The Prime Minister of Uganda Dr Ruhakana Rugunda has announced that the Excise Duty (Amendment) Act 2018, which imposed taxes on Social Media and Mobile Money, will be reviewed.
In a statement to Parliament, Mr Rugunda said the taxes on Mobile Money transactions and Over the Top Services (OTT) commonly known as social media have caused alot of discussion in the public, and the government has taken note.
''Government is now reviewing the taxes taking into consideration the concerns of the public and its implications on the budget. The review is being expedited to ensure that Government presents an Amendment of the Excise Duty (Amendment) Act 2018 to this House for debate on Thursday next week (19th July 2018)'' Rugunda said.

READ: Telecoms regulator says Uganda's Social Media tax is here to stay

The Excise Duty (Amendment) Bill 2018 was presented to this August House, debated and passed by Parliament. It also assented to by the President and became an Act of Parliament.
The Act imposes a 1% Levy on receiving, payments and withdraws through mobile money platforms. In addition, it imposes a specific charge of Uganda Shillings (shs.) 200 on over the top (OTT) services per day of access.

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President Museveni recently said that he was willing to have a discussion on the Mobile Money tax, but the tax on Social Media platforms should stay.
On Wednesday morning, police were forced to use teargas and live bullets to disperse a protest against social media led by Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine.

READ MORE: Police fire teargas and bullets to block social media tax protest