MPs have rejected a statement by Minister of State for Trade, Harriet Ntabazi on skyrocketing prices of essential commodities, saying that it falls short of providing immediate interventions.
In her statement during Tuesday’s plenary sitting, Ntabazi said that to address the escalating prices of laundry bar soap, cooking oil and sugar, government plans to expand the production of crude palm oil in Buvuma, Kalangala, Bundibugyo, greater Masaka and other areas.
She said this is worsened by the increase of import duty on crude palm oil, a raw material for production of the commodities.
She said that in case of unfair prices, the Petroleum Supply Act, 2003 mandates the Minister of Energy to intervene.
She further blamed the skyrocketing commodity prices on the Ukraine-Russia war which she said has created a shortage of supply of inputs more especially raw materials of some of the goods produced in Uganda.
The Speaker, Anita Among however, demanded that the minister provides immediate, mid-term and long-term solutions.
She also urged the Minister not to compare Uganda with Kenya and Tanzania, saying that the cost of living in Uganda is different from that of the neighbouring countries.
Among added that while the legislators agreed that the Minister of Energy takes action against fuel stations whose pump prices have remained high, nothing has been done.
“We agreed on the issuance of warning letters, closure of some petrol stations but our people are still being exploited,” she said.
She tasked the Prime Minister to present a comprehensive report with immediate solutions.
Nathan Byanyima (NRM, Bukanga North County) said that the neighbouring countries have reduced taxes on fuel as a way of addressing escalating prices of commodities.
Kampala Central Division MP, Muhammad Nsereko asked government to explore the option of cutting taxes on the essential commodities.
Sheema Municipality MP, Dickson Kateshumbwa said the Minister should have first researched on the escalating prices of essential commodities in the East African region, to provide appropriate interventions.
The Leader of the Opposition, Mathias Mpuuga said that the minister’s statement was not clear on government’s commitment on addressing the skyrocketing prices.
He added that the minister should have addressed the House on how the government plans to address the issue of petroleum marking at the Mombasa border point.
