Ugandans will pay more for bread starting Monday, November 2, after the Uganda Bakers Association announced price increases driven by rising costs of raw materials and transportation. The wholesale price of a 1kg loaf will rise from Shs5,500, with the recommended retail price expected to reach at least Shs6,500. A 500g loaf is also expected to increase from Shs3,000 to between Shs3,300 and Shs3,500.
The association's chairperson, Gaster Lule Ntakke, said the decision followed a general meeting where members reviewed production costs before agreeing on the new prices. He attributed the increase to rising prices of wheat flour, yeast and transportation, saying bakeries could no longer absorb the additional costs without affecting their operations. "After thorough discussions and calculations, we resolved to adjust our prices because the cost of our raw materials and transportation has continued to increase," Ntakke said.
Ntakke appealed to consumers to bear with the bakers, arguing that the adjustment was necessary to sustain production while maintaining the quality of bread supplied to the market. He said the association remained committed to producing bread that meets the required measurements and quality standards set by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards. The final retail price may vary between bakeries and outlets.
The bread price increase comes amid broader cost-of-living pressures. Fuel prices have attracted scrutiny in Parliament, with legislators raising concerns about petrol and diesel prices approaching Shs7,000 per litre. The government has attributed fuel price increases to fluctuations in international oil prices, depreciation of the Uganda shilling and a Shs200 increase in fuel excise duty introduced in the 2026/2027 financial year. Higher fuel costs feed into the prices of goods as manufacturers, distributors and retailers face increased expenses transporting raw materials and finished products.
Higher bread prices will add to the cost burden on households already facing rising living costs, affecting household budgets and the affordability of a staple food item.