Uganda adds labs to fight fuel fraud
Uganda’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development has strengthened its fight against fuel fraud by adding two new high-tech mobile laboratories to its enforcement fleet, bringing the national total to 10. The units were handed over in Kampala on October 30, 2025, by SICPA Uganda, the technical partner behind the government’s Fuel Marking and Quality Monitoring Programme.
These mobile labs enable real-time, on-site testing of fuel quality at retail stations and transport checkpoints across the country. Equipped with automated analyzers, they allow a single technician to quickly detect adulteration or tax evasion, ensuring all fuel meets national standards. The programme uses unique chemical markers to trace petroleum products throughout the supply chain, curbing smuggling and protecting consumers from substandard fuel that can damage vehicles.
Officials say the expanded fleet will significantly boost nationwide coverage and deter illicit activity. Steven Barisigara, FQMP Project Coordinator, said the addition enhances the ministry’s ability to monitor fuel quality everywhere. Peter Kitimbo of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards noted the system has already improved tax compliance and government revenue. Since its launch, the programme has increased market transparency and reinforced fiscal integrity in Uganda’s energy sector.
