Ruto made the remarks on April 22, 2026, while addressing officials in Kenya, where he outlined Nairobi’s intention to secure a strategic stake in Uganda’s downstream petroleum sector.
He emphasized that Kenya’s participation would not only guarantee fuel security for the country but also strengthen regional integration under the East African Community framework.

The refinery, a flagship project championed by President Yoweri Museveni, is being developed in western Uganda with financing led by UAE-based Alpha MBM Investments LLC.

The project, estimated at about $4 billion, will have a capacity of 60,000 barrels per day and is expected to significantly reduce Uganda’s dependence on imported petroleum products.

The deal with the UAE investors was formalized on April 19, 2025, at State House Entebbe, where President Museveni hosted representatives of Alpha MBM Investments LLC.

During the meeting, Uganda and the investors signed key agreements paving the way for the development of the refinery, marking a significant milestone in the country’s oil and gas sector.

Ruto said Kenya intends to take an equity stake in the refinery, joining the UAE investors and the Uganda National Oil Company, which represents the Ugandan government in the project.

The move is aimed at strengthening regional energy security and ensuring Kenya benefits from downstream petroleum developments in the region.

Under the existing arrangement signed in 2025, Alpha MBM holds a majority 60 percent stake in the refinery, while Uganda retains 40 percent through its national oil company. The entry of Kenya would further broaden the ownership structure and deepen East African cooperation in the oil and gas sector.

The refinery is part of Uganda’s broader strategy to maximize value from its estimated 6.5 billion barrels of crude oil reserves and transition from exporting raw crude to producing refined petroleum products locally.

Officials say the facility will supply fuel to Uganda and neighboring markets, including Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Ruto’s announcement underscores growing energy integration between Uganda and Kenya, which have in recent months strengthened ties through joint investments in infrastructure such as pipelines and fuel supply chains.

Uganda has already acquired a significant stake in Kenya’s pipeline system, reflecting increasing interdependence in the region’s petroleum sector.

Analysts say Kenya’s planned investment in the refinery could help secure stable fuel supplies for the region while reducing reliance on imports and global market volatility. It also positions Nairobi to benefit from Uganda’s emerging oil industry, especially as first oil production draws closer.

Construction of the refinery is expected to take several years, with operations projected to begin around the end of the decade.

Once completed, the facility is anticipated to play a central role in transforming Uganda into a regional petroleum hub and boosting industrialization across East Africa.

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The circular, issued by the Ministry of Infrastructure on April 14 and made public on Tuesday, said all institutions are required to comply with the set percentage vehicle requirement in their procurement plans.

All public institutions are required to ensure that at least 30 percent of vehicles procured are fully electric vehicles, effective from the signature date, as part of efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower reliance on fossil fuels and promote sustainable and clean mobility solutions, according to the circular signed by Minister of State for Infrastructure Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye.

In order to accelerate the e-mobility uptake, the Rwandan government has put in place several incentives, including the introduction of lower electricity tariffs for electric vehicle charging as well as the exemption of duties for electric vehicles and their accessories.

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In a statement issued on Tuesday, UNOC attributed potential price variations to factors including exchange rate movements and global political developments, noting that the government is closely monitoring the situation to ensure prices remain within manageable levels.

The company said that recent fuel stockouts reported at some filling stations were caused by logistical and operational challenges affecting individual retailers, rather than a nationwide shortage.

Addressing higher pump prices in border towns such as Arua, which borders the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan, and Tororo, near western Kenya, UNOC said the increases were driven by naturally higher cross-border demand.

“Individual oil marketing companies have been engaged where unjustified increases in retail pricing have been noticed,” the statement said.

UNOC reassured the public that the country has sufficient fuel reserves, with additional supplies expected between May and June.

According to the company, current petrol stocks of 70.5 million liters are sufficient for 19 days, while diesel reserves of 43.2 million liters can last 12 days. Jet fuel stocks of 32 million liters are expected to last 53 days.

“The public is therefore advised to remain calm and avoid panic purchases, because there is no cause for concern regarding fuel availability. The government remains committed to ensuring energy security, market stability, and transparent communication at all times,” UNOC said. Enditem

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Asia’s share of global GDP is projected to continue its upward trajectory, rising from 49.2 percent in 2025 to 49.7 percent in 2026 on a purchasing power parity basis, according to the report titled “Asian Economic Outlook and Integration Progress Annual Report 2026.”

The foundations of Asian trade integration have continued to strengthen, the report noted, citing data that intra-regional trade dependence edged up from 56.3 percent in 2023 to 57.2 percent in 2024, as major economies across the region increasingly orient their trade ties toward one another.

“China and ASEAN continue to stand out as the region’s twin ‘anchors of stability’,” the report pointed out.

Asia-Pacific economies are increasingly transitioning from individual integration into global value chains toward a model of shared regional integration, with many advancing up the value chain ladder buoyed by support from within the region, it said.

The region also continues to be the world’s premier destination for foreign direct investment, recognized for its resilience, growth potential and enduring appeal to global investors, with China and ASEAN leading as the most attractive destinations, it said.

On the tech front, the report said the global epicenter of artificial intelligence (AI) development is progressively shifting from Europe and the United States toward Asia.

“Capitalizing on their substantial digital populations, diverse application ecosystems, and coherent policy frameworks, Asian economies are rapidly evolving from AI followers into frontrunners,” it said.

Founded in 2001, the BFA is a non-governmental and non-profit international organization committed to promoting regional economic integration and bringing Asian countries closer to their development goals.

Running from March 24 to 27, this year’s conference is themed “Shaping a Shared Future: New Dynamics, New Opportunities, New Cooperation.”

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The general license, issued by the department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, authorized the delivery and sales of crude oil and petroleum products of Iranian origin loaded on vessels as of Friday.

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Recent videos and images circulating on various social media platforms show individuals siphoning fuel from moving trucks within the city, an act which analysts say could spark deadly disasters.

This newspaper understands that Uganda has in the past witnessed deadly accidents where people who tried to siphon fuel were killed when the fuel caught fire.

Hotspots for fuel siphoning include Busia, Jinja, and Banda as well as Northern Bypass and Namuwongo area.

Kampala police spokesperson Patrick Onyango told this newspaper they were investigating cases of fuel siphoning in the said areas.

He warned those involved of severe punishment once arrested.

VITOL-UNOC deal

Vitol Energy partnered with the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) to become the sole importer of petroleum products into Uganda.

This partnership aims to ensure a more reliable and potentially cost-effective supply of fuel for the country.

The agreement was prompted by Uganda’s desire to move away from the Open Tender System (OTS) and Government-to-Government (G2G) approach used by Kenya, which was seen as potentially impacting pump prices

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The First Lady commended companies such as SMS Construction, Steal & tube for their outstanding service and commitment to gender inclusion.

Mrs Museveni who was inaugurating the Women in Construction Symposium 2025 at the Kololo Independence Grounds on Friday Mrs. Museveni commended women for delivering quality of work.

The symposium was organised by the Uganda National Association of Builders, Suppliers, and Engineering Contractors (UNABSEC) together with the Pan-African Chamber of Commerce (South Africa).

“We believe in quality service delivery as a government, and SMS Construction, along with Steel & Tube, Roofings, Uganda Baati, Simba Cement, and others, have demonstrated that commitment under the guidance of UNABSEC,” the First Lady said.

“I encourage you all to continue your good work. The government is ready to walk this journey with you,” she added.

The symposium is running under the theme, “Levelling the Ground to Upscale Effective Participation of Women in Construction and Infrastructure Development.”

The First Lady emphasized the importance of offering jobs to women in the sector, adding: “I have seen women engineers and quantity surveyors from different Construction companies and other companies, and I’m proud of their contributions.”

“I call on all company directors to open more doors for women. They are equally capable of delivering high-quality services.” she stated.

The President of UNABSEC Kiara Binta Nkuranga, called for inclusivity in giving jobs to w the association’s first female president, echoed the call for inclusivity.

“We need to see women beyond roles like flag bearers and tea girls. It’s time to empower them as project managers, site engineers, and leaders,” she said.

Nkuranga also announced the launch of the Women in Construction Uganda Chapter, a landmark initiative designed to support, mentor, and advocate for women professionals in the sector.

“This chapter will serve as a one-stop-centre for data collection and support systems to bridge existing gaps in women’s participation,” she added. “We want to ensure visibility and connectivity for women plumbers, welders, and other skilled workers.”

She further appealed to the First Lady to help make construction-related courses more attractive to young girls. “Your presence here, as the highest-ranking woman in the country, inspires confidence in this movement,” she said.

SMS Construction Director Ainea Ashaba expressed gratitude for the First Lady’s support and reaffirmed the company’s dedication to delivering high-quality services while promoting gender equality.

“At SMS Construction, we are committed to excellence across Uganda and the East African region. We also pledge to continue offering opportunities to women in our industry,” said Ashaba. “We thank the Ugandan government for its unwavering support.”

The Women in Construction Symposium 2025 marks a significant step forward in redefining gender roles in Uganda’s construction sector and sets the stage for sustained efforts toward inclusivity and quality service.

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Lira, Uganda. Okwir Joel, a local businessman and former chairperson of the Railway Division land committee, was arraigned Friday at Lira Chief Magistrate Court on charges of attempted felony, uttering false documents, and creating forged paperwork.

In a plaint against Mr Okwir, the Director of Public Prosecutions working on evidence collected by a joint investigation by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit  (SH-ACU) and Criminal Investigations Directorate, it is alleged Joel fraudulently acquired a leasehold certificate of title for a protected forest reserve in Railways Quarters A village, Lira Municipality.

Investigations revealed that in September 2021, Joel, leveraging his role as land committee chairperson, submitted land application forms to the Lira Municipal Zonal Office (MZO), falsely claiming customary ownership of the plot.

Investigators revealed that the land is legally designated as a forest reserve under Lira Municipal Council’s urban development plan.

Key evidence includes a forged minute extract from a supposed physical planning committee meeting dated December 20, 2019 (referenced as LMC PPC 083/12/2020), which prosecutors argue was fabricated to falsely indicate approval of Okwir’s application. The document allegedly misrepresented committee endorsement for land allocation.

Chief Magistrate Judith Achieng remanded Okwir until October 15, 2024, pending further inquiries.

The fraud has drawn scrutiny over land governance in Lira, where disputes over reserves and communal lands are frequent. SH-ACU headed by Brig Henry Isoke is keen  to safeguarding ecological zones, while activists call for stricter oversight of land committees.

If convicted, Joel faces up to seven years imprisonment under the Penal Code. His lawyers contested the charges, citing procedural gaps in documentation. The case resumes next month.

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