You’ve heard of taxing sugary drinks, but what about cow dung? In a move that’s raising eyebrows (and hopefully some revenue!), Kiruhura District Western part of Uganda has introduced a fee for loading up this unlikely commodity.
The district, known for its large cattle population, has seen a steady stream of trucks hauling away dung to be sold as fertilizer in other regions. This “brown gold” is in high demand, with a single Fuso truckload fetching up to a whopping Shs150,000!
Local officials, facing a shortfall in revenue collection, saw an opportunity in this unusual export. With collection targets consistently being missed like in 2022 when they only managed to rake in Shs800 million of their Shs2.5 billion goal – they decided it was time to cash in.
But don’t worry, they’re not just filling up the district coffers. Charles Nsubuga Kiberu, Kiruhura’s Chief Administrative Officer, points out that these heavy trucks take a toll on their roads. The new fees, he argues, are a way for the district to benefit from their valuable resource and reinvest in essential services.
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So, how much will this bovine levy set you back? Prices range from Shs10,000 for a pick-up truck to Shs100,000 for a hefty Sino truck. Time will tell if this unique revenue stream will be a cash cow for Kiruhura District or just a load of… well, you know.
