Thank god for jerry cans! The Ugandan solution.

Besides CHOGM, Mabira, a World Bank donation (which must have given a few Ugandan governmental officials the similar feeling as the occasional events when my parents decide to donate a large sum of cash without me having performed extraordinarily), and the sudden death of the permanent secretary of defence (who also happened to be one of the guys who went to the bush with Museveni back in 1985, and whom the papers now indicate died 'mysteriously', which makes most people around here interpretate as 'murdered') - the talk of town is still the lack of diesel.

In today's Monitor I read through a page where people had been encouraged to give their opinion on why they think Uganda lacks diesel. However, I like my news kind of more factual. If I want a multiple human perspective on the lack of diesel situation I'll ask the first four people I meet in the MS Uganda compound, or I will drive my car around town and stop by at all the empty gas stations (untill it dies) and ask what the service staff thinks. But I want to know why , I want to know when the diesel is back and I want to be sure that is isn't going to happen (soon) again.

I found the most factual information on the BBC, but still I couldn't help thinking as I read along:

Right, Uganda has suffered from lack of diesel because: Diesel comes to Uganda from Kenya via a pipeline but technical problems since March have caused low fuel supplies. Uganda has been negotiating with Kenya to allow the fuel to be transported in trucks from the refinery at the coast. Kenya's Revenue Authority has licensed five oil companies to ferry the fuel in trucks but there is disagreement over a demand that they pay a refundable deposit. Kenyan officials argue that this deposit will ensure the companies do not divert the fuel to the Kenyan market, but Uganda's authorities say it amounts to double taxation. And I do agree with Museveni when he puts the situation in a nutshell: 'The halting of fuel deliveries amounts to a blockade and is causing a "very big problem", says Mr Museveni.  But when he continues; "If you stop fuel from coming to Uganda, that is a blockade instead of using his energy trying to solve the issue with the Kenyans; 'This is serious and it can create a very big problem," Mr Museveni told crowds in Jinja during the Labour day celebrations. He tells the Ugandans what they already know, in stead of adressing the obvious fact, in stead of doing something about it; Like other countries in the region, Uganda suffers from frequent electricity blackouts, and many people use diesel to power private generators. Uganda has hydro-electric plants but these are not enough as yet. Last week, the World Bank approved a huge loan to fund a new dam project.