The monthly Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released on November 10 shows that the urban index, which serves as the headline measure for monetary policy, rose by 1.3 percent compared to September 2025. Over the past 12 months, the average annual inflation rate stood at 6.7 percent.
Sector-wise, health costs recorded the sharpest increase among major categories, soaring by 71.3 percent year-on-year, followed by restaurants and hotels (+19.1%) and alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and narcotics (+16.0%). Separately, meat prices rose by 19.2 percent. Prices in housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels increased by 7.5 percent, while transport costs were up 8.5 percent.
By contrast, vegetable prices fell by 9.5 percent, easing food inflation pressures. The overall category of food and non-alcoholic beverages rose by a modest 1.6 percent compared to October 2024.
The report further shows that imported goods prices increased by 9.1 percent over the year, slightly higher than the 6.4 percent rise in local goods, reflecting ongoing external cost pressures. The energy index climbed by 10.9 percent year-on-year, while fresh products saw a mild increase of 0.4 percent.
In rural areas, the CPI rose by 3.8 percent compared to October last year and by 0.8 percent month-on-month. The overall national CPI, combining both rural and urban data, increased by 5.1 percent year-on-year and 1.0 percent from the previous month.
The report also noted that underlying inflation, which excludes fresh food and energy, stood at 9.0 percent on an annual basis and 0.8 percent monthly, signalling continued upward pressure in core consumer prices.
NISR compiles the CPI using prices of 1,622 products collected across 12 urban centres and rural areas nationwide. The indicator tracks the average change over time in prices paid by households for goods and services and serves as a key benchmark for monetary policy decisions.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
