Kampala — FOOD prices in Kampala's major markets are increasing due to high demand and expensive fuel, a weekly mini-survey has shown.

According to the mini-survey and the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), food inflation was at a 27.2% weight in October.

Vincent Musoke, the principal statistician of price statistics at UBOS, attributed price increments to last season's poor harvests and high demand locally and regionally.

"The relative peace in southern Sudan has enabled refugees to go back and many NGOs to go there. This, coupled with the big business community, has created continuous food demand," he said.

Musoke said the post-election crisis in Kenya and increase in demand for necessities like salt by farmers had also led to the price increments.

"Maize flour prices have gone up because the number of colleges and boarding schools has increased."

Robert Mugisa, a trader in Nakasero Market, said Tanzania refused its farmers to export maize grain.