ZCZC
BCN-32
UGANDA-INTERNET-TAXATION
Uganda police fire teargas, bullets at social media tax protest
KAMPALA, July 11, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Ugandan police fired live bullets and
teargas Wednesday to break up a crowd of demonstrators who had gathered to
protest a controversial tax on the use of social media.
Since the beginning of the month access to media such as WhatsApp, Facebook
and Twitter, as well as dating sites Tinder and Grindr, have been blocked
unless users pay a 200-shilling ($0.05, 0.04 euro) daily tax.
In a statement, President Yoweri Museveni justified the move saying many
citizens did not pay their taxes as they were meant to, and should not
“donate money to foreign companies through chatting or even lying” on social
media.
Wednesday’s rally was led by singer and parliamentarian Bobi Wine — real
name Robert Kyagulanyi — whose election last year was fuelled by social
media.
Scores of protesters marched towards parliament, with the rally turning
chaotic as a large group of market vendors and motorcycle taxi drivers faced
off against police in anti-riot gear, with some lobbing stones at the
officers.
“Teargas was fired and some live ammunition was fired into the air to
disperse the crowd,” police spokesman Luke Owoyesigire, adding two protesters
had been arrested.
“During the unlawful procession officers had to act. Some of our officers
were assaulted.”
Police attempted to arrest Wine, but his supporters successfully defended
him and he arrived at parliament where he hopes to address MPs later
Wednesday.
“We set out to show our displeasure at the social media and mobile money
taxes. We had informed the police of our intention to march and so we are
dismayed at the use of brute force and live ammunition to break up a peaceful
protest,” said one of the organisers, prominent television journalist Raymond
Mujuni.
“It’s not right. Our rights as citizens are being trampled upon.”
BSS/AFP/SR/1850 HRS