Uganda to introduce bioethanol blends in new year

Uganda will require fuel distributors to blend locally produced ethanol into all petrol sold in the country starting January next year.
The move aims to reduce the country’s $2 billion (€1.7 billion) annual petroleum import bill and support the transition to cleaner energy.
The initiative is part of a broader government policy to promote renewable energy sources and cut carbon emissions. Ethanol, mainly derived from molasses — a byproduct of sugar production — will be used for the fuel blend.
Initially, petrol must contain a minimum of 5% ethanol, with plans to increase the ratio to 20% over time, subject to the availability of local supply, the ministry said.
Uganda, which is landlocked, awarded exclusive rights to supply petroleum products to a unit of global energy trader Vitol in 2023.
The country also expects to begin commercial crude oil production next year, with exports planned via a pipeline to Tanzania’s Indian Ocean port.