SOARING FOOD PRICES IN GULU

Since July 2006 when the peace talks started in Juba in Southern Sudan, northern Uganda has witnessed a return to relative peace. Gulu town is growing fast but the cost of living is incredibly high and unbearable to most local people.

The prices for foodstuffs have more than doubled, making Gulu the most expensive town in Uganda. For instance fuel that was sold at UG Shs 1,350 (USD 0.83) by the end of 2007 is now at UG Shs 2790 (USD 1.70). Beans have increased by 50%, maize flour by 71%, pigeon peas by 233%, simsim by 134%, groundnuts by 73%, cooking oil by 125%, milk by 37% and cowpeas by 433%.

This current situation is attributed to several factors: global warming, the 20-year civil war, the recent floods, the rural-urban influx and the opening up of the Sudan market, to mention but a few. Although close to 80% of the people have returned to their homes and are no longer living in IDP camps (Internally Displaced Persons camps), weather changes still remain a very big challenge to the farmers. Rains are less predictable than they used to be and many people end up harvesting little.