Uganda's government has introduced a 12% excise tax on mobile data, triggering widespread criticism from opposition figures and civil society groups who argue it threatens free speech and educational access.
The levy, implemented on Thursday, replaces a controversial 2018 social media tax that faced mass protests. Finance ministry official Amos Lugoloobi stated the new policy aims to fund public services and drive industrialization, but opposition leader Bobi Wine called it a "paranoid, greedy regime's" attack on civil liberties.
Impact on Students and Education ¶
Human rights lawyer Moses Serwanga warned the tax would burden students relying on online learning during the coronavirus lockdown. "The 12% surcharge makes internet access unaffordable for many," he said, citing constitutional rights to education and information. Internet user Mary Ruth Akol confirmed the financial strain, stating she had to disconnect from the web due to rising costs.
Previous Tax and Enforcement Challenges ¶
The 2018 social media tax required users to pay 200 shillings daily to access platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp. It led to violent clashes with police and widespread use of virtual private networks (VPNs) to bypass restrictions. While the new tax is embedded in data packages, Serwanga cautioned it would still restrict access for low-income users.
Uganda's communications regulator reported 18.8 million internet users as of December 2020, raising concerns about how the tax will affect this population during a period of heightened lockdown measures.
