By Melanie Aanyu,

The price of cassava and [cassava] flour has gone through the roof in Busoga Sub-region following President Museveni’s advise to Ugandans to eat cassava as an alternative to bread, whose price has gone up due to disruptions in wheat supply.

The President made the proclamation on May 1, while addressing senior government officials, security operatives and workers’ representatives, among other Ugandans who gathered at Kololo ceremonial grounds to celebrate Labour Day.

Mr Ayub Kitamirike, the chairman of Amber court market in Jinja City said that in the immediate aftermath of President Museveni’s advice [to Ugandans to eat cassava], its price has increased.

Booza Waiswa, a boda boda rider and resident of Danida Village in Danida-Masese, Jinja South division, said he used to buy a kilogramme of cassava flour for his family from Kazimingi market at Shs1,300, but that, too, has increased to Shs1,700.

In Kamuli district, Mr Herbert Ntende, a resident of Kasolwe, and supplier of fresh cassava to Iganga and Tirinyi among other destinations, said from the time the President urged Ugandans to eat cassava, he became their marketer which has seen his supply rise from five to 12 bags daily.