Uganda’s inflation has hit the 4.9% mark

In Summary
  • Food and non-alcoholic beverages are registering a very high figure increasing to 5.4 percent up from 1.4 percent.
  • Price rises noted with Sugar, maize flour, rice, refined oil, tomatoes, passion fruits, watermelon, whole Cassava, cooking banana and carrots.
Director Economic Statistics, UBOS, Aliziki Khauda Lubega releases the CPI report
Image: Edwin Muhumuza

Uganda’s inflation has hit the 4.9 percent mark in April up from 3.7 percent registered in March.

This is on account of increase in prices of commodities under food and non-alcoholic beverages at 6.9 percent.

Items under this basket includes, sugar, maize flour, rice, refined oil, tomatoes, passion fruits, watermelon, whole Cassava, cooking banana and carrots.

Housing, water electricity gas and other fuels stand at 4.5 percent, inclusive of Cement, Firewood, Gas, paint, Iron sheets, charcoal and Kerosene.

Relatedly, furnishings, household equipment and routine household have been registered at 16.5 percent, taking into account, laundry soap, cleaning products such as Jik and detergent powder.

Senior Statistician, Magoma Godfrey, Director Economic Statistics Aliziki Khauda Lubega, Senior Statistician Edgar Niyimpa
Image: Edwin Muhumuza

Other drivers are ;recreation, sport and culture, taking note of cultural events fees and film or printing services of photography at 2.9 percent, restaurants and accommodation services at 5.0 percent which comprises of meals in restaurants, fruit juices, vodkas, Beer, red/white wines and whisky.

On the other hand, transport increased by 2.3 percent on account of petrol, taxi fares, Diesel, International flights and motorcycle fares.

Currently, at most pumps in Kampala, a litre of diesel goes for 5380 shillings higher than petrol at 5340 shillings ;a change in status quo where for long it has always been petrol higher than diesel at the pump.

While releasing the Consumer Price Index for the month of April, Director Economic Statistics, UBOS, Aliziki Khauda Lubega said that the rates at which the prices of diesel is increasing has surpassed the rate of change of petrol prices, implying that since most companies and heavy duty vehicles use diesel, we are most likely to experience a very high increase in transport costs.

Excerpt showing overall inflation trends since 2021
Image: Edwin Muhumuza

She added that Food and non-alcoholic beverages are registering a very high figure increasing to 5.4 percent up from 1.4 percent and is why inflation is reaching that level.

Lately Ugandans have expressed concern over the high prices of tomatoes and vegetables, a trend that the statistics body has attributed to seasonal changes in weather that has led to their scarcity.

On the other hand, it was reported that some commodity types monitored had reduced prices especially Children clothing, footwear, personal care, Social protection, bathing soap and eggs.

As prices continue to rise generally, Lubega Aliziki has cautioned Consumers to spend more on basic items compared to luxurious items.