Godfrey Mutabazi the Uganda Communications Commission Executive Director has directed telecommunication companies to block virtual private networks (VPN) applications that are aiding Ugandans to evade social media tax.
The development comes after government put into effect the Uganda shilling 200 per day Over the Top (OTT) commonly known as social media tax at the start of the 2018/2019 financial year. The unpopular tax has triggered anger from Ugandans.
While some have resentfully paid it, others are evading it to access social sites using VPNs applications.
Now, virtual private networks enable internet users to use data bought from Uganda telecom companies but hide their Internet Protocol (IP) addresses which are distributed geographically and can be used to identify internet users' location. People with VPN unblocked their social media sites without paying tax.
But, Mutabazi says telecom companies promised and are already blocking VPNs, adding that there are many VPNs, admitting that not all of them can be blocked.
He also argues that those who are going for VPNs instead of paying the social media tax are taking an unwise decision as they allegedly consume more data than the Uganda shilling 200 that is paid as social media tax.
The UCC boss said Ugandans should pay the tax instead of going for VPNs. "It's a government decision it's not a UCC decision. People should pay tax. It's a law, if the government says pay tax, you should pay," he said.
A constitutional petition challenging the tax is expected to be filed in court today.