Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has brushed aside concerns over rising fuel prices, telling motorists who cannot afford to drive to simply stay at home, while signalling that leisure travel is not a government priority.
Speaking at the Africa We Build Summit 2026, Museveni said his recent discussions with William Ruto focused less on pump prices for ordinary motorists and more on the cost of aviation fuel, which he described as critical to the economy.
According to the president, jet fuel carries far greater economic weight than road fuel, given its role in supporting tourism and exports. He warned that high aviation fuel costs could deter international visitors and undermine trade competitiveness.
Museveni urged regional governments to prioritise lowering jet fuel prices, downplaying the broader impact of rising fuel costs on motorists.
“I would not have bothered President Ruto so much for fuel, especially people who are driving on the road. If the fuel is expensive, stay at home, where are you going,” he said.
“I’m not worried about you. What I was worried about is jet fuel, because jet fuel is not only for travel, it is also for tourism. If the cost of jet fuel is high, tourists will not come. It is also for export because aircraft are used for export.”
He added that travel for leisure was not a pressing concern, remarking: “People who are going to nightclubs and other things, I don’t care so much about them. If you don’t have the money, stay at home.”
The Ugandan leader further revealed that he had pushed for a coordinated approach between Kenya and Uganda on fuel pipeline management, particularly to stabilise the supply and pricing of jet fuel.
“That is why I engaged President Ruto, so that the governments of Kenya and Uganda can have a common voice on the pipeline, mainly because of jet fuel,” he said.
His remarks come amid mounting pressure across East Africa over the rising cost of living, with fuel prices a key driver of inflation.
Across the region, fuel costs remain uneven, with Kenya emerging as the most expensive market. Kenyan motorists currently pay about 206.97 shillings per litre for petrol and 206.84 shillings for diesel, the highest in the region and notable for the unusually narrow gap between the two.
Rwanda follows closely, with petrol priced at 203.17 shillings and diesel at 194.52. Tanzania and Uganda offer comparatively lower rates, with Tanzanian petrol at 189.81 shillings and diesel at 189.11.
In Uganda, petrol stands at 184.55 shillings per litre, while diesel is significantly cheaper at 174.10, reflecting a wider price gap between the two fuels.
Ethiopia stands out as the region’s lowest-cost market, with petrol at 109.36 shillings and diesel at 115.70—nearly half of Kenya’s prices and the only case where diesel is more expensive than petrol.
