Ugandans should expect further rise in fuel and food crop prices as planting season just starts, this was revealed by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics director Dr. Chris N. Mukiza.
Although the Annual Inflation for the period of August 2023 was registered at 3.5% compared to the 3.9% registered for the year ending July 2023, there was a registered increase in prices of some Food Crops, for example the price of Onions in August 2023 rise by 129.8%, Mangoes (26.1%), oranges(5.7), Ground nuts pounded (4.4%) and Maize (1.0%).
This indicates a general increase in the Annual Food Crops and related Items Inflation to 9.8% for the year ending August 2023 compared to 9.3% registered for the year ended July 2023.
The Director Economics Statistics at UBOS Aliziki Kaudha Lubega attributed this rise in Food Crop prices to dry spell in some regions of the country which led to low production and also starting of the new planting season were by the demand for seeds have increased significantly.
The monthly Energy Fuel and Utilities (EFU) inflation also increased by 1.1% in August 2023 compared to 3.9%rise registered in July 2023. The rise in EFU was mainly attributed to Solid fuels inflation that increased by 3.9% in August 2023 from 8.6% rise recorded in July 2023.
Aliziki while presenting the figures to journalist in the monthly CPI report at UBOS Headquarters, revealed that Charcoal inflation increased by (5.7%) in August 2023 from 8.1% rise registered in July 2023. In addition she also said that, Firewood inflation increased by 0.4%, while that of Liquid energy fuels was by 0.1%.
The Minister of State for Energy Hon. Sidronius Okaasi Opolot while presenting a report to Parliament on the escalating fuel prices said that the rising fuel prices is a global phenomenon caused by inadequate supply yet the demand is high.
The minister failed to convince Parliament when he read the report. Hon Ssemuju Ibrahim who is MP for Kiira Municipality moved a motion seeking to throw away the ministers report due lack of sufficient information basically that regarding the way government is planning to help citizens cop-up with the situation.
The Speaker ruled against Hon. Ssemuju’s motion and ordered the minister to go back and improve the report and put in information regarding how government will help to control the escalating fuel prices.
By George Bukenya