Who is to blame for the fuel shortage?

Ugandans have suffered misery, hunger, famine, and even death as a result of the COVID19 pandemic-related lockdown since it began. Ugandans collaborated with the government’s efforts to stop the spread of the disease. “Let’s lockdown,” Ugandans said in unison for the first time. Ugandans agreed with President Museveni’s choice.

After a long period of time, it became evident that Uganda needed to liberalize its economy. Everything was falling apart; nonetheless, Ugandans had done their best to hold on and battle for economic survival.

Poverty rates were alarmingly high, and the economy needed to be liberalized. All of this was so obvious that the President declared, “Whether we meet our immunization targets or not, we will open the economy in January.” He made a difficult decision, but it was for the greater welfare of Ugandans.

This was a clear message that the economy would be opened, whether the Ministry of Health liked it or not. It was time to call it quits.

The economy eventually opened up, and a new obstacle in the form of school fees arose. Fees increased, but the ministry of education did everything it could to keep them from rising further. This helped to alleviate Ugandans’ suffering. Ugandans, as is customary, are fighters and tenacious individuals, even when the odds are stacked against them.

seem to be working against their interests. Ugandans wake up to a surge in fuel prices, just as everyone is thinking about getting back to work and collecting the broken pieces of their businesses.

Ugandans initially assumed that this was a problem caused by the ministry of finance, but in the interim, the permanent secretary to the ministry of finance comes out and tweets that the spike in fuel prices is unrelated to economics (not the finance ministry), implying that the cause of the spike in fuel prices was something else entirely.

Everything that is done in the dark eventually comes to light, as the saying goes. As Ugandans considered blaming the new Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, new information emerges.

What is the source of this shoddy planning?

The Ministry’s decision to test truck drivers for 30 dollars is now recognized to be the source of the gasoline price hikes. The drivers objected because they were subjected to two separate tests in Kenya and Uganda.

The knock-on effect of this decision has resulted in even more losses for Ugandans, as fuel prices have risen, more businesses have closed, transportation expenses have risen, and general prices of other goods have risen, among other repercussions on enterprises whose components Ugandans were beginning to recall.

After this has occurred and Ugandans have been harmed, the ministry of health decides to test truck drivers for free. This is when it appears to be a joke;

Why did the ministry of health charge the truck drivers the $30 in the first place if it says it will now test them free of charge?

Who will now pay for the 30 dollars that have been cancelled now that the tests will be free in order to reduce the effects of fuel spikes? Has Diana Atwine, the Secretary of State for Health, requested or intends to request another additional budget?

Because if she claims the ministry of health requires a supplemental budget to test every truck drives for free so that fuel prices aren’t influenced any longer, Ugandans as taxpayers and the entire parliament that supports it will be obvious.

Finally, while making decisions, does the Ministry of Health follow a clear chain of command? Are they aware of how many decisions they’ve made that have had a negative impact on Ugandans?

Are they aware that their poor planning, which resulted in a spike in fuel prices, resulted in a spike in the prices of certain goods and services, which will hardly go down even if fuel supply is restored?

Ugandans have given everything (in taxes), and other ministries have given up their budgets (due to budget cuts) in order to help the ministry of health plan for Uganda’s response to the pandemic. And in the midst of it all, Diana Atwine, the ministry of health’s chief planner, is the best.

This is a clear indication that no consultations with other relevant ministries were conducted prior to the implementation of some decisions. This event should serve as a sobering lesson for us all. In the long run, when the economy fails, an increase in fuel prices can even lead to the downfall of a government.

Is the Ministry of Health laughing at Ugandans?

On a different issue, if the government wants to show Ugandans that it cares, it should temporarily eliminate fuel taxes. This will result in a significant reduction in fuel prices, giving Ugandans a head start in the entire economy. This advice may seem far-fetched, but with the help of Ramathan Ggoobi, I am confident that a path ahead in economics can be constructed.