Matooke vendors decry high taxes

Sep 25, 2020

Vendors said taxing each bunch of matooke at sh500 is more expensive and makes their profits too low to sustain the business.

MATOOKE|VENDORS|TAXES

KABAROLE - Matooke vendors in Fort Portal, Kabarole district, have expressed frustration over what they called high taxes that they experience in the business.

Matooke production has over the years transformed livelihoods across the district, with many depending on it to earn a living. However, many of the sellers say they are now struggling.

Matooke production has over the years transformed livelihoods across the district.

The cost of a bunch of matooke is as low as sh2,000. The traders have to pay a tax of sh500 for every bunch of matooke.

Amos Gava, a vendor at Kitumba matooke market, said: "Taxing each bunch of matooke at sh500 is more expensive and makes our profits too low to sustain the business."

Paul Isingoma, the chairperson of the market, said the tender was bought expensively from the council, which he said might have caused hiking of taxes.