Kampala — The US Government is concerned about the current soaring food prices and energy crisis Uganda is grappling with, the US Ambassador.

Addressing guests at a reception for visiting US News editors at his residence in Kololo last Tuesday, Mr Steven Browning said the 12 senior media editors' visit would increase understanding about Uganda and improve coverage of national issues.

"They could have gone anywhere, but they chose to come and see the challenges you are trying to cope with right now," Mr Browning. said High energy prices and soaring food prices are some of the main challenges that have raised a lot of concern in Uganda. The effects are dealing a blow to each and every transaction.

The Director of the International Reporting Project at the John Hopkins University, Mr John Schidlovsky, said during their visit, the group will concentrate on health, development, agriculture, environment, democracy, governance, regional security and economic growth.

Mr Schidlovsky, also head of the delegation, said part of their mission is to improve coverage of not only Uganda, but African issues at large.

"Africa is the first victim of the US coverage. We are here to listen and learn for ourselves what is going on so that when the editors get back, they will be able to shape their coverage," said Mr Schidlovsky.

Guests, who included among others Monitor Publications Ltd Managing Editor, Tom Mshindi and Uganda's Deputy Representative to the United Nations (UN) in New York Adonia Ayebare held discussions with the editors.

Mr Schidlovsky said they will also visit an HIV research station in Rakai, Jinja Fiheries Institute and Naro in Entebbe.