Uganda: cost of living

What are fuel prices in Uganda?

Diesel averaged Shs 6,647 a litre and petrol Shs 6,529 a litre at the pump in August 2026, compared with Shs 4,733 and Shs 5,099 in August 2025, according to the Ministry of Finance's Performance of the Economy report for August 2026.

The ministry attributes the high prices mainly to geopolitical tensions disrupting global fuel supply, and says some suppliers were still selling stock bought at higher prices. Petrol prices were 28.5% higher than a year earlier and kerosene 31.2% higher. The 2026/27 budget also raised excise duty on diesel and petrol by Shs 200 a litre. Prices vary by town and fuel station.

Official sources: Ministry of Finance: Performance of the Economy, August 2026 · Ministry of Finance: Budget Speech FY2026/27

How much does electricity cost in Uganda?

Domestic customers of UEDCL paid an average of Shs 779.4 per unit (kWh) of electricity in July to September 2026, according to the Electricity Regulatory Authority, which approved the tariffs on 7 July 2026.

Households using no more than 100 kWh a month on average over six months pay a lifeline rate of Shs 250 for the first 15 units. A cooking tariff of Shs 412 per unit applies to a 70-unit bundle, from the 81st to the 150th unit, for qualifying customers. ERA reviews tariffs every quarter, taking account of the exchange rate, oil prices and inflation, so check its site for the latest quarter.

Official sources: Electricity Regulatory Authority: Q3 2026 tariffs

Are food prices rising in Uganda?

Annual food crop inflation in Uganda rose to 2.1% in August 2026, according to the Ministry of Finance's Performance of the Economy report for August 2026. Prices of Irish potatoes, fresh beans, cowpeas and mangoes rose, while matooke, sweet potatoes, oranges and papaya fell during the month.

Energy, fuel and utilities inflation was much higher, at 14.3%. Headline inflation then rose to 4.6% in September, driven by higher food crop prices and fuel, according to the Bank of Uganda's October 2026 statement. Food crop prices in Uganda move with harvests and the weather, so they can swing from month to month.

Official sources: Ministry of Finance: Performance of the Economy, August 2026 · Bank of Uganda: Monetary Policy Statement, October 2026

What is the poverty rate in Uganda?

16.1% of Uganda's people lived below the national poverty line in 2023, according to World Bank Open Data, read on 15 October 2026. At the international line of US$3.00 a day (2021 prices), the figure for 2023 is 54.4%.

The two lines measure different things. The national line reflects the cost of basic needs in Uganda as set from the national household survey, while the international line is set for comparing countries and is higher than Uganda's own line. The Uganda Bureau of Statistics compiles the underlying figures, but its website could not be reached on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: World Bank: poverty at national lines, Uganda · World Bank: poverty at $3.00 a day, Uganda

How fast are prices rising in Uganda?

According to the IMF, consumer price inflation in Uganda was 3.6% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 2.2% (2021) to 16.6% (2011). It is 17th highest of 39 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 3.4%. World rank, highest first: 65th of 165.

What is household spending per person in Uganda?

$725: that is household consumption per person in Uganda for 2025, according to the World Bank. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 20th highest of 37 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is $840. Of 124 countries with 2025 data, 107th highest.

What share of people in Uganda live in extreme poverty?

54.4%: that is the share of people living on less than $3.00 a day in Uganda for 2023, according to the World Bank. No year since 2005 has been lower. Of 59 countries with 2023 data, 1st highest.

What is the poverty rate in Uganda?

According to the World Bank, the share of people below the national poverty line in Uganda was 16.1% in 2023. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 24.8%, and Uganda placed 4th highest of 5. Worldwide: 27th of 39.

What is income inequality in Uganda?

In 2023, the Gini index in Uganda was 38.2, according to the World Bank. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Worldwide: 20th of 59.

How many people in Uganda go hungry?

The FAO puts moderate or severe food insecurity in Uganda at 51.6% in 2024. That is the lowest since at least 2015. It is 23rd highest of 34 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 60.5%. Worldwide: 27th of 135.