By Evans Najuna
Kampala – Uganda’s inflation edged up slightly in March 2026, even as food and beverage prices declined, according to the latest data released by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS).
The bureau reported that headline inflation increased by 0.1 percent, up from 0.3 percent recorded in February 2026, reflecting a modest rise in the general price level during the month.
UBOS attributed the increase largely to a rise in energy, fuel, and utilities (EFU) inflation, which climbed to 1.0 percent in March, up from 0.6 percent in February. This was mainly driven by higher prices of solid fuels, which rose by 2.2 percent, compared to 0.9 percent the previous month.
Specifically, firewood prices increased by 3.5 percent, up from 2.1 percent in February, while charcoal prices rose by 1.6 percent, from 0.4 percent. Meanwhile, liquid energy fuels inflation registered a 0.9 percent increase, slightly lower than the 1.0 percent rise recorded in February. Petrol prices rose by 0.8 percent, while diesel prices saw a sharper increase of 2.3 percent.
In the food category, Food Crops and Related Items inflation rose by 0.3 percent in March, compared to 0.4 percent in February. The increase was largely driven by rising prices of key food items, including tomatoes (6.6 percent), Irish potatoes 5.2%, sweet potatoes 5.5%, dry beans 1.0%, and watermelon 12.9%
However, overall food and non-alcoholic beverages inflation declined by 0.1 percent, a notable drop from the 0.8 percent increase recorded in February, offering some relief to consumers.
UBOS also reported that core inflation remained subdued at 0.0 percent in March, down from 0.3 percent in February, largely due to easing prices in goods. While services inflation rose slightly to 0.1 percent, core goods inflation declined by 0.1 percent, compared to a 0.4 percent increase in the previous month.
According to the Classification of Individual Consumption by Purpose (COICOP), several sectors registered mixed price movements. Housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels inflation increased by 0.5 percent, while transport inflation rose by 0.3 percent, reversing a 0.6 percent decline recorded in February.
Similarly, restaurants and accommodation services recorded a 0.2 percent increase, while recreation, sport, and culture rose by 0.3 percent. Health services inflation also increased to 0.3 percent, up from 0.1 percent in February.
Other categories include clothing and footwear, alcoholic beverages and tobacco, and household goods, registered modest increases of 0.1 percent. Meanwhile, sectors such as education, information and communication, and financial services remained largely unchanged during the month.
Despite the slight rise in overall inflation, the decline in food prices signals a mixed outlook for consumers, as essential household costs continue to fluctuate across different sectors of the economy.