KAMPALA, July 11 (Xinhua) -- Police in the Ugandan capital Kampala on Wednesday foiled a protest against a recently imposed social media and mobile money tax in the east African country.
Police was engaged in running battles with hundreds of protestors who attempted to access the city center.
Police fired teargas and live bullets in the air to disperse the surging crowds who wanted to show their frustrations over the new taxes.
Luke Owoyesigyire, the Kampala Metropolitan police spokesperson, told Xinhua in an interview that the police foiled the demonstration because the organizers did not seek permission from the force.
"This was an unlawful assembly. They didn't write to us (police) to seek permission as the law demands. We have two people in our custody for inciting the public," said Owoyesigyire.
He said police has summoned Robert Kyagulanyi, a legislator who was among the ringleaders of the failed demonstration.
"We have summoned him to answer charges of inciting the public. If he fails, we shall arrest him," said Owoyesigyire.
Activists who include opposition legislators, artists, bloggers, media practitioners and civil society urged the public to come out in big numbers to protest the daily fee of 200 shillings (0.05 U.S. dollars) for social media use and 0.5 percent excise duty on mobile money transactions.
The activists want the new taxes abolished claiming they are unfair, costly, prohibitive and limit people's individual freedoms.
Telecommunication companies on July 1 started enforcing the excise duty charge on Over-The-Top services dubbed 'social media tax' and the levy on mobile money transactions.
