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Uganda will review a tax on the use of social media, the prime minister said Wednesday after a protest against the controversial measure was broken up by police firing live rounds and teargas into the air.

Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda told parliament that President Museveni had “encouraged further discussion” on the fiercely-contested levy.

“Government is now reviewing the taxes taking into consideration the concerns of the public” and an amended bill will be debated on July 19, said Rugunda.

Since the start of July, 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 ($0.05, 0.04 euro) daily tax.

Museveni last week had defended the move, saying many citizens did not pay their taxes as they ought to, and should not “donate money to foreign companies through chatting or even lying” on social media.

Photo courtesy of Rob Tinworth.