The current fuel crisis in the country, which is a direct consequence of the post-election crisis in Kenya, may soon see all domestic aircraft grounded, according to the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) Friday.

The shortage of aviation fuel has already seen one of the domestic airlines, Eagle Air suspend most of its operations. Therefore, the UCAA says the situation may get worse if a solution is not sought soon.

One of the leading companies operating domestic flights, Eagle Air on Friday announced the suspension of flights to Arua, Moyo, Gulu and Pader in northern Uganda plus Yei and Juba in Southern Sudan. The suspension results from shortage of aviation fuel Jet A1, which is just like petrol, and which is brought into the county through the Kenyan port of Mombasa, which has since been closed following the post-election mayhem.

Although the Uganda minister of Energy, Daudi Migereko asserted that the country has enough reserve fuel and that there is no need for panic, this has proved on the contrary as the real situation on the ground is different with most cars now grounded.

The UCAA spokesperson, Mr. Ignie Igunduura said Friday that local airlines do not have much option left to them but to suspend flights.

Uganda was hit by the shortage three days ago, and it is still unclear when the situation will be corrected. The government has indicated plans of using Mwanza and Dar-es-salaam in Tanzania for bringing in its imports. .

In Kampala, the capital, the number of vehicles along the roads is almost countable as many people have been forced to park their cars. The few filling stations which still have fuel though limited have hiked prices to more than double the original price.

However, the minister for Energy Friday assured Ugandans that army escorts have travelled to Kenya to secure tankers bringing petroleum and other merchandise to Uganda and the fuel crisis might soon be averted.

JM/daj/APA 04-01-2008

© APA News