KAMPALA, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) said a court case which impeded its import of oil products through Kenya has been withdrawn, paving way for the long-awaited import.
The state-run oil agency in a statement issued here Thursday said those who petitioned the Kenyan constitutional court opted to withdraw the case.
"We are pleased to have resolved this legal matter and to move forward with our plans to import fuel through Kenya. This development contributes immensely to our journey to enhance Uganda's energy security," the UNOC statement said. The statement did not give reasons as to why the petition was withdrawn.
"Work is currently underway to issue UNOC the necessary permit that will enable us to import fuel directly through the Kenyan Pipeline Company," the statement said.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and his Kenya counterpart, William Ruto, last month met in Uganda and agreed to resolve the impasse amicably.
In December, Uganda took Kenya to the East African Court of Justice after Nairobi denied UNOC a license to operate as a local oil marketer and handle fuel imports headed to Uganda.
Landlocked Uganda has been planning the possibility of importing petroleum products through neighboring Tanzania as an alternative to the Kenya route.
Almost 90 percent of Uganda's petroleum imports currently traverse Kenya, accounting for approximately 2.5 billion liters, valued at about 2 billion U.S. dollars, annually, according to UNOC. ■
