Hello everybody,

Can you imagine how life is when there is an inflation of 30%??? Life in the Netherlands is different, 30% can’t happen but in Uganda it can. I think that is why it is classified as a developing country. To give you an idea of how life is now compared to a few months ago, not even half a year. Just read the answers of people being interviewed on the street and appreciate the struggles you go through again…….   

Alex Lupodo, of Namuwongo 

I had to rent a house near my place of work so that I could reduce my expenditure on transport by walking to work instead of taking a taxi. I only eat twice in a day because I cannot afford to have three meals like I used to before. On a daily basis, I used to load Shs1,000 on my phone but this has stopped. I only load and call when I have to. 

Carol Mulindwa, Saleslady, Georgina Optical

I used to buy tinned milk because it was convenient to make tea with, but the rise in its price forced me to shift to fresh milk which is cheaper with a liter at Shs1,000. Sugar is reserved for a few in the house. The rest take tea with honey. I no longer drive to work. Instead, my husband drops me off and picks me from my place of work

Stephen Tenywa, Bodaboda cyclist

The high price of sugar has left me with only one option; not buying it. It is only when I have breakfast from the canteen near my stage that I take sugar. I cannot afford to buy a whole bar of soap like I used to in the past. I only buy a small bar which I use sparingly.

Francis Ogwang, Chief Manager Business Growth, Centenary Bank 

When driving to any destination, I plan my routes thoroughly, so as to use as little fuel as possible. Currently, I cannot do any capital developments like buying land or building a house because it is money intensive. I still take sugar but sparingly. Before I used to take three spoons but I now take one.

Sherina Biira, Canteen Attendant

Transport costs are out of my budget because I strictly walk to my place of work. I used to smear myself with Nivea body lotion but the rise in its price has forced me to shift to Samona Jelly which is cheaper. I now use threads to plait my hair unlike before when I used to buy hair pieces.

Christopher Acire, MP for Gulu Municipality

I used to travel to Gulu by private means every weekend, but I no longer do this Currently, I alternate between public means and private means. I have reduced the number of my assistants from five to three. I have also reduced the number of bulbs in my house from 15 to seven. 

Fred Opolot, Executive Director, Uganda Media Centre

I have cut on the rate at which I go out for dinner and lunch with friends. I used to take advantage of weekends to drive around to attend events and catch up with friends and relatives, but I have reduced the level at which I do this because fuel prices are high. I have also restricted the rate at which I make phone calls.

Susan Ojara, a retired civil servant

I no longer buy a sack of charcoal because I can’t raise that kind of money at once, so I have resorted to buying simply a tin of charcoal. Sometimes I walk instead of taking a taxi and whenever I take a taxi I insist on negotiating so that I’m charged at least Shs200 less of the standard fare. I’ve completely abandoned eating meat because it is expensive.

Patrick Lumumba, Project Overseer, Mukono Bookshop

I shifted from cooking twice a day to only once because of the high charcoal prices. So, I prepare one meal which I eat for both lunch and supper. There are bad days when I only have breakfast and supper. I no longer take a bodaboda to work, but instead take a taxi and sometimes walk. 

James Baba, Minister of State for Internal Affairs

I used to buy new clothes and shoes, but I no longer buy them. I instead save that money for must-haves. I have also called off going abroad for holidays. I always make sure that I have supper from home and not from an eatery. There are days when I eat only once in a day.

Christine Nakiranda, Manager, Life Link Medical Centre

I no longer drive to work because the fuel prices are high. I only use my car when it is a must, for example when it rains in the morning yet I have to be at work. There are times when I want to have nice meals like chips and chicken, but since they are also now expensive, I settle for what is provided by my employers.

Hamza Mawejje, Architect

I abandoned washing using my washing machine and instead got a maid to do the washing. I was forced to enter my unfinished house because I realised I was spending a lot on rent, which had also been hiked. I put up an overhead water tank at my house to trap rain water in a bid to minimise my expenditure on the water bill. I have also called off swimming lessons for my children.

Justine Asiimwe, Housewife

I now only have one meal in a day, between 4pm and 5pm. I used to go to the saloon twice a month, but now I only once. When I plait my hair, I make sure that I plait a style that will last three months.