I wish to respond to concerns that the prices of commodities have risen countrywide. It is true inflation in Uganda is now rated at 21.4 %, the highest in East Africa. A kilo of sugar costs about Shs7,000. A 50-kg bag  of sugar costs over Shs250,000. 
 Unscruplous business people are believed to be behind the price hike according to President Museveni.

The price may be too high for an ordinary citizen to afford. However, there is a ray of hope in how to manage the dilemma of ignoring sugar especially when you have children.
In Arua, town, for instance, a 20- litre jerrican of honey costs about Shs160,000. This can serve a family of about ten people for four months. Honey is highly nutritious compared to sugar especially for young children.
The benefits of honey go beyond its great taste. It is a great source of carbohydrates which provide energy to our bodies. Honey is known for its effectiveness in instantly boosting the performance and endurance of athletes and reducing their muscle fatigue during exercise. The glucose in honey is absorbed by the body quickly and gives an immediate energy boost, while the fructose is absorbed more slowly, providing sustained energy.  
  It is known that honey has also been found to keep levels of blood sugar fairly constant compared to other types of sugar.
Among the many health benefits of honey, what is most impressive to me–is that it can be a powerful immune system booster. Honey’s antioxidant and anti-bacterial properties can help improve digestion and help you stay healthy and fight disease.
Start every brand new day with this cleansing tonic if you want to see this health benefit of honey: before breakfast, mix a spoonful of honey and juice from half a lemon into a cup of warm water and drink it. Honey does not cure cancer but what many people have overlooked is that honey possesses carcinogen-preventing and anti-tumor properties.
For thousands of years, honey has been recognised as one of the most natural home remedies to a wide range of ailments and complaints including yeast infection, athlete’s foot and arthritis. Its antiseptic properties inhibit the growth of certain bacteria and helps keep external wounds clean and free from infection.
Honey has been used as a natural cure in first-aid treatment for wounds, burns and cuts as it is able to absorb moisture from the air and promote healing. Its antibacterial properties prevent infection and inflammation, reducing both swelling and pain, and even scarring. It is widely believed that honey is preferred for wound dressing due to its strong antibacterial property.
One of the better known health benefits of honey is that it is able to help treat sore throats.
Thanks to its antimicrobial properties, honey not only soothes throats but can also kill certain bacteria that cause the infection. Professional singers commonly use honey to soothe their throats before performances.
The Chinese believe that excess ‘heartiness’ in the body causes sore throat and drinking  honey can be helpful.
Parents should mind about the health of their family. One kilo of sugar to back up honey would help parents save the life of their children and money a lot.
 Let us focus on this plan B and shall not regret. To every problem, there is a solution.

The writer is a  tutor at Uganda Christian University and researcher in peace and conflict studies.