The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has summoned telecom companies after reports that users are using Virtual Private Networks (VPN’s) to dodge the daily OTT tax payments.
Godfrey Mutabazi, the regulator’s Executive Director, now wants telecom companies to block VPN access that some users have resorted following the July 1 implementation of tax known as Social Media tax.
“Ugandans don’t know that it is even cheaper to pay the tax than using VPNs as they consume more data,” he said.
For one to gain access to social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp et al, they have to part with a daily Shs200 valid till midnight.
The tax has elicited anger countrywide as opposition politicians, civil society organisations and NGOs asking Ugandans to use all avenues to boycott the tax.