Prices of building materials increased in June 2021 compared to those of May, a report by Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) shows.
According to the report released on August 9, 2021, the average input prices for the whole construction sector increased by 3.74% for the year ending June 2021 compared to 3.28% increase for May 2021.
The items whose prices shot up are iron sheets, lime, steel bars and diesel
The prices also cover material prices, wage rates and equipment hire rates.
According to UBOS, the main contributors to the increase in input prices were non-residential buildings, which registered an increase of 3.32% and residential buildings, which registered an increase of 4.52% prices of inputs.
Also, there was an increase of 3.69% prices of inputs for the civil works subsector.
Members of the public are also concerned about the price increase of items such as sand, stones, murram and bricks.
The cost of an elf truck of plaster sand is now sold at around Shs120,000, up from around Shs90,000 while a forward truck trip has also increased from Shs200,000 to around Shs280,000.
Hardcore stones are now sold at Shs250,000, an increment of Shs50,000 per Forward-truck and Shs120,000 from Shs90,000 per Elf truck.
A clay brick now costs Shs380, up from Shs330.
Isma Jjemba, a truck driver, explains that the increment was triggered by the rise in fuel prices, as well as taxes levied on fuel, motor vehicles and spare parts. He adds that the cost shoots further up depending on the destination of the buyer.
A litre of Petrol is now sold between 3,900 and 4,250 shillings at fuel stations across the region. Diesel is sold between 3600 and 3750 Shillings.