Vivo Energy Uganda has commissioned a new Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) filling and storage plant in Mbale City. This marks a major step in expanding access to clean energy in Eastern Uganda. Located at Vivo Energy Uganda’s Mbale depot, the facility will serve as the main hub for Shell Gas in the region, improving access to cleaner cooking fuels for households, businesses, and educational institutions.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by Miss Harriet Kakayi, Deputy Mayor of Mbale City, and Mr. Hans Paulsen, Executive Vice President at Vivo Energy Group. They both emphasized the importance of the new facility for both local development and Uganda’s clean energy goals.
Supporting Uganda’s clean energy transition
Miss Kakayi welcomed the investment, noting its alignment with the city’s development agenda. She stated, “Expanding access to clean energy such as LPG is critical to protecting our environment, improving household welfare, and creating economic opportunities for our people.” She added that this facility would greatly benefit residents of Mbale City and the wider Eastern Uganda region.
The plant will operate as the primary filling, storage, and distribution center for LPG, enhancing supply and safety. It will support districts across Eastern Uganda, including refugee-hosting communities, and contribute to national LPG infrastructure.
Vivo Energy’s commitment to clean energy
Mr. Paulsen highlighted Vivo Energy’s broader commitment to clean energy infrastructure. “Expanding access to LPG is key to reducing energy poverty, lowering indoor air pollution, and supporting Uganda’s climate goals,” he said. The plant also directly supports the Government of Uganda’s clean energy agenda, which aims to reduce reliance on biomass fuels such as firewood and charcoal.
Despite Uganda’s relatively low LPG uptake, with household penetration at just 4%, the plant aims to increase adoption by making LPG more accessible and affordable. Mr. Paulsen emphasized the urgency for Uganda to close the gap with regional benchmarks, such as Kenya, where LPG consumption is significantly higher.
The impact on Mbale and the wider region
Mrs. Joanita Mukasa Menya, Managing Director of Vivo Energy Uganda, outlined the plant’s local benefits. “This plant is more than just a commercial investment. It will create jobs, support skills development, and boost local supply chains,” she said. She also highlighted the facility’s role in improving health outcomes by reducing the use of harmful cooking fuels.
The plant will further contribute to Uganda’s national energy resilience, as the country prepares for its first oil production from the Albertine Graben in 2026. The facility helps build the infrastructure needed for a sustainable, modern energy economy.
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Looking Ahead
The Mbale LPG plant is a key step in Vivo Energy Uganda’s commitment to clean energy. By improving access to LPG and supporting local communities, the plant will have a lasting positive impact on the region. As Uganda moves closer to oil production, investments like this plant will help diversify the country’s energy resources and contribute to a sustainable future.
