The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has demanded a review of fuel taxes and full disclosure of petroleum procurement costs, warning that rising fuel prices and the cost of living are placing increasing pressure on Ugandan households and businesses.
The party wants the government to publish a breakdown of fuel procurement costs, taxes, profit margins and pump-price changes, alongside an emergency plan to cushion consumers against further increases.
In a media statement signed by FDC Vice Chairperson Centenary Robert Franco, the party criticised the government’s response to rising fuel prices, arguing that asking Ugandans to reduce unnecessary travel does little to address the economic pressures facing ordinary citizens.
“How do you tell a boda-boda rider to stop moving when movement is how they earn a living?” Franco asked in the statement.
“How do you tell a trader, a farmer or an ordinary worker to stay home when their livelihoods depend on getting to work, reaching markets and serving their customers?”
The party said the government should instead introduce practical measures to reduce the country’s vulnerability to international oil-price shocks, including strategic fuel storage, transparent procurement, responsible taxation and diversified supply arrangements.
Franco said the economic hardship was exposing the difficulties Ugandans continue to face in converting their work into better living standards despite decades of government promises of economic transformation.
“Across the country, families are struggling to afford food, transport, rent, school requirements, electricity and other necessities,” the statement reads.
The party wants the government to disclose the operational status of Uganda’s petroleum storage facilities, their usable capacity, and the number of days existing fuel stocks could sustain essential demand during supply disruptions without triggering price increases.
FDC also called for an account of the management of fuel reserves inherited by the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government, alleging that some facilities were neglected while others were sold to private companies.
The demand comes amid mounting scrutiny of fuel prices and supply security. On October 8, Parliament reported that lawmakers had demanded a breakdown of the prices at which the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) supplies fuel to oil marketing companies.
Energy Minister Monica Musenero told Parliament on October 7 that rising fuel prices were being driven by several factors, including depreciation of the shilling, a Shs200 excise-duty increase introduced in the 2026/2027 financial year and international supply pressures.
The minister also said UNOC helps cushion Uganda against international price shocks. The Daily Monitor reported on October 11 that the shilling had weakened beyond Shs4,100 against the US dollar, while diesel prices had risen above Shs7,100 per litre. The currency’s depreciation adds pressure to the cost of imported petroleum products. FDC wants the government to review fuel taxation and import-related taxes, as well as implement measures to ease foreign-exchange pressures that contribute to the cost of essential goods.
The government has previously acknowledged the importance of strengthening fuel storage infrastructure. In September, President Yoweri Museveni presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for a 320-million-litre Kampala Storage Terminal in Mpigi District, a project intended to strengthen petroleum reserves and improve supply security.
According to the Office of the President, Uganda’s existing national petroleum storage capacity was estimated at 160 million litres, including the 30-million-litre Jinja facility, a 70-million-litre facility at Kawuku and approximately 60 million litres operated by private companies. The new terminal is expected to take about 24 months to complete.
FDC, however, wants the government to go beyond infrastructure expansion and provide clear information on current usable stocks, procurement arrangements and the country’s ability to withstand supply disruptions. The party acknowledged that Uganda cannot dictate global oil prices but argued that domestic policy can help limit the impact on consumers.
FDC also called for the repeal of the Protection of Sovereignty Act, arguing that restrictions on international economic relationships could undermine remittances, foreign investment and other financial flows.The party said Uganda’s economic fortunes remain linked to international trade and investment, warning that policies that weaken those connections could worsen existing economic difficulties.
In April 2026, the Bank of Uganda warned Parliament that the proposed Protection of Sovereignty Bill could affect cross-border financial flows, including remittances and foreign investment, and potentially put pressure on foreign-exchange reserves. FDC further questioned Uganda’s continued trade deficit, calling for increased investment in local production, manufacturing and agro-processing to reduce import dependence and strengthen exports.
The party said its 2026 manifesto, titled Fixing the Economy; Money in Our Pockets, proposes measures to improve household incomes, expand employment and make credit more accessible to productive businesses. Under the plan, an FDC-led government would increase agriculture’s share of the national budget to 10 per cent within its first three years in office and establish a National Bank for Agricultural Finance to provide affordable, long-term lending to farmers and businesses.
The proposals also include constructing 150 grain silos across the country, restoring cooperatives and the cooperative bank, expanding agricultural processing and improving farmers’ access to credit and markets. FDC also proposes reviewing public expenditure to identify unnecessary administrative costs, strengthen procurement oversight and redirect resources towards essential services and productive investment.
On accountability, the party called for regular public reports on the implementation of recommendations by the Auditor General and the Inspectorate of Government, alongside action on substantiated corruption findings through lawful processes. The party urged the government to publish an emergency plan to mitigate fuel-price shocks, protect essential transport and food supplies, and maintain productive economic activity. It said the proposed measures would help reduce food losses, strengthen food security, create jobs and enable Uganda to produce more of the goods it consumes.