Uganda inflation jumps in May, driven by food prices rises

Uganda’s inflation rose in May from a month earlier, driven by rising prices of some food items, the statistics office said on Wednesday

The Uganda Bureau of Statistics said inflation rose to 7.2 percent year-on-year from 6.8 percent in April.

It said core inflation – which strips out food, fuel, metered water and electricity prices – rose to 5.1 percent from 4.9 percent a month earlier.

The central bank monitors core inflation for monetary policy purposes. In April, its governor said it was seen remaining around a target of 5 percent over the next 12 months.

Most parts of Uganda experienced a prolonged drought from early 2016 to early this year, which led to poor harvests and a surge in the prices of most food items including vegetables.