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Uganda Takes Kenya to Court Over Fuel Pipeline Dispute
A long-simmering dispute between Kenya and Uganda over fuel imports has boiled over, splashing into the corridors of the East African Court of Justice (EACJ). Uganda has filed a lawsuit accusing Kenya of unfairly restricting its access to the crucial Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) infrastructure for transporting refined petroleum products from Mombasa port.
The heart of the matter lies in Uganda’s desire to bypass Kenyan oil marketing companies (OMCs) and import fuel directly through its state-owned Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC). This shift would bypass the current system, where Kenyan OMCs buy and resell fuel to Ugandan counterparts, often with price fluctuations.
However, Kenya’s Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) threw a wrench in the plans by mandating UNOC to register as an OMC in Kenya itself. This meant meeting stringent rules like proof of fuel sales within Kenya and operating five licensed retail stations – demands seemingly irrelevant to UNOC’s sole purpose of transporting fuel through the pipeline.
UNOC sought exemption, but Kenyan authorities dithered, prompting a Kenyan court case and now, the EACJ lawsuit. Uganda argues that these restrictions are not only unreasonable but also violate the East African Community treaty and hinder free movement of goods within the region.
Furthermore, Uganda highlights its heavy reliance on Mombasa port for 90% of its fuel imports, making Kenya’s control over the pipeline a pivotal chokepoint. The suit seeks to declare EPRA’s licensing requirements null and void, ensuring smooth access for UNOC to the pipeline on fair, non-discriminatory terms.
Meanwhile, a potential spanner in the works has emerged with news of Uganda securing a five-year contract with an Arab supplier for its entire fuel needs. This could potentially render the KPC pipeline irrelevant for Uganda, adding another layer of complexity to the already tangled dispute.
LGBTQ Activist Stabbed in Uganda
Prominent LGBTQ rights activist Steven Kabuye was brutally attacked and seriously wounded by unknown assailants early Wednesday morning while on his way to work, according to his organization, Coloured Voice – Truth to LGBTQ.
“Steven is in critical condition and we implore everyone to keep him in their thoughts and prayers,” the organization stated on social platform X. A disturbing video circulating online, purportedly from Kabuye’s account, shows him struggling in pain, a knife embedded in his abdomen and a visible wound on his arm.
Human rights advocate Frank Mugisha condemned the violence, declaring on X, “Hate crimes have absolutely no place in Uganda. We demand a swift and thorough investigation by the authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice.”
Ugandan police have yet to comment on the attack. This incident comes against the backdrop of a deeply troubling climate for LGBTQ individuals in the country. Last year, Uganda enacted one of the world’s harshest anti-homosexuality laws, sparking international outrage and prompting economic sanctions from the World Bank and the United States. The law prescribes life imprisonment for anyone convicted of participating in homosexual acts.
Human rights groups have challenged the law’s constitutionality, citing its violation of basic rights to equality and dignity. However, the government maintains its stance, justifying the legislation as an upholder of traditional family values.
A recent report by rights organizations documented over 300 instances of human rights abuses against LGBTQ Ugandans in the first eight months of 2023, including physical assaults, torture, arbitrary arrests, and forced evictions.
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