2nd March , 2022 , Hits: 3013
The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD) together with the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) have resumed the annual countrywide sensitizations of Ugandans on fuel quality and quantity at different fuel stations in the country, following the lifting of the COVID-19 lockdown.
The Fuel Marking and Quality Monitoring Program implemented by government, designed to control and monitor the quality of petroleum products in the entire supply chain in Uganda, is ongoing in North Western and Western Uganda districts of Masindi, Hoima, Kyenjojo, FortPortal and Kasese.
During the sensitizations, the UNBS Principal Analyst and field supervisor of the Fuel Marking Program, Mr. Peter Kitimbo, revealed that the program has enormously reduced fuel adulteration in the country to less than 1%.
“When MEMD and UNBS started the Fuel Quality Monitoring Program in 2000, the fuel adulteration rates where at 30%. Today however, the rates are down to less than 1% which is good for the consumer.” Mr. Kitimbo said.
Fuel Adulteration refers to an illegal introduction of any foreign substance into fuel to increase its quantity, leading to non-compliance with standard specifications. Fuel adulteration is dangerous because it damages engines of automobiles and cheats the consumer.
Following its mandate to ensure consumer protection, the Government introduced the fuel marking programme which ensures that all fuel meant for local consumption is marked at the border points.
The program also has mobile testing vehicles which is used to do spot samples and testing of fuel quality at all fuel retail stations as well as verifying and calibrating fuel pumps to ensure accuracy of measurements and value for money to the consumers.
During the FMP campaign, motorists and the public at large were also urged to stay alert while buying fuel from the different fuel stations to avoid being cheated;
UNBS encourages the public to report any cheating tendencies by a fuel stations to UNBS using Toll Free line 0800133133 or using our WhatsApp line 0713227580.
About UNBS
The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) is a Government Agency responsible for developing, promoting and enforcing of national standards in the protection of Public Health and Safety, and the Environment against harmful and sub-standard products.
For more information, please contact:
Uganda National Bureau of Standards,
Plot 2 - 12, Bypass Link, Bweyogerere Industrial & Business Park,
P.O Box 6329 Kampala, Uganda.
Telephone: 256 417 333250
Toll Free Line: 0800133133
E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected]
Website: www.unbs.go.ug