A new report by Twaweza has revealed that the cost of living is increasingly threatening the livelihoods of many Ugandans whose incomes have remained static.

The latest report by Twaweza’s Sauti Za Wanainchi indicates that market prices for staple foods have risen sharply approaching levels of 2027 when the East Africa region expressed widespread stress.

Millions of Ugandans are now struggling as prices soar, made worse by rising fuel costs.  

Senior Program Officer in charge of Sauti za Wananchi, Marie Hilda Nanyanzi who quotes the quoting data by the World Food Programme, says that market prices for staple food crops have risen sharply and therefore squeezing households.

A kilogram of maize flour in most parts of the country is being retailed at Shillings 2500 (two thousand five hundred. Sorghum prices used to be lower in the past but a kilogram of Sorghum now costs Shillings 2500 while a kilo of cassava flour is Shillings 1700.

These prices according to the survey are between 30-50% higher than they were twelve months ago. Nanyanzi says across all these food types, the prices in April were higher than at any time in the past decade, except for 2017 when East Africa, including Uganda, experienced a drought-related food crisis.

The findings show that the 2022 experience is different from 2017 because prices for other commodities have also risen sharply. According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, cement prices have risen by 28% while cooking oil prices have risen by 57%. 

The price of diesel has risen by 37%, maize flour has risen by 25% and the price of matooke has risen by 24%, laundry soap by 82%. 

In 2017 food stress was experienced by both producers and consumers whereas in 2022 food producers may benefit slightly from increased food prices. 2022 has seen a number of strikes by teachers and health workers demanding a pay rise.

The impact of the high cost of living is being felt across the income spectrum but Marie Nanyanzi says the poorest are the most affected.  

President Museveni and finance Minister, Matia Kasaijja have refused to intervene, saying the trend is driven by forces beyond Uganda.

In April, the government said the headline inflation of 3.7% was moderate compared to other countries in the region.

In the survey, four out of ten households (37%) had members who went for a day without eating in the previous 12 months compared to 23% in December 2020.

Makerere University Associate Professor, Julius Kiiza while responding to the findings, said there is a need to investigate why 70% of Ugandans interviewed were worried about their food security. 

In a related development, Kole North MP, Opio Samael Acuti said food insecurity is bound to increase in the country unless the government equally focused on food production. 

Source: URN

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