Pastor Martin Ssempa has written an open letter to the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness and the Office of the Prime Minister, accusing government of failing to prepare for rising global fuel pressures that have pushed up transport and commodity prices across Uganda.
In the statement, Ssempa says the country is now feeling the impact of what he describes as a predictable global energy shock following escalating tensions in the Middle East, which he links to disruptions in oil supply routes and reduced global supply.
He argues that Uganda should have acted earlier to cushion itself from the impact, warning that the situation is now affecting households and businesses.
Concerns over fuel supply and prices
Ssempa claims that national fuel reserves in Jinja are nearly depleted, leaving the country with limited buffer stock.
He also points to rising pump prices in some areas, which he says have climbed to between UGX 8,000 and UGX 10,000 per litre.
He says the situation is already being felt by boda boda operators, traders and farmers, who rely heavily on fuel for transport and production.
“The failure of preparedness is clear,” he stated. “Where were the warning systems and mitigation plans for ordinary Ugandans?”
His comments also criticise what he terms as repeated assurances from authorities that supply remains stable despite reports of shortages and rising costs in parts of the country.
Government position and public pressure
Authorities have in recent days maintained that fuel supply remains steady, while acknowledging that global price fluctuations are affecting local markets.
Officials have urged the public not to panic-buy, saying supply chains are still functioning.
However, concerns over rising transport fares and increasing costs of basic goods have continued to grow, especially in urban centres where dependence on fuel is high.
Boda boda riders in particular have reported reduced earnings as fuel prices eat into their daily income, while consumers are also feeling the knock-on effect on food and transport costs.
Calls for stronger planning
Ssempa is calling for a shift in how Uganda handles national emergencies, arguing that the country needs stronger planning systems rather than reacting after crises emerge.
He says disaster preparedness should include energy planning, especially for essential sectors like transport, agriculture and trade.
“We need leadership that anticipates problems and prepares for them,” he said.