The government of Uganda has scrapped off the unpopular Over The Top tax after a total of three years of public outcry and avoidance by internet users.
The tax has been barring Ugandans from accessing top social media channels of Facebook, Whatsapp, Twitter, Instagram, WeChat etc without payment.
Even though the tax has been removed as of July 1st 2021 and replaced with excise duty on internet data, Facebook which is the most popular social media site in Uganda is still blocked.
Facebook was blocked in Uganda early this year being accused by the Incumbent president Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for blocking pages of NRM bloggers who include Bajjo, Full Figure, Isma Olaxes, Ashburg Katto etc.
The removal of OTT but continued block of Facebook has made various social media users to keep using third party apps – VPN- to access the blue app.
Government hasn’t revealed any plans to allow unrestricted access to Facebook and maintains its stand that Facebook should unblock all accounts of its bloggers and allow equal access to its platform for it to be allowed in the country.