As one of the measures to raise local revenue, Kiruhura District authorities have introduced a levy on cow dung that is collected from the area.
In a circular released on September 23, 2023, the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Kiruhura District Kiberu Charles Nsubuga instructed all Sub-county Chiefs and Town Clerks in the district to immediately start implementating a new fees policy by collecting fees ranging from UGX10,000 to UGX100,000 from each vehicle that loads cow dung from the area.
According to the CAO the new revenue enhancement and charge policy is legit and the rates were approved by Kiruhura District council for the financial year 2024/2025.
According to the circular, the cow dung loading rates are; 10,000/ for a One tonne Pick-up truck, 30,000/ for a 3 tonne Canter Lorry, 50,000/ for a 5-tonne Forward Tipper Lorry, 70,000/ for 7-tonne Fuso Lorry, and 100,000/ for a 10-tonne Sino Truck.
“The revenue collection tickets for the above item are available in our stores and your compliance on this matter is very crucial” Mr Kiberu noted.
Cow dung, also known as cow pats, cow pies, cow poop or cow manure, is the waste product (faeces) of domestic cattle (“cows”) composing mainly the undigested residue of plant matter which has passed through the animal’s gut.
The resultant faecal matter is rich in minerals and it has since become an item of value to farmers who use it as manure. The dung is preserved to dry and later spread across crop fields before the planting season.