LONDON

The East African nation Uganda has imposed a controversial tax on people using social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Viber and Twitter in a move to curb “gossip” and raise revenue, the media reported.

According to the new Excise Duty (Amendment) Bill, to be in effect from 1 July, a fine of 200 shilling [$0.05) daily would be imposed on people using these platforms, the BBC reported late on Thursday.

President Yoweri Museveni had pushed for the changes, arguing that social media encouraged gossip.

The law should come into effect on 1 July but there remain doubts about how it will be implemented

In a letter to Finance Minister Matia Kasaija, Museveni insisted that the revenue collected by the social media tax would help the country “cope with consequences of olugambo (gossiping)”.

The revenue raised is also intended to help pay off of the country’s growing national debt, the report said. State Minister for Finance David Bahati told parliament that the tax increases were needed to help Uganda pay off its growing national debt.

However, experts and at least one major internet service provider have raised doubts about how a daily tax on social media will be implemented, the BBC reported. The government is struggling to ensure all mobile phone SIM cards are properly registered, it noted.

The law is expected to come into effect on July 1 but there remain doubts about how it will be implemented