Food Prices Rise In Yei Due To Increase In Dollar Value

11 February 2011 - (Yei) – Yei River county commissioner, David Lokong’a says prices of basic commodities are increasing due to lack of US dollar in the county.

Speaking to SRS by phone from Yei on Friday, Lokong’a said that the problem is also affecting students studying in Uganda.

[David Lokong’a]: “Well we have a problem of dollar here; the dollar rate is 350 for 100 dollar. It is very high and now this one actually is creating a more problem especially for the students who are learning in Uganda. They are finding this very difficult because the Sudanese pound is very low. Again, the other people who are going for medication in Uganda also find it very difficult really and this is generally what is happening. Basically the business community is really affected highly because of the dollar to Sudanese pound and this is where you find that the commodity has gone higher simply because of the dollar issue.’’

Lokong’a also attributed the increase of prices of food items to poor roads linking Yei town to the rural areas.

[David Lokong’a]: “We have food in the rural areas but because the roads are not good like Ombasi, Lasu and the other areas. You find out that the roads are not good find out that it is very difficult to transport the food. Really you know the town is highly populated and find that really the prices of food commodities are very high.’’

The Commissioner of Yei River county, David Lokong’a was speaking to SRS by phone from Yei on Friday.