Imagine having to pay a daily tax to use social media apps like Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp. Well, that’s exactly what is happening now in the country of Uganda because it’s the law.

Photo Credit: Global Voices

In May 2018, the government of Uganda passed the new tax law that forces citizens to pay roughly the equivalent of 5 cents U.S. to use social media.

Photo Credit: Twitter

People were shocked that the law was real and expressed their displeasure on, you guessed it, Twitter.

Photo Credit: Facebook

Photo Credit: Twitter

Many in Uganda believe the tax is meant to control young people and to stop the spread of ideas through social media. And Ugandans are worried about how it will affect the economy.

Photo Credit: Twitter

But the people are fighting back.

Photo Credit: Twitter

Amnesty International’s director for East Africa said, “It is not the place of the Ugandan authorities to determine what discussions taking place on social media platforms are useful. Rather, it is their responsibility to uphold and nurture unfettered enjoyment of the right to freedom of expression, both online and offline. Social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp have opened up cheaper avenues of communication and information sharing in Uganda. By making people pay for using these platforms, this tax will render these avenues of communication inaccessible for low-income earners, robbing many people of their right to freedom of expression, with a chilling effect on other human rights.”

“This is a clear attempt to silence dissent, in the guise of raising government revenues.”

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