2023-11-10 13:47:59
The move was prompted by concerns regarding the displacement of local oil marketing companies. The Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) had applied to be registered as an oil marketing company in Kenya, a status which would have allowed it access to the Kenya Pipeline Company’s facilities.
However, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority rejected the request, stating that UNOC might not meet certain requirements. The move has far-reaching implications for both countries as Uganda currently sources regarding 90% of its fuel from Kenya, a dependency that will see a dramatic change from 2024.
Uganda has signed a contract with Vitol Bahrain EC and will therefore stop purchasing fuel from Kenyan companies from that year. The refusal to register UNOC as an oil marketing company in Kenya highlights the complexity of cross-border business operations and regulatory obligations.
Meanwhile, the diplomatic scene is shaped by the evolving dynamics of colonial legacies and attempts to address historical injustices. Recent visits by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to Tanzania and British King Charles III to Kenya have brought these issues into sharp relief.
Mr. Steinmeier asked for “forgiveness” for the colonial atrocities committed by Germany in Tanzania, proposing to repatriate the remains of the heroes of the anti-colonial war. King Charles III has expressed “regret” for the injustices committed by British colonial governors in Kenya, notably during the Mau Mau War.
While historical reconciliation is an essential aspect, economic interests are also at stake, according to analysts.
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