Uganda’s monthly headline inflation in May rose to 0.5 per cent from the 0.3 per cent rise recorded in April 2018, the Ugandan Bureau of Statistics (Ubos) says in its latest report.
According to the report, the increase was as result of the increase in the monthly core inflation that registered a 0.3 per cent rise in May 2018 from the 0.0 per cent recorded in April 2018 as prices of clothing and footwear increased.
Core inflation excludes price changes of food and energy sectors.
The report also attributes the increase to the rise in the prices of sugar that rose to 2.3 per cent during the month of May from the minus 3.4 per cent recorded for the month ended April 2018.
The report further shows the rise in the prices of food crops which rose to 1.6 per cent in May from the earlier rise of 2.4 per cent recorded in April 2018. The rise was due to mainly the increase in the prices of vegetables.
Besides, Energy Fuel and Utilities Inflation increased by 0.9 per cent in May 2018 from the 0.2 per cent drop recorded in April 2018. “This rise is due to Solid fuels Inflation that was registered at 2.5 per cent during the month of May 2018 from the 0.2 per cent decrease recorded for the month of April 2018.
Besides, the Annual Headline Inflation for the year ending May 2018 was recorded at 1.7 per cent compared to the 1.8 per cent registered during the year ended April 2018. This represents a 0.1 percentage point drop from that recorded during the year ended April 2018. The drop is largely attributed to the Annual Core Inflation that was registered at 1.1 per cent for the year ending May 2018 compared to 1.6 per cent recorded for the year ended April 2018.
Arua registered the highest Annual Inflation of 3.9 per cent for the year ending May 2018; the same rate recorded for the year ended April 2018. This rise was mainly driven by the increase in the prices of food and non- alcoholic beverages.
Fort Portal came second at 3.6 per cent for the year ending May 2018 compared to 3.5 per cent recorded for the year ended April 2018. The increase was attributed to price increases for Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels.
