Government has been challenged to consider reduction of import duty levied on sugar as one way to address sugar shortage in the country.

Food stuffs in Nakasero Market Kampala Uganda

The country has been hit by the acute sugar shortage with the price of a kilogram to have increased more than doubling since May this year.

The retail price now stands at between 5000 to 6000 shillings in the different stoles while at some supermarkets the only available sugar is being fought for.

The government has often said the shortage is blamed on inadequate production and now the traders are calling on government support to encourage the importation of more sugar to avoid sugar scarcity in the country.
They say that sugar prices are likely to go as higher as 8000 shillings per kilogram if no urgent innervations are taken by the government.

Following this economic crisis in the country, President Yoweri Museveni has called a crisis cabinet meeting on Thursday to address the current economic situation with the sugar crisis expected to be on the agenda.
By Mugisa Isaac Mathias