Fuel adulteration is a common practice in Uganda. It involves mixing of Kerosene to Petrol or Diesel to sell as pure petrol or diesel. The perpetrators of this illegal act are mainly incentivized by the additional margin they would make. This is mainly attributed to the lower tax on Kerosene in comparison to Diesel and Petrol.
Consuming adulterated fuel has adverse effects on a vehicle from Engine malfunctions to failure of other components of the vehicle as well as increasing emission of pollutants, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen and particulate matter.
Unscrupulous fuel dealers and some truck drivers have been cited as the main participants in this practice.
According to Vivo Energy’s Quality Manager Joseph Adrapi, the fuel industry is faced with a challenge of product adulteration by dealers and truck drivers who steal the fuel and refill the volume with contaminants like kerosene and water.
Some players have taken to self-regulation to ensure they protect their customers and deliver their promise. After acquiring the first mobile lab in March 2014, Vivo Energy, the company that distributes and markets Shell branded fuels and lubricants now conducts random tests at all Shell Service Stations.
“We ensure that at every loading point our product is tested and certified before loading and certificates of quality are sent to the next point of receipt. Upon arrival of the truck, the product is re-tested at our modern fuel testing lab and compared with the certificate at loading point before the product is received. This practice is carried along the entire supply chain right up to the customers’ tank. We use our mobile fuel testing lab to conduct random tests at every Shell station to ensure our quality remains top notch.” Adrapi said.
He added that every truck that transports Shell products is fitted with an On Board Computer to monitor the location of the truck at all times. Adrapi warned motorists to value their vehicles and ensure they use trusted products for their investment.
Uganda National Bureau of Standards who are the industry regulators for quality also conduct similar tests with 4 mobile labs that conduct spot checks for all industry players.