Uganda's central bank lowered its benchmark Central Bank Rate (CBR) by another 50 basis points to 11.5 percent, saying a "further cautious easing of monetary policy is warranted to support economic activity" as the medium-term outlook for inflation is unchanged despite a worsening of the outlook in the short term.
Bank of Uganda (BOU) has now cut its CBR rate by 550 basis points since it began an easing cycle in April 2016 as core inflation has remained within its target range of 5 percent, plus/minus 3 percentage points.
Uganda's core inflation rate rose to 5.9 percent in December from 5.2 percent in November but the BOU said this was mainly due to higher international oil and food prices, and weak demand will continue to hold back inflation so it will remain within the target range though it will rise temporarily.
Over the next 12 months, the BOU expects inflation to return to the 5 percent target over the next as economic growth picks up.
"The more favourable shilling exchange rate has been an important factor in offsetting some of the upward pressures on inflation," the BOU said, adding the rate remains vulnerable to shocks.
The shilling fell in the second half of last year but has been more stable since early December. The shilling was trading at 3,582.9 to the U.S. dollar today, up 0.5 percent this year.
Uganda's economy has slowed in recent years, hit by weak global growth, adverse weather and muted sentiment during an election year, and the BOU revised downward its forecast for 2016/17 growth, which ends June 30, to 4.5 percent from a previous 5.0 percent.
In 2015/16 Uganda's economy grew by 4.8 percent.
But prospects for 2017/18 are seen as better due to higher public infrastructure investment, a recovery in private investment and improved agricultural output and consumption along with an expected improvement in global economic conditions.
The BOU forecast Gross Domestic Product growth of 5.5 percent in 2017/18.
