The Prime Minister Hon Robinah Nabbanja has attributed the escalating prices of essential commodities on effects of the covid 19 pandemic.

Citizens across the country are currently struggling to survive following an accelerated rise in the prices of goods like soap, cooking oil, salt and other household items leading to a high cost of living.

While addressing journalists outside Parliament on Tuesday morning, Nabbanja explained that the prices are skyrocketing because of the global crisis that has not only affected Uganda but the neighbouring countries as well. She says there is an overwhelming global demand for raw materials from manufacturers by many countries following the lock-down on Covid 19 .

Nabbanja also says that some proprietors are hoarding some goods because of the current situation but this will soon be history.

The prime minister says she has met with executives of companies that manufacture household items, to persuade them to ease the prices and the cost of living.

Economists have warned that the cost of living on account of the surging prices of essential household items will get worse before it gets better as external shocks causing prices to skyrocket are not about to ease.

A section of Legislators in Parliament have constantly expressed concern at the situation and asked government to intervene before the matter gets out of hand.

They are demanding that the government pronounces itself on the rising prices of essential commodities including soap, sugar, cooking oil and fuel.

Raising on a matter of national importance during plenary on Thursday, 10 March 2022, Nakaseke South County MP, Paulson Luttamaguzi said a bar of soap has risen from Shs4,000 to as much as Shs12,000 and this is worrying locals.

Last week,the Deputy Speaker of Parliament Anita Among gave government until Tuesday, March 15 ,2022 to make a statement on the matter.

“Let us give government time to prepare so that they can give us actions, not just lamentation. It is a multi-sectoral issue,” she said last week.

Compiled by  Zainab Ali