The 2021-2026 presidential candidate, John Katumba

As fuel prices rise with a vengeance, a litre of petrol now exceeds Shs5,000 in most parts of the country. The sharp markup in fuel prices has plunged many Ugandans into the mixed reactions of openmouthed shock and growing anger, feelings which the former presidential candidate hopes to address.

In his letter dated January 15, 2022, to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Martin Okoth Ochola, Katumba informed the IGP of his plans to highlight the escalating fuel prices through a peaceful procession through the city of Kampala.

Katumba says his demonstration is in the public interest and is intended to make sure a bad situation does not get any worse.

“Due to the rapid increasing fuel prices that have frustrated our motherland’s economy because of individual selfish interests, we therefore inform you that we shall practice our constitutional right of holding a peaceful protest against the above situation for the betterment of our nation,” Katumba noted.

Officials in Kampala have revealed that the rising fuel prices are a result of the buildup of fuel trucks at the Kenya-Uganda border points of Malaba and Busia.

This buildup arose out of the mandatory Covid-19 testing of all truck drivers at a mandatory fee of Ugx100,000 (3,600 Kshs.) as they crossed to the Ugandan side.

The directive for mandatory Covid-19 testing was issued early this month.

However, this week Ruth Nankabirwa, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, said fuel supply and its related prices would return to normal once the trucks are cleared. However, Katumba, who polled 0.35% in January elections, will still take to the streets in order to quicken the return to normality.