UPDATE 1 — Uganda central bank hikes key rate to stem currency fall

(Adds governor quotes in paragraphs 3-4 and more context on the currency in paragraph 5) KAMPALA, Oct 14 (Reuters) — Uganda's central bank hiked its main interest rate by 2.25 percentage points on Wednesday in an effort to halt a sharp slide in the shilling currency. The decision, taken at an emergency policy meeting, takes the rate to 12.0% from 9.75% previously. Governor Michael Atingi-Ego told a press conference that since the bank's last meeting in August the current account had worsened significantly. The shilling's depreciation — it is down about 12% year to date against the dollar — could amplify inflation and necessitated a tighter monetary policy stance, he added. Traders and the central bank have linked the pressure on the shilling to soaring demand for hard currency from oil importers because of high global energy prices driven by the Iran war, coupled with offshore investors exiting government bonds. (Reporting by Elias Biryabarema; Additional reporting by Sfundo Parakozov and Vincent Mumo Nzilani; Writing George Obulutsa; Editing by Alexander Winning) ((george.obulutsa@thomsonreuters.com; Reuters Messaging: george.obulutsa.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)