A group of 5 Ugandans alongside a company named Cyber Law initiative (U) Limited on Monday petitioned the Constitutional court, demanding for withdrawal of the controversial social media which was put into action on July 1, 2018.
According to the petition, five individuals Daniel Bill Opio, Silver Kayondo, Moses Baguma, and Raymond Mujuni will be facing off with the two implementing government agencies – Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) and the Uganda Revenue Authority.
The attorney general has been named as the defendant in the case. As government moved to ratify the taxes, the petitioners argue, Parliament contravened articles 29,43,79,8A (1) and 20 of the 1995 constitution by not consulting the public before amending section 3(b) and 6(e) of the Excise duty act 2018.
The petitioners also claim that these taxes violate and are inconsistent with national interests and common good of online promotion of accountability in running of the public affair as stipulated under Article 8(A) and national objectives and directive principles of State Policy xxvi of the 1995 constitution.
This, they say, is a breach of fundamental human rights and freedoms.
In their petition, the lawyers say they want the court to, within six months, block the agencies from implementing the tax. They also want the government to roll out regulations for access to social media in a manner that guarantees free access, neutrality and open internet principles.
On June 31, telecommunications companies announced that working on a government directive, they will start charging Shs200 for one to access social media on a daily basis. The development has since prompted an uproar, with the majority citing unfairness and gag on freedom of speech.
