Traders defy Museveni's directive on food prices

Traders have decided to take advantage of the crisis coronavirus by increasing the prices of their goods.

On Tuesday, President Museveni warned traders who are inflating prices of foodstuffs and basic supplies in the country in the face of coronavirus pandemic and that they may face arrest.

The president said that there will be spies around town to curb these crooks thus losing their trade licenses.

“I hear there are crooks hiking the prices of food. I will send my spies to the market and if I find anybody hiking the prices, I will cancel their licenses,” he said.

President Museveni while addressing the nation last week on Wednesday.

He wondered what is driving the prices of products so high yet they are not even imported.

However, this has not stopped traders in rural areas like Packwach, Nebbi, Arua, Koboko from taking advantage of the crisis in the country.

On Wednesday, police arrested four traders in Koboko town in Northern Uganda for raising the prices of their commodities and are currently detained at the police station.

Some of the culprits being taken to the police station in Koboko.

The culprits included three Indians and a Ugandan trader who were arrested for increasing the prices of goods like salt, sugar and other items in the shop.

This came after several consumers had complained about their prices referring to them as opportunists.

Koboko Resident District Commissioner, Capt. Yahaya Kakooza said, “It is true that coronavirus came with different impact but we shouldn’t use it as an advantage to exploit the poor.

The people of Koboko never created coronavirus. Why must you hike prices just to fleece these poor people! This is against the law and you will have to face the courts of law.”

Lists of some foods with increased prices in rural areas.

· Salt- The price of salt is now at Shs 3500 from Shs 600 and a carton is at Shs 90,000 from Shs 21000.

· Sugar- A kilogram of sugar costs Shs 5000 from Shs 3500.

· Beans- A kilogram of beans is at Shs 4500 from Shs 2000.

Uganda has recently reported 8 confirmed cases of coronavirus and it has taken all precautionary measures to contain them.

Meanwhile, Museveni has also urged Ugandans to avoid using public means of transport; something he says will go a long way in curtailing the spread of Covid-19.