Food and Fuel Prices Rise as Inflation Climbs to 0.6% in April

By Evans Najuna

Kampala – Uganda Bureau of Statistics has reported that Uganda’s monthly headline inflation rose to 0.6 percent in April 2026, up from 0.1 percent recorded in March 2026, largely driven by increases in fuel, food, and transport costs.

According to the latest inflation report released by UBOS on Thursday, the rise was mainly attributed to monthly Core Inflation, which increased by 0.5 percent in April compared to 0.0 percent in March.

The Bureau noted that the increase in core inflation was driven by a rise in Core Goods Inflation, which climbed to 0.5 percent from a 0.1 percent decline registered the previous month. Services Inflation also rose by 0.5 percent, compared to the 0.1 percent increase recorded in March.

UBOS reported that Energy, Fuel and Utilities (EFU) Inflation increased sharply to 1.8 percent in April, from 1.0 percent in March, mainly due to higher liquid fuel prices. Liquid Energy Fuels Inflation surged by 4.8 percent, up from 0.9 percent the previous month.

Petrol prices rose by 4.2 percent in April from 0.8 percent in March, while diesel prices registered an even steeper rise of 8.2 percent, compared to 2.3 percent previously. Solid fuel prices also increased, with charcoal prices rising by 1.0 percent and firewood prices by 0.8 percent during the month.

The report further indicated that Food Crops and Related Items Inflation rose to 0.9 percent in April, from 0.3 percent in March. This was largely due to price increases in several staple foods; including dry beans, which rose by 2.5 percent, matooke by 3.6 percent, cassava by 3.4 percent, onions by 3.0 percent, and sweet potatoes by 2.1 percent.

Under the international COICOP classification, monthly Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages Inflation rose by 1.1 percent, reversing the 0.1 percent decline recorded in March. Transport Inflation rose significantly to 1.8 percent, up from 0.3 percent, reflecting the impact of rising fuel costs.

Meanwhile, Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels Inflation increased by 0.6 percent, while Restaurants and Accommodation Services Inflation rose by 0.3 percent.

UBOS said inflation remained unchanged at 0.0 percent in sectors such as Clothing and Footwear, Information and Communication, Education Services, Alcoholic Beverages, Tobacco and Narcotics, as well as Personal Care and Miscellaneous Goods. However, Health Inflation declined by 0.1 percent, compared to a 0.3 percent increase recorded in March.

The latest figures suggest that Uganda’s households continue to face pressure from rising fuel and food prices, which remain the key drivers of consumer costs across the economy.