THE Bank of Uganda on Wednesday blamed “speculators” for the free-fall of the shilling, after its efforts to shore up the currency by selling $25,6-million failed to halt the slide. On Wednesday the dollar bought 1535 shillings and was selling for 1570 shillings. BOU spokesman Walugembe Musoke said speculators are creating abnormal demands on the market after the Ugandan economy suffered unprecedented shock this year, eroding its foreign exchange sources significantly. “Speculators are damaging the economy,” Musoke said. Between July 1998 and April 1999, the shilling fell by by 18,9%. “Uncertainty related to developments in the Great Lakes Region, and lingering effects on the tourism sector due to the March 1 incident at southwest Uganda’s Bwindi National Park,” were also factors, said the statement, referring to the murder of eight tourists by Interahamwe militiamen.