Uganda's 2018 Social Media Tax Linked to 2.5 Million Internet User Drop, $1.2M Mobile Money Loss, 2019 Report Reveals

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Nyakundi Report

Newsroom 1 min read

A 2019 analysis by Nairobi Law Monthly highlighted significant declines in Uganda's digital infrastructure following the 2018 social media tax implementation. The Uganda Communications Commission reported a 2.5 million drop in internet subscriptions and 1.2 million fewer users of over-the-top (OTT) media services within three months of the levy's introduction. Mobile money transactions also fell by 4.5 trillion Ugandan shillings ($1.2 million) during the same period.

Amazon expanded payment options in Kenya to accommodate cash-based consumers. The company introduced Amazon PayCode, enabling purchases to be settled through Western Union agents. Users receive a QR code during checkout that verifies their order for in-person payment. This cross-border solution launched in Kenya alongside nine other African, Asian, and Latin American countries.

Kenyan ride-hailing startups are testing alternative transit models to address public transport challenges. Little, Swvl, and Safiri Express have initiated bus shuttle pilots in Nairobi, aiming to reduce stops, lower costs, and improve safety compared to conventional systems.

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