Apologies for still talking about the diesel issue

But it is still an issue.

Today I drove the 450 km from Kampala to Arua, starting on an almost full tank. I stopped at a few stations on the way from Kigomba to Karuma Falls, but the same gesture in all places; idle staff waving their arms from the middle to the sides shaping a 'V' signaling; 'Diesel is not there!'

In Pakwach, however, 'it was there', and I got a refill while the service guy showed me his white teeth in a smile which wouldn't go off. 3000 UGX (1,75 USD) per liter! It is the first time in 15 years according to Paul Busharizi in the Sunday Monitor that the prices have reached this level, and he predicts a black market for diesel.

In March the price for one liter diesel was 1910 UGX (1,11 USD). A Toyota HiLux full tank contains about 60 liters, and takes me around 450 km. It is a difference of about 65,000 UGX (38 USD). Quite a lot of money in a country where app. 80% of the population lives for less than a dollar a day. Not that I believe they worry about the price of diesel as a first thing, but it will effect us all.

Arua already has a lively black market, thanks to Congo and an invisible border. I can't tell the difference. However, it does mean that everything in this country which runs on diesel - the fees for using generators, Internet cafés, matatus, airoplanes etc. will increase. It also means that people will mix diesel with water (to a larger extent than usual) which explains another African trademark - the black smoke from vehicles.