As you plan for your holiday in Uganda, its important to factor in the price of fuel that you will use for the duration of your trip so that you are within your budget and this too helps you get the right car for your trip.
For example, a round trip from Kampala to Kidepo in a safari Land Cruiser costs over a million shillings of diesel before you’ve paid for a single night’s accommodation.
In this guide, we will cover current fuel prices in Uganda, real-world consumption figures for the vehicles actually rented in Uganda, and a route by route fuel budget you can copy straight into your trip spreadsheet.
These are fuel Prices as of August 2026
Fuel type | Kampala (UGX/L) | USD/L |
Petrol/gasoline | 6,250 – 6500 | $`1.67 – $1.73 |
Diesel | 6,100 – 6,600 | $1.63 – $1.76 |
Converted at roughly UGX 3,750 to the US dollar.
For quick math: 1 litre= UGX 6,400 = $1.70, and a full 90-litre Land Cruiser V8 tank is a little under UGX 580,000 ($155).
What determines Fuel Prices in Uganda
Uganda is landlocked, so every litre arrives by road from Mombasa or Dar es Salaam. Three things drive the pump price:
Global crude and the shilling. A weaker shilling raises the landed cost even when crude is flat.
Import stock timing: Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) buys in cargoes. When a batch was bought high, retail prices stay high for weeks after the global market has already softened.
Key Guide: don’t assume a price you read three months ago still holds. Check before you commit to a budget. We can always arrange you an actual budget estimate for the car you will have chose for your holiday.
Prices outside Kampala: Budget 10–20% More
This is the part most Uganda self drive guides skip, and it’s where budgets break.
Kampala plus Entebbe have the best fuel supply and the most competition, so it is consistently the cheapest place in the country to fill up. Once you leave the central region, prices rise sometimes sharply.
Area | What to expect |
Kampala, Entebbe, Jinja | Baseline prices. Fill here. |
Major upcountry towns (Mbarara, Masaka, Fort Portal, Gulu, Mbale) | 5–15% above Kampala pricing |
Border districts (Kasese, Kisoro, Arua, Adjumani, Tororo) | Highly volatile. Cross border demand from DRC and South Sudan regularly drains stock and pushes prices well above the national average |
Rural stations near parks | 15–25% above Kampala, and quality is inconsistent |
During the 2026 supply shortcomings, some Kasese outlets were reportedly selling petrol at close to UGX 10,000 a litre while Kampala a litre went for UGX 6,000. Gulu stations spanned a UGX 5,500–7,500 range on the same day depending on the outlet.
Rule of thumb: budget your entire trip at Kampala prices, then add a 15% contingency. If you’re heading to Kisoro, Kasese or the far north, make it 25%.
Real world fuel consumption in Uganda
Unlike what car manufacturers share about the average consumption of their cars, here its quite different. Murram roads, low-range 4×4 work, roof racks, altitude and full loads all push car fuel consumption up. These are the figures we see from returned vehicles:
Vehicle type | Tarmac | Murram & Park trails (KM/L) | Tank Size |
Toyota RAV4 (petrol) | 10 | 8 | 60 L |
Land Cruiser Prado (petrol) | 9 | 7 | 87L |
Land Cruiser Hardtop (diesel) | 7 | 7 | 90 – 180L |
Land Cruiser V8 (petrol) | 8 | 6 | 90L |
Safari van (diesel) | 9 | 7 | 70L |
Land Cruiser Prado with rooftop tent (petrol) | 8 | 7 | 87L |
Top Car rental Uganda tips to Cut your fuel bill
Fill completely in Kampala/Entebbe before departure. The single biggest saving decision available. On a Land Cruiser that’s a UGX 100,000+ difference versus filling near a park gate.
Never let the tank drop below a quarter upcountry. Stations run dry, especially in border districts. A quarter tank is your buffer, not your reserve.
Choose diesel for long distances. Diesel engines deliver noticeably better economy on the long tarmac stretches that dominate Uganda itineraries, and the price per litre is broadly comparable to petrol.
Right-size the vehicle. If your itinerary is Murchison and Ziwa on good tarmac, a RAV4 saves you around UGX 230,000 in fuel compared to other SUVs
Stick to major brand stations. Shell, TotalEnergies, Stabex and City Oil for preference. Adulterated fuel from roadside sellers destroys injectors, and that repair bill will dwarf any saving.
Keep tyres at the right pressure. Under-inflated tyres on murram cost fuel and increase puncture risk. Check every few days.
Plan fill points, not just stops. Know where your last reliable station is before Kidepo, Bwindi or the far side of Murchison, and top up there regardless of gauge reading.
Where to Fill Up: Key Stations by Route
To Murchison Falls National Park: last reliable major-brand stations at Luwero, Nakasongola and Masindi. Fill at Masindi before entering the park.
To Queen Elizabeth or Bwindi: Mbarara has the best selection and pricing in the southwest. Kabale is your last dependable stop before Bwindi’s southern sectors.
To Kidepo Valley National Park: fill at Gulu, then again at Kitgum. Beyond Kitgum, assume nothing.
To Kibale / Fort Portal: Mubende and Fort Portal town both have good coverage.
Carry a 20-litre jerrycan for Kidepo and the remoter Karamoja routes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the price of petrol in Uganda today? Petrol in Kampala is around UGX 6,250–6,500 per litre as of July 2026, roughly $1.67–$1.73. Prices upcountry run 5–25% higher depending on the district.
Is diesel cheaper than petrol in Uganda? The two are closely matched in Uganda, unlike many countries where diesel is clearly cheaper. Diesel’s advantage is consumption, not pump price — a diesel Prado goes noticeably further per litre than a comparable petrol vehicle.
Can I pay for fuel by card in Uganda? Yes/ Major stations in Kampala, Entebbe and larger towns accept Visa and Mastercard. Rural stations are cash only. Carry shillings not dollars
Is fuel readily available across Uganda? Generally yes on main routes, but supply disruptions do occur, particularly in border districts. Keeping your tank above a quarter and topping up opportunistically removes the risk entirely.
Fuel is predictable once you know the three variables: distance, consumption and where you fill. Get those right and your Uganda road trip budget stops being a guess.
Need help sizing the right vehicle for your route? Send us your itinerary and we’ll come back with a vehicle recommendation and a fuel estimate for it — no obligation.