OTT Tax: ‘Opposition playing cheap politics’ as UCC moves to close unlicensed media houses

The introduction of Over The Top [OTT] tax also known as Social Media Tax by government is reaching extreme debate with finger pointing starting to emerge.

Frank Tumwebaze, Minister of ICT is blaming the opposition political leaders in the country for spreading negative statement aimed at gaining cheap popularity.

Speaking to journalists at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala where the Annual  Broadcasters’ Conference was held on Wednesday, Mr Tumwebaze says the Social Media Tax was passed in Parliament in full presence of opposition MPs.

He accuses Leader of Opposition in Parliament [LoP], MP Winnie Kizza, MPs, Robert Kyagulanyi widely known as Bobi Wine, Gerald Karuhanga, among other MPs whom he says are making negative statement after the tax started biting Ugandans.

“They were in Parliament. We didn’t see any protestations even from LoP. In the Parliament Hansard, go and see what Bobi Wine said, what Karughanga said. That is cheap politics,” he added.

“May be the method of paying taxes is what Ugandans are surprised with. Why not deduct from their airtime, etc? It’s a tax not for X or Y. Everybody feels it,” Tumwebabze says.

According to the Minister, OTT tax hasn’t restricted Goggle searching and email communications to Ugandans.

Related: Social Media Tax to broaden revenue base, says Bahati

Earlier on, Tumwebabze, speaking to audience as the Guest of Honor at the same conference said Radios have become a source of conflict especially for politicians.

“Look at the quality of contents we send out. Let’s look at the quality of people we put behind the microphone, we need to discuss the question of on job training for our young people because quality of content is paramount,” Minister says.

Similarly, Mr Godfrey Mutabazi, the Uganda Communications Commission [UCC] Executive Director warned media houses against hosting pastors who insults, defame fellow or rival pastors.

“It has come to our attention that some pastors have turned Radio and TV stations into battle grounds to send insults and defame fellow or rival pastors. It’s unfortunate that some of these people have used religion to defraud or mislead unsuspecting members of the public,” Mutabazi noted.

He warned that unlicensed media houses, including online newspapers which he says broadcast fake news face immediate closure.

Section 5(x) of the UCC Act of 2013 mandates the Commission to set standards, monitor and enforce compliance relating to content.

The objectives of the standards aim to promote responsible broadcasting and protect viewers and reduce undue offence and harm.

It also provides guidance to broadcasters in relation to matters falling within the scope of the standards, among others.