Cost of living in Uganda Spiraling out of Control
Inflation - Uganda Shilling losing its value - droughts in part of the country - Cost of Oil -all are changing the way Ugandans live.
Fuel prices have increased here in Uganda causing the cost of transporting, processing commodities to go up and up. The US Dollar has increased dramatically in strength against the Ugandan Shilling. Anything that is imported into the county increases in price. Detergent, Cooking Oil, Spices, Basmati Rice, Pasta to name a few are all increasing dramatically putting them out of reach of many.
Fuel prices will also affect the electricity rates the power charges since most of the electricity is generated by using diesel fuel and that is approaching 1.30 USD a liter. Causing more people to steal power instead of paying for it.
Go into the supermarket and expect to buy oil at the same price as last week and you will find it has gone up by 500 shillings. Food prices in Uganda are spiraling out of control. Many Ugandan Families simply have to reduce the number of meals eaten per day. Some now only eating one meal a day and that one being made up of the lowest priced items like maize flour which is called posho and beans. Green vegetables especially have increased in price - the other day I paid 10,000 shillings, about 4 dollars plus for two cups of peas - it is now cheaper for me to buy frozen peas from Europe or South Africa.
Matoke - Plantain Bananas which are a staple for many Ugandan families have gone up to the highest level of 25,000 Ugandan Shillings for a stalk, a year ago it was 8000 Uganda Shilling. The US Dollar is now valued at almost 2400 Uganda Shillings. Schools have eliminated matoke, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, just serving beans with maize flour called posho and some salt.
The government sent a text message to people with mobile phones to stock up on things and increase food security. Most Ugandans in this region do not store things-in times past the garden was the storage room and you went out and used what was ripe. In the city this continued by going to little shops and buying this or that for the day - most Ugandans do not have a fridge-so you buy what you need for the day. Though now lawmakers are pushing for a law that any person not having sufficient food can be charged - seems a bit ridiculous in a country where most make a few shillings a day.
Chicken is higher here than in places such as the USA-a small chicken costs around 5 usd and larger or lives ones can easily run 7 usd - putting it all out of reach of Ugandans who love chicken.
Beef -Goat-Pork have gone up in prices where I now pay for my beef fillet 4 usd a pound, for Ugandans the beef they buy from the local butcher who often cuts his meat with a machete is charging 3000 shillings a pound...here meat is sold by the kilo.If you are a Westerner you can go to places such as the South African Shoprite stores and buy cuts of meat such as roast at lower prices.
Fish which used to be plentiful
here has gone up in price and best place to buy them is from a fisherman in a
village on the
lake - otherwise that tilapia fish will cost you a lot. Uganda used export
a lot of tilapia and Nile perch, but some of the factories closed due to lack of
fish and overfishing and illegal size fishing. In reality many of the fish
you can buy are illegal in size.
Even bottled water has increased from 1000 shillings to 1300 shillings at my nearby local duka-shop.
If you are an American here in Uganda such as I am - you can find familiar American Brands in some stores - Van Kamp Baked Beans at 7 usd a large tin, Spam at 7.50 usd, Aunt Jemima Pancake mix at 8 usd and pancake syrup from the same brand at 9 usd. You can buy German Cookies from Bahlsen at double the price in Germany and one could go on.
Everyone here has to make adjustments - the average Ugandan cannot afford to use Boda Boda motorcycle transport - which actually is a blessing since they are the cause of many injuries and deaths in Kampala. But also taxi fares which are the Toyota Vans that virtually move most Ugandans around. Bus fares have increased and even safari companies have to charge more because of fuel.
Unlike some other East African countries - there are no price controls here of any kind - merchants can charge whatever they want for fuel, food, etc....even charcoal which most Ugandans use for cooking has increased dramatically, and so has propane gas which now runs almost 45 usd for a medium size tank.
All of this is affecting the poor of Uganda who are returning to cooking without oil-living on beans and maize meal - forget fruit, even though some of the best fruit in the world is found here, Ugandans simply want a full belly. Who can blame them...except it is a limited diet besides the beans lacks nutrition. Cassava - is also an item found on the plates of Ugandans and it is a food that the government recommends growing.
Prices are spiraling- the cost of most everything is going up - however Uganda is still one of the loveliest places to live - from Kampala…jon
 Things
to do & See in Uganda:
Here are some of the major attractions in
Uganda. Take a look and pick what appeals to you and you want to include
in your safari in Uganda. |
 National Parks of Uganda
Information & Guide:
Pick the Parks that would like to visit and
include in your personalized Safari, you can
also check the locations on the map next. |
 Take
a look at the map of Uganda:
This will give you an idea of time and distance
between parks and other locations for a
successful safari in Uganda |
 Uganda's
Wildlife:
Find out what awaits you in regards to the
wildlife in Uganda. Some animals are found only in certain parks and this
will assist you in you creating your safari. |
 Gorilla Tracking
Information: The How To
Gorilla Tracking Guide, here you will find all the information in regards to
your Gorilla Tracking portion of your Safari. Permits, Guidelines, what to
wear and more. |
 The
Chimpanzees of Uganda:
There are about 5000 chimpanzees in Uganda.
This page will assist you as to where you can
track them on your Safari in Uganda. |
|
 Uganda
Big 5 Animals Plus::It takes a bit of planning but you can
include all of the Big 5 in your safaris plus gorillas and chimpanzees |
 Accommodations
in Uganda:
Lodging in Kampala, Jinja and wildlife parks in Uganda. You can get an idea of
the variety of accommodations available for your safari. |
 Tented
Camp Accommodations:
Create a Safari in the classical African Safari
Tradition. Tented Safaris are one of our
specialties. |
 Ugandan Birding
Safaris:
Uganda is a Birders Paradise with 1040 Species found here. In parks such as
Queen Elizabeth over 500 species of birds are
found. |
 Mountain
Climbing in Uganda: Mountain Climbing &Hiking in
Uganda. The Ruwenzori's, Volcano Climbing - Mount Elgon and Mgahinga
Gorilla Park |
 All
About Uganda:
Most things about Uganda.
It is good to know the country you are about to
visit. Here is mot everything you want to
know about Uganda. |
 Uganda
Background Information:
Uganda is a country that most people know little about, apart from Idi
Amin, yet there is much more to the Pearl of Africa. |
 Practical
Safari Tips in Uganda:
The word is practical and practical
is the key of a successful safari and practical
will save you money. |
 Large private Groups on Safari in Uganda:
Best way to go on safaris for a large group at
places such as Murchison Falls Park. |
 Comments
from Clients: letters
to us about a safari clients have just experienced. |
|
|
 Uganda
Travel Guide: Must
read for Uganda Travelers. This your guide to information regarding
Uganda. |
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Uganda Prices spiraling out of Control
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