Hell broke loose in Kampala as police fired live bullets and teargas at activists who were demonstrating against social media and mobile money taxes.
In the 2018/19 financial year budget, government introduced a 1% tax on each mobile money transaction and a 200 shillings tax on social media also known as Over the Top -OTT. These taxes have been criticized by citizens across the country.
Activists led by Kyadondo East MP, Robert Kyagulanyi held a peaceful demonstration starting from Mini-Price in Kampala up to the constitutional square and wanted to go to parliament to meet with the speaker so that she could listen to their pleas. However, they were intercepted by Police in front of Mapeera House.
The group also comprised of journalists, youth and musicians who chanted; 'people power, people power this tax must go". Donning red clothes, the demonstrators were supposed to start their procession from the Constitutional Square, but police led by Joseph Bakaleke, the District Police Commander Central Police Station sealed off the area and fired live bullets and teargas to dispersing them.
In dramatic scenes, protesters fought and overpowered police, releasing Kyagulanyi who had been forced into a waiting police car. They then run together with the legislator, back to Mini price.
According to Joel Senyonyi a journalist who was part of the demonstration, they wrote to police seeking permission, but despite receipt of their letter, police did not respond.
Senyonyi now says they will assess the situation and see how they can continue exerting pressure on the government to scrap the tax. Musician Hillary Kiyaga, alias Dr Hilderman, says they are fighting for the many Ugandans who are being oppressed.
“We are showing government that we are not happy with the way they levied the social media and mobile money tax. It is too high” Hilderman said.
