Uganda's Social Media Tax to Be Reviewed Following Violent Protests

After a protest in the Ugandan capital of Kampala turned violent on July 11, government officials announced a review of a controversial tax imposed on the use of social media in the country.At the beginning of July, access to social media apps such as WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter, as well as many dating sites such as Tinder and Grindr, was blocked unless users paid a daily tax of 200 shillings (US$0.05).On July 11, a group of protesters, led by parliamentarian, activist and musician Bobi Wine, marched through Kampala. According to local reports, police fired tear gas and live ammunition and two people were arrested.Following the protests, Ugandan Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda announced that a review would be conducted on the social media tax “taking into consideration the concerns of the public and its implications on the budget.” Credit: Bobi Wine via Storyful