Food prices in Karamoja are skyrocketing as a result of the poor state of the roads connecting the region to other parts of the country. The heavy rains and floods have rendered the roads impassable making transport especially of food commodities impossible.
The roads that were repaired by Uganda National Road Authority in Karamoja recently have once again been run down. The road that connects Moroto to Kotido has been closed again following the breakdown of Lopei Bridge. Also, the road that connects Moroto to Mbale via Nakapiripirit is impassable after Lorengedwat Bridge broke donw two weeks ago.
The few traders who have managed to navigate their way to trading centres are taking advantage of the situation to hike prices especially of nonperishable or fresh foods. A kilogramme of sugar currently costs Shs8,000 in Moroto District compared to the Shs3,200 price in Kampala. A kilogramme of maize floor, by Friday last week, cost Shs1800. The price has, however, gone up to Shs3,000 this week. The price of rice also went up to Shs4,000 a kilogramme. Mr Godfry Oumo, trader, said price hiking is meant to help traders make some profits. “Transport costs are now high because we now use more fuel in the process of navigating the roads,” he said.