Ugandan Police Fire Bullets At Demonstrators Against Social Media Tax

Ugandan police fired live bullets and tear gas on Wednesday to break up a crowd of demonstrators who had gathered to protest a controversial tax on the use of social media.

Since the beginning of the month access to media such as WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter, as well as dating sites tinder and Grindr, have been blocked unless users pay a 200?shilling daily tax.

In a statement, President Yoweri Museveni justified the move saying many citizens did not pay their taxes as they were meant to, and should not "donate money to foreign companies through chatting or even lying" on social media. Wednesday's rally was led by singer and Parliamentarian Bobi Wine whose election last year was fueled by social media.