War might start between Iran, Israel and America. Uganda will feel the pain even though no bombs will fall here. The fighting will hurt our wallets and make life harder for everyone. Most people think foreign wars do not matter much. They are wrong about this one.
Iran controls a narrow sea path called the Strait of Hormuz. One out of every five barrels of oil travels through this water. Iran says they will block ships if war breaks out. Oil prices will shoot up fast when this happens. Uganda buys over 1.6 billion liters of fuel each year from other countries.
Fuel costs around 5,100 shillings per liter right here. War could push prices up to 8,000 shillings or more. Truck drivers will charge farmers more money to move crops. Shops will raise food prices to cover higher transport bills. Regular families spend almost half their money on food already.
Moving maize from Gulu to Kampala takes 400 liters of diesel. That trip costs 2 million shillings for fuel alone today. Higher diesel prices would add 1.2 million shillings to each journey. Families earning 300,000 shillings monthly would lose 45,000 shillings from rising prices. Many people would eat two meals instead of three each day.
African countries buy most of their fuel from other places. Ships carrying oil and food might face delays through dangerous waters. Western nations give Uganda more than 5 trillion shillings each year. War spending could reduce aid money for poor countries. Government leaders must build bigger fuel reserves and cut taxes on gas.
Iran controls a narrow sea path called the Strait of Hormuz. One out of every five barrels of oil travels through this water. Iran says they will block ships if war breaks out. Oil prices will shoot up fast when this happens. Uganda buys over 1.6 billion liters of fuel each year from other countries.
Fuel costs around 5,100 shillings per liter right here. War could push prices up to 8,000 shillings or more. Truck drivers will charge farmers more money to move crops. Shops will raise food prices to cover higher transport bills. Regular families spend almost half their money on food already.
Moving maize from Gulu to Kampala takes 400 liters of diesel. That trip costs 2 million shillings for fuel alone today. Higher diesel prices would add 1.2 million shillings to each journey. Families earning 300,000 shillings monthly would lose 45,000 shillings from rising prices. Many people would eat two meals instead of three each day.
African countries buy most of their fuel from other places. Ships carrying oil and food might face delays through dangerous waters. Western nations give Uganda more than 5 trillion shillings each year. War spending could reduce aid money for poor countries. Government leaders must build bigger fuel reserves and cut taxes on gas.
