The Ugandan government's social media tax has triggered a significant decline in online activity, with over 2.5 million users discontinuing internet subscriptions since its implementation.
Introduced in July 2018, the levy targets 60 platforms including Facebook, WhatsApp, and Twitter, aiming to curb 'gossip' deemed 'over the top' by President Yoweri Museveni. The policy also seeks to generate revenue to achieve middle-income status by 2020.
According to the Uganda Communications Commission, internet subscriptions dropped by 2.5 million within three months of the tax's introduction. Mobile money transactions, critical for financial inclusion, fell 25% to 14.8tn Ugandan shillings between June and September 2019.
Critics argue the tax suppresses free speech and political dissent, with activists challenging its constitutionality. The government maintains the measure addresses misinformation while funding economic development.
