Under-filled or illegally refilled gas cylinders: how to protect yourself
By Kula Kula Delivery Team · Published 1 November 2026 · Updated 1 November 2026
Illegally refilled and under-filled cooking gas cylinders are a reported problem in Kampala. Suppliers say they can leak and explode, and the standards bureau (UNBS) has cited concerns about underweight LPG. Buy only from authorised, traceable sellers, check that the cylinder is sealed and undamaged, and check the weight if you can.
What has been reported
- December 2025, Daily Monitor: Vivo Energy Uganda warned of an influx of illegally refilled LPG that it said is causing explosions in homes. Its spokesperson said illegal refilling in Kampala affects almost all LPG companies. According to the report, illegal refillers obtain branded cylinders from registered distributors, refill them in smaller quantities and sometimes leak gas that explodes when lit. Vivo urged the public to buy LPG only from authorised dealers. A Ministry of Energy official asked affected companies to report illegal refill cases, and said regulations were being drafted to guide the market. Read the report.
- February 2020, Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS): UNBS started inspections of LPG cylinder weights in Entebbe, Kampala and Mukono after growing concerns about underweight LPG on the market. It noted that over-filling is also dangerous. Read the report.
These are news reports, not legal advice. We have not found a published rule that tells customers how to identify an illegal refill, so the checks below are practical, common-sense steps.
Practical checks before you accept a cylinder
- Know who you are buying from. Prefer a seller you can find again, one that gives you a phone number, an address or an order record. Be careful with sellers who refill cylinders at a home or in a back room.
- Look at the seal and valve. A cylinder filled at a filling plant is usually sealed. Check that the seal is intact and that the valve and the collar are not damaged.
- Check the brand and size match. The brand named on the cylinder, the size and what you ordered should agree.
- Check the weight if you can. Find the empty weight (often marked TW or tare weight on the collar), add the gas weight, and weigh the cylinder. A big shortfall is a warning sign.
- Test the connection with soapy water after you fit it (see the safety guide), and smell for gas.
- Be wary of a price that is far below everyone else's. That is a rule of thumb, not proof, but it is worth asking why.
- Keep your receipt or order record. It makes it easier to complain.
Buying from us
Kula Kula Delivery is an authorised distributor of all the gas brands we sell (Hass, K Gas, Shell, Stabex and Total). Brand names belong to their owners and are used only to say which products we sell; the brands do not endorse this website. You can ask us anything about an order on +256 774 578518.
If you smell gas
Follow the steps in our gas safety guide: no flames or switches, close the valve if you safely can, ventilate, get everyone outside and call for help.
Frequently asked questions
What is an illegally refilled gas cylinder?
It is a branded cylinder that has been refilled outside the supplier's authorised filling system, for example by someone refilling from home. Vivo Energy told the Daily Monitor in December 2025 that illegal refillers get branded cylinders from registered distributors and refill them, sometimes in smaller quantities.
Why is it dangerous?
The same report says leaked gas from illegally refilled cylinders can explode when lit. Under-filling cheats you of the gas you paid for. The 2020 UNBS report also notes that over-filling is dangerous because it raises the risk of an uncontrolled loss of product.
How can I check how much gas is in a cylinder?
Many cylinders have the empty (tare) weight stamped on the collar. A filled cylinder should weigh about that figure plus the gas it is sold as, for example about 13kg more for a 13kg cylinder. Weigh it on a scale that is accurate enough, and compare. Treat the result as a rough check.
Who should I ask if I am unsure about a refill?
Ask the seller where the cylinder was filled and by whom. You can also contact the gas brand named on the cylinder. For a delivery from us, call +256 774 578518.