You felt it before you saw it.
That boda guy who used to take Shs3,000 from Wandegeya to Kamwokya now wants Shs4,000. The taxi from Gayaza to City Square added Shs500 overnight. Even your ka-small car now swallows Shs50,000 and the gauge still sits on quarter tank.
It’s not your imagination. Fuel has jumped again.
The New Numbers: What You’re Paying Today
As of Friday morning, most TotalEnergies, Shell, and Stabex stations in Kampala are posting:
| Fuel | New Price | Old Price March |
| Petrol | Shs5,450 – Shs5,520 | Shs5,210 |
| Diesel | Shs5,080 – Shs5,150 | Shs4,890 |
| Kerosene | Shs3,750 | Shs3,600 |
That’s Shs240 up on petrol in 30 days. Shs190 up on diesel.
Upcountry is worse. Mbarara is touching Shs5,600. Gulu Shs5,650. Truck transport costs are eating them alive.
Why Now? 3 Reasons Your Wallet Is Bleeding
Forget the complicated oil talk. Here’s why your boda is expensive, in Luganda terms:
Dollar vs Shilling Fight
Uganda buys fuel in dollars. One month ago $1 = Shs3,720. Today $1 = Shs3,810. When the shilling weakens, even if oil prices stay flat, we pay more. Oil companies won’t run charity.
Iran, USA, Israel war —
The missiles flying between Iran, USA, and Israel are not just Middle East news. They’re Kampala news. The Strait of Hormuz handles 20% of the world’s oil, and Iran has threatened to shut it and then open it. Then the US blocks it too, gambling right!!. If that happens, Uganda’s fuel ships from Mombasa will cost double overnight
Kenya’s EPRA Tax Game
Uganda gets 90% of fuel through Mombasa. Kenya’s Energy Regulatory Authority reviewed prices on April 14th. They added taxes. When Kenya sneezes, Uganda gets flu. That extra Shs120 per litre started at the port.
Ramadan + Easter Demand Spike
March–April had heavy travel. Buses to Arua, trucks to Congo, Kampala people going village. High demand globally means ships charge more. That cost landed this week.
So no, your fuel station isn’t “stealing”. The whole chain from ship to Shell Kamwokya just got expensive.
The Domino Effect: What Gets Expensive Next
Fuel isn’t just for cars. It’s for everything.
Boda fares: Most bodas use 1 litre for 35km. Shs240 increase = Shs7 per km extra. Wandegeya to Ntinda is 6km. Expect Shs500 hike minimum. Night rates will be brutal.
Taxi fares: Taxis already met. Kira-Kampala is now Shs3,000 up from Shs2,500. Gayaza Shs4,000. If diesel hits Shs5,200 next month, add another Shs500.
Food: Tomatoes from Mbale come on diesel trucks. Posho from Busoga same story. Maize millers use diesel generators. When transport jumps 10%, matooke follows. Your Shs5k buffet will be Shs6k by May.
Yaka: Umeme runs diesel plants for backup. ERA adjusts tariffs quarterly. If fuel stays high, expect Shs20 more per unit in June.
How to Beat the Pump: 5 Tricks That Actually Work
Crying on X won’t drop prices. These will:
Buy Early Morning or Late Night
Fuel expands in heat. 1 litre at 7AM is denser than 1 litre at 2PM. You get 2% more fuel for same money. Over a month, that’s 1 free litre.
Stop the “Kisirika” Habit
Starting your car 8 times to move 100 meters in Nakasero traffic burns more than driving. If you’re stuck, switch off. Restarting modern cars uses less than idling 30 seconds.
Boda Off-Peak Deals
7AM-9AM and 5PM-8PM = surge pricing. If you can, ride at 10AM or 3PM. Many bodas charge Shs1,000 less because they’re idle. Negotiate: “Tugende Shs3k ssi Shs4k, nedda musana.”
Car Pool = New Side Hustle
You drive Naalya–Industrial Area daily. Put on your WhatsApp status: “2 seats, Shs5k each”. That’s Shs10k daily = Shs200k month. Covers your own fuel.
Check Your Pressure
Under-inflated tyres increase fuel use by 3%. That’s Shs150 every Shs5k you pump. Boda guys, check weekly. Free at most stations.
Will It Drop? Honest Answer: Not Soon
OPEC is cutting production. Dollar is still strong. Kenya’s finance bill has more taxes coming in May.
Expect Shs5,500 petrol by June if nothing changes. Only a strong shilling or global oil crash saves us. Neither is coming next week.
So adjust. Budget. Walk short distances. That trip to Acacia Mall for one coffee? Cancel it.
The Bottom Line
Fuel at Shs5,450 means Kampala just got expensive. Salary didn’t move. But your movement will cost more.
Government won’t subsidize. Oil companies won’t lose money. So the person to save you is you.
Drive smart. Ride smart. Combine errands. And if you see a station selling at Shs5,300, fill up and send location to the group.
We survive together.
