Energy ministry and UNBS tasked with 1,773 sub-standard fuel stations

The 57 per cent represents 1,773 fuel stations out of the 3,132 fuel stations in the country that underwent a compliance assessment. The substandard fuel stations don't meet the required standards under the US 947-1:2019.

The assessment swept the eastern, central, and western regions in the period that ended June 2022 indicating that only 1,359 fuel stations were up to standard.

The US 947-1:2019 standards require operators of fuel stations to meet certain requirements during design, build, and operations. These include specific conditions for designing and positioning the service station, as well as setting up and operating equipment for the storage and distribution of petroleum products.

The standards help reduce the risk of accidents and environmental harm while securing the safe operation of the service stations.

The standards are enforced by both the Ministry of Energy and Uganda Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) at the licensing and supervision levels.

In 2019, when other specifications of the standard requirements like the installation of pressurised storage tanks, were introduced on March 26, the Ministry of Energy and UNBS published a list of 75 fuel stations that were caught selling adulterated fuel. The culprits had failed the quarterly fuel marking exercise which protects fuel quality.

When asked about the report findings, the Commissioner for petroleum supply at the Ministry of Energy, Rev. Frank Tukwasibwe said the matter would be tabled internally and at Parliament after which government will implement measures for compliance.

“We [the Ministry of Energy] will first talk about it internally and address the issue,” he said.

The non-compliant fuel stations present challenges like dealing in adulterated and smuggled fuel.

According to the Auditor General's report, the culprits will be sealed off in addition to penalties and will only reopen after putting in place satisfactory remedial actions. They will also be required to write an undertaking of not committing a similar offense for the remainder of their operating license period.

“Review of the compliance assessment results of 3,132 fuel stations assessed in central, eastern and western regions against the different clauses of US 947-1:2019 standards revealed that a total of 1,773, which is 57 per cent, contravened required standards,” the report reads in part.