National budget includes US$1,500 per tonne levy on plastics, drawing opposition from manufacturers

According to ChimpReports, the Shs84.3 trillion national budget passed the week before publication includes a levy of US$1,500 per tonne on plastics, due to take effect in July 2026; the government says it will raise revenue and reduce pollution. Coca-Cola Beverages Uganda, the Uganda Manufacturers Association and Mukwano Group said the tax would cost jobs, raise consumer prices, encourage smuggling and harm recycling investment, and the UMA called for the tax's application to be halted.