economy 21 October 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Ugandans Face Severe Food Insecurity as Prices Skyrocket
Families across Uganda are struggling to afford basic foodstuffs like maize flour, beans, and charcoal due to dramatic price increases, pushing many into food insecurity. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/rising-prices-leave-low-income-ugandans-struggling-to-feed-families-5640010
The cost of essential food items in Uganda has surged dramatically, leaving low-income households in a precarious position. A kilogram of maize flour, a staple for many Ugandan families, has seen its price jump by approximately 25% in just one month, now retailing between Shs2,000 and Shs2,500.
This price hike is making it increasingly difficult for ordinary Ugandans to put food on the table. The situation is compounded by the soaring cost of beans, another critical component of the national diet. Prices have nearly doubled, with a kilogram now costing between Shs6,000 and Shs7,000, a significant increase from the Shs3,500 to Shs4,500 seen just a month prior.
Beyond the direct food items, the cost of cooking fuel has also become prohibitively expensive. A gallon of charcoal, essential for meal preparation in many homes, has tripled in price, now costing up to Shs3,000. This represents a staggering 200% increase from the Shs1,000 it cost a month ago.
These escalating prices are placing immense pressure on households, forcing difficult choices between essential nutrition and other basic needs. The affordability crisis threatens to exacerbate existing vulnerabilities within low-income communities, highlighting a growing concern for food security across the nation. The Daily Monitor reports on the widespread struggle faced by families attempting to cope with the rising cost of living.