the cancellation of national Uganda Martyrs' Day celebrations, restrictions on public gatherings, lockdowns in parts of the country including the greater Mubende area, and the closure of businesses and border points with the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Amuriat said government should balance disease prevention efforts with the need to protect livelihoods.

“Government should prioritize measures that stop the spread of the disease while allowing Ugandans to continue earning a living wherever possible,” he said.

The party also expressed concern over possible corruption during the Ebola response, citing alleged cases of inflated procurements and financial mismanagement during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite the criticism, FDC commended frontline health workers involved in the Ebola response and pledged support for dissemination of World Health Organization guidelines aimed at controlling the spread of the disease.

Meanwhile, the party’s National Executive Committee has commenced a two-day meeting at the headquarters to adopt a one-year strategic plan following the general election.

The committee is also expected to fill several vacant leadership positions left by officials who defected to other political parties, including the NRM, National Unity Platform and the People's Front for Freedom.

“One Uganda One People,” Amuriat said.

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