MTN Uganda Scandal: Why are all of these people deported?

There are speculations going on there as the biggest Telecom Company MTN Uganda Limited have been under fire since the midst of January 2019. This has been shown over the recent month, as the leadership and executives have been deported. By my count since mid of January, there been four people.

The three firsts was addressed like this by MTN Group:

MTN Uganda has not been officially notified of the grounds for these arrests and deportations and is trying to establish the precise reasons for the deportations. We are understandably concerned about these developments and the wellbeing of all our employees. MTN Uganda is fully committed to respecting and operating within the laws of the country. Notes to the editor: On Saturday, 19 January 2019, the MTN Uganda Chief Marketing Officer, Olivier Prentout, was arrested by police at Entebbe airport upon arrival from a business trip abroad. On the morning of Monday 21 January 2019, the MTN Uganda Head of Sales and Distribution, Annie Bilenge Tabura, was arrested by unidentified security personnel upon arrival at the MTN headquarter offices, in Kololo, Kampala. Subsequently, both Mr Prentout and Mrs Bilenge have been deported from Uganda to their home countries, France and Rwanda respectively. On the 22 January 2019, Elza Muzzolini, Head of Mobile Financial Services was also deported from Uganda. – Issued by MTN Group Regulatory and Corporate Affairs” (MTN Group, 23.01.2019).

Therefore, three people has already been deported, this being Prentout, Tabura and Muzzolini. They have all been banished from the Republic. Today, it has escalated again, as CEO Wim Vanhelleputte, whose also has been interrogated and been questioned by ISO/CMI during January 2019. Was today on the 14th February 2019 deported to Belgium by the authorities.

Clearly, the state is retaliating, as they are fearing for their safety and the data shedding the company is doing. As there been speculation that the company has had disgruntled staff leaking intelligence to Rwandan Intelligence Service. This has been reported by various of online news-outlets. Therefore, some thinks it is connected to this, that the President and the regime is afraid of this. That is why these people are all deported from the Republic.

It is clear, that there something going on behind the scenes. As the Security Organizations summons, interrogate and deport MTN executives from the Republic. This is happening, as the state are trying to silence the MTN or stop leaked intelligence to Rwanda. We don’t know if that is true or what. But what we do now, is that the Ugandan government and authorities are acting swiftly and retaliates against the high-ranking officials within the Telecom. Peace.

The 200 Shillings of Doom: Tumwebaze mixed messages concerning the Social Media Tax!

We knew that the statements of 2018, as the loyal ICT Minister Frank Tumwebaze hadn’t done his due diligence, as the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) issued a Social Media Tax last year after President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni wrote a letter to the Ministry of Finance asking for the opportunity to tax this.

That has no been done over the last few months, but as the realization of the effects are coming. The forewarning of CSBAG and others wasn’t listen to. I wrote that it lacked due diligence of the tax in June 2018 and today. As I open Daily Monitor and seeing that Frankie Boy has changed his ways. He has opened his eyes and seeing what some of us saw all along. As the cost of content, the cost of using social media and that this has ensured that it is less viable. Since, its the elites who can use it, but the lower level civil servants cannot afford to be online. That was natural, that the 200 shillings per day would be taken directly of the plate and also evaporate funds for investment within the Republic. It is a negative tax, and therefore, naturally have reverse effect, than what the state promised when they levied it.

Tumwebaze statement in July 2018:

When Ministry of Finance is borrowing, we, the Parliament and civil society are grilling them for borrowing. But when we say this is a sector that has grown in the economy so let’s get a bit of it, let’s get Shs. 6,000 from every holder of a smartphone consuming OTTs, what production capacity will it stifle?” (…) “Is USD 1,4 too much for a citizen to contribute to tax yet you have money to buy a smartphone, minimumly at Shs. 300,000 that is data enabled, and you load bundles of over shs. 30,000? Logically it doesn’t make sense” (Frank Tumwebaze, 17.07.2018).

Tumwebaze statemetn in January 2019:

The committee chaired by Annet Nyakecho said Over The Top tax seems to negatively affect the consumption of ICT services and products. In response, ICT Minister, Mr Frank Tumwebaze admitted that the tax is has had adverse effects on the sector. He said they were “hoodwinked” by their counterparts in the Finance Ministry that the introduction of the tax on the basis that it would widen the country’s revenue base” (Ssebuliba, 2019).

ICT Minister Tumwebaze was so positive and thinking this was the future. This was how to widen the tax-base, but instead. It has as expected made the usage of Social Media expensive. Which means also there is lack of funds for the ones operating within the Social Media and making Online Businesses. This is both happening because of the hard hitting taxes on Social Media, but also the Mobile Money Tax. Both taxes has both the Mobile Money Industry and the ICT development, as they are both having less activity and less usage. Which is natural, when the costs are going up.

The ICT Minister should have known this before speaking so warm about it. Any tax are taking money out of the system. The 200 shillings of doom is clear. The state could have listen to the advice, but didn’t open the ears to it.

In June 30 2018, Daily Monitor reported this: “Civil society organisations have accused the government of trying to stifle debate online with this tax, while others like the Civil society Budget Advocacy group CSBAG, say the tax will have a negative impact on a business.” (Hinamundi, 2018).

So, if the ICT Minister Tumwebaze could have known and stopped this. They could have done the right thing and not continued this path. Instead they have hurt the industry, because they are all blindly following the orders of the President. That is what the state did and they levied the 200 shillings of doom, as it was anticipated by anyone else. Than, the authorities itself. Peace.

Reference:

Samuel Ssebuliba – ‘Parliament orders assessment on impact of social media tax’ 18.01.2019, link: https://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Parliament-orders-assessment-impact-social-media-tax/688334-4940312-rph8g3z/index.html

Collins Hinamundi – ‘How government will collect the new social media tax’ 30.07.2018, link: https://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/How-government-will-collect-new-social-media-tax/688334-4639596-juy8n3z/index.html

Opinion: President Museveni wants more telephone surveillance and praise his OTT Tax!

I wonder if Yoweri Kaguta Museveni ever listens to himself and his own advice. Because his own words so often are compelling to his own activity. Just like yesterday, he continues his rants of wisdom. This is something from the 32 years regime, who continues to pursuit their own game. It is nothing, that seems to stop them in their ways. They are just collecting whatever they can, even when there is no proof of doing any good by doing it. They are pushing taxes on the public, without giving service delivery back. They are just taxing them and making life harder. 

President Museveni also spoke on surveillance of the Telecommunication Industry and use of Cellphone. Because he believes that the Companies are not paying their fair share. He is really proving his dictating ways and his micro-managing to the next level. He has the answers for more taxation and the answers to solve the lack of funds for the state reserves. Take a look!

The third measure is electronic monitoring of telephone calls because the telecoms have been under-declaring their revenues. URA was depending on figures provided by the companies instead of independently monitoring them” (Museveni, 23.11.2018).

Fourth, we must electronically monitor all money transfers. URA and BoU should do this. We recently started a tax on mobile money and social media. The mobile money tax was good because we had a large portion of people who are in non-monetary GDP.” (Museveni, 23.11.2018).

What is more worrying is that he wants to practically surveillance of the telecom industry. He wants to follow the airtime and cellphones, to check if the Telecommunication Companies are underwriting and lying on the usage of the telephone-services. This is furthering the opportunity of the state to follow and monitor the public, they will have the excuse to do so, by checking if the Airtel, MTN or other companies are telling the truth.

The last piece is that the President says the Mobile Money tax was positive, because it shown the amount of people who living in a non-monetary society. That the Mobile Money Tax are showing to what extent the public are living without bank-accounts and by direct cash services. That is why the Mobile Money has been important all over Uganda, because it has given people ability to pay over another platform, which wasn’t costly, but opening to transfer from instance family members in Kampala to the ones up-country.

Therefore, the Mobile Money tax has made it more costly and more of a bother. This hasn’t made it better, but made life harder. However, the President doesn’t see the good for the people, but the good for his spending in the State House. Which has grown by adding more taxes and not checking the consequences of doing so. Peace.

Public Notice from Telecommunication Companies on the Mobile Money Tax (17.11.2018)

MTN implements reduced Mobile Money Tax (17.11.2018)

Mzee’s answer to everything: Bring out the Guns!

There is something magical, something so magnificent and unique. That every time there is a problem, the BIG GUNS have to show up. The President, the Almighty, His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has to address the problem with hiring, appointing or ordering the military to intervene. They even have a commercial arm to assemble cellphones in the near future.

The army is already involved in the NAADS and SACCOs as well as other Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) projects. They have been involved in arresting people and disrupting rallies, not to talk about pure election violence. The army has been involved in invading the Plenary Chambers of the Parliament. There is nowhere the army and these branches of it isn’t touching.

If there is a problem. The President orders the Special Forces Command to monitor riots in Kampala. The President orders to combat army-worms and pipeline problems together with the KCCA. This is just mere simple example of the usage of the army.

The President when the Members of Parliament asked for more security, he ordered sharpshooters and specialized cars for the MPs to security their movements and travels. It was later turned down, but the way of the President to resolve the matter, was by getting the soldiers on stand-by and secure the VIPs.

This is how the President moves, now that Chinese Investors are afraid. The President has ordered soldiers to facilitate and secure the Chinese investments and investors themselves. The answer isn’t looking into the ruthless and insecurity. Instead, put out more guns in the field. Thinking they will solve the issue.

This is the militarism of the President. Where he sends the para-military Police Squads against oppositions. Where he had the Flying Squad, the Special Force Command, Crime Preventers, the Internal Security Organization (ISO) and the Chieftain of Military Intelligence (CMI) or even foot soldiers on the streets. Just to prove to the people, that he is boss!

That is just a sign of the lack of progress, the lack of development. When every crisis, when every need and whim of the President. The ones he is calling is the military and the soldiers, not trying to figure out the needed remedy. That gravy-train has left.

It is time to ask the President is if he has other advice and other solutions, because calling the soldiers to fix defects in society isn’t their role. Their role is to guard the borders and secure the Republic, not being the waiters and dancers at the party. That is how they are playing today. I am just awaiting seeing pictures of soldiers dropping off Waragin and Beer to VIPs. Because that is the only thing they isn’t doing. Since it isn’t long ago, when they even was in charge of a Beauty Pageant. Peace.

Opinion: The 2021 election, unless massive changes; Mzee will win it again!

Eh! I don’t like talking about the long destined future, but one is certain. As long Mzee is breathing, he is running as the Flag-Bearer and everyone else is to fall in line. The Grand Master, the Big Man, the Head Honcho, the Leader of Men and all other titles are his. This is President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. He will not step down. Not as long as he is breathing. That is not happening.

He would not have revised or edited the constitution. He would not have let the military and security forces be such a vital part of the state, as it is right now. The president wouldn’t have used to force against anyone coming his way. Sending a message to anyone who trying to trespass and rule the fiefdom. That is not acceptable. Not even succession from his own flesh and blood. They have to wait as well.

Not that the National Resistance Movement (NRM) have any plans for succession, some cries out loud for it now and then. But later they cry again to their beloved leader and hope for redemption. As they insulted the grand leader. You should never question his powers and his army.

If you question him and his will, you are insects, you are mosquitoes, vermin and bean-weevils that he gets rid off. His army can he always trust, The Security Organizations, the high command and that the Police Force will do his bidding. As long as the state of affairs is like this. There will be no change.

As long as the state is militarized and the state are serving one man. There will be nothing significant different. The names on the ballots might be different. There might be a Farmers Party, Go-Forward or New Formation. However, the results will be in favor of the President.

The 2021 will not change, unless there are vital steps of change. Unless there are people early to see something else and not accepting status quo. Because, the will of doing peaceful transitions through the ballots, has been done again and again. That has been tested and tried countless times by Dr. Kizza Besigye and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Paul Ssemogerere/ Norbert Mao (Democratic Party) and Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) Olara Otunnu. However, none of the attempts has succeeded, that is because the system is built for and implemented for Museveni.

Everyone should see that. The People Power Movement has to grow stronger, than the Defiance Campaign, bigger than Walk to Work and pay costs, which none of us want to bear. If you want to dismantle a military dictatorship. It doesn’t come without costs, without sacrifice and without determination. It isn’t about getting SUVs as MPs or not. It is about sustainable freedom for all citizens. Not just the all-praising elite in and around the President.

2021 will for now be another race. Which is more of the same. There will be drama, tear-gas, arrests, treason-charges, open bribes, voter-tourism, pre-ticked ballots and so on. That is just part the nightmare called elections. There will be deflections from the various parties, there will be people jumping around after the man of the day. However, in the long run, as it is per today. No one will contain of have access to the powers of the army and state resources like Museveni. From the State House, he will micro-manage and bustle everyone into his ways. Either you like it or not.

That is why, when I read people speculating about the elections in 2021. There will be the same Kiggundu Math and misuse of Public Order Management Act (POMA) until oblivion. Unless, the people are gathered around the cause. That they have belief that they have value and purpose. That they are not pawns of the Kingpin of Entebbe and the NRA. As long as they have faith that they can steer the conversation. That they can change the narrative, change the perspective and also ensure that the military, the Security Organization in and around the President are weaken by the pressure. If that pressure gets to level they cannot sustain. Than, the movement, the people are able to progress and show, who is the true value in the Republic.

That will not easy, that will cost. The road to redemption and freedom isn’t easy. It never has been. Because the men with power and wealth, usually don’t won’t to hand it out, but you have to fight to get it. That is the way it is.

At this present time, there are little hope, there are reflections of awaking. As it has been in the past. But the fire has to flair. The thunder has hit the ground. It has to spark,. The fire has to light and it has to be able to make a difference. Show true value. Not being one concert. Being one idol, one leader and one movement. But being the message, being the guiding star, the one that can pass through the evils of men. That is what is needed. Not just some mere slogan and a color of clothing. It needs to pierce the flesh and embody people.

There been sparks, there been flairs, but not fires that has overpowered. There haven’t been a people’s revolution. There been starts of riots and uprisings. But not to an extent, where the thousands of guards, the soldiers and the police force has felt threaten. Where they have felt that their arms and guns been made out of jelly. They haven’t feared going to the office or the station, they haven’t feared going to the barracks.

No, its the people who has feared mambas, the flying squad, the ISO, the Special Force Command and whatnot beating people on the streets. These has to fear something. Not that the public has arms, but their anger, their frustration, their fatigue, their lack of hope and desperation. As they haven’t seen the dream of the NRM or the President. They haven’t gotten the 10 Point Program or the Future their was promised for three decades.

Its time to make things real. Because if it is like now. The 2021 is just another slow train for the Big-Man to rule another term. Just like 2016 and 2011, just like 2006 and 2001… We can go further back in time, but its get old quick. Just like the old man with a hat.

We can speak up again and again about the unjust of the system, but seemingly more of it stays the same. While the crooks continuing taking, while the ones risking it all are paying the price. Without any big change or will to do so. Only, to scream and shout, but kill it off when the dust settles. Peace.

Opinion: OTT and Social Media Tax is failing as anticipated!

The Over The Top Services Tax and Social Media Tax can only be said as utter embarrassment by the National Resistance Movement (NRM). There are enough things to know this would happen, as the plan was for getting the revenue, but not thinking the consequences of the taxes. That is why, today’s revelations about the levied taxes isn’t that surprising.

Without due-diligence, it is hard to know the effects and the means for why it is put. It seems like the President and the NRM had a dream of cash-flowing into the Consolidation Fund without any consequences, but apparently it does. And when you add taxes on things, people either use less or plan more effortlessly to circumvent this added cost on their daily lives.

Daily Monitor Reports: “Government collected Shs20.5b from social media in the last quarter ended September, according to data obtained from Uganda Revenue Authority. The tax, which was implemented in July, was however, less than the Shs24.9b target that URA had hoped to collect in the period. URA has a monthly target of Shs8.3b. The tax was introduced in the Excise Duty amendments of financial year 2018/19 requiring all social media users to pay Shs200 per day, before accessing certain platforms such as Facebook, Whatsapp and Twitter, among others. Government intends to collect about Shs100b before the end of the 2018/19 financial year” (Christine Kasemiire – ‘OTT raises Shs20b in first quarter, URA fails on targets’ 07.11.2018).

While it is a few days ago, that the MTN Uganda promised the 24 hours since paying tax, that the tax would last from the time of payment of the tax until the time is spent. Instead of how it has been, until the new day coming. Meaning, that often you would only get half-a-day with the Social Media, as the taxation would start again, when the clock turns 00:01.

That is why this was news to: “Airtel Uganda and other telecom service providers have announced a fundamental change in the Over the Top excise duty imposed on social media following a directive from Uganda Communications Commission, the telecommunications regulatory body in Uganda. Since its introduction in July 2018, the tax commonly known as OTT or social media tax, was only valid up to midnight of the payment date for daily users. With the recent changes, daily subscribers can now enjoy internet services for a complete 24 hours – right up to the time that they subscribed 24 hours earlier. This also applies to the weekly and monthly users who can also enjoy services until the time that they subscribed” Brian Emorut – ‘Social Media tax validity to now last 24 hours’ 06.11.2018 – Guide 2 Uganda).

So now, Airtel and MTN has changed their pattern of getting the OTT tax. While URA is struggling to met the supposed the quota. This shows that the state had not considered all implications to the levied taxes. The NRM clearly didn’t envision, either the use of VPN and also that people cannot afford it. Because it is barrier to be even using the social media after the taxes.

Surely, the 24 hours usage and the lack of collection. That the Telecoms and the Mobile Money outlets has been pushed and lost revenue is certain. As the data-bundles and Air-Time had to be corrected from July on and also now the barrier for OTTs are changing again. This is surely showing that the Telecoms and the Republic wasn’t prepared for this, but doing it on orders from the President. Peace.

#SecurityUG: My take as nearly all Security Organizations are doing Police Work!

In this present state, we can start to question the safety of the public, not only that the Gen. David Muhoozi, the CDF of Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) thinks it is all cool; that the UPDF or the Army are investigating and arresting people. This is happening as the Internal Security Organization are doing the same. While the Flying Squad of the Police Force have sacked their Operatives and the Crime Preventers have become Reserve Army. While Boda Boda 2010 have been disbanded and Kiatta’s fate is all in limbo still.

We can certainly see the fluid situation, as the Flying Squad, the Chieftain of Military Intelligence (CMI), ISO, UPDF and Police Force are all directly trying to address the same problems in society. Even when needed, the President comes to scatter crime scenes and orders the Special Force Command (SFC) to tdo their thing.

Clearly, this is all should send the memo. That there are many cooks, many orders and units, but few who cooks perfectly. Because there are so many chefs, but so little output. Maybe that is the point to, as this is not the whole spectrum, but a big part of the Security Organizations involved.

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the President have built this system. We know it is messed up and that is because he has arranged it like this. Made a dozens outfits, possible to combat various intrusions and whatnot’s, but goblins doesn’t just appear from the thin-air. So, they got to do something.

That is why suddenly the UPDF are implicated in Police work, the Crime Preventers was too, but now are in the shadows, the Flying Squad was around flexing muscle, the CMI attacking and detaining people without warrants, but the Police Force was preoccupied following and monitoring opposition politicians. That is just the way things are and is, apparently, not to forget SFC was both doing political ambushes, also following President direct order to assault and detain politicians without any other reason. That they are in the near facility of his highness.

It is sad that all questions revolves around the President, even with the personal changes of new IGP or new CDF. The situation isn’t strengthening or becoming better, it is more of the same. Political prisoners kept long without trial like Dr. Stella Nyanzi. There are other too, but she is the biggest catch of the month. There are nothing happening with Sam Mugumya in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Therefore, the security with murders, assassinations and arrests, without the violence stopping. The salvos of attacks on the streets from CMI, shows the brilliance of the police brutality to whole world. It was broadcast from the street of Kampala.

Therefore, as the Flying Squad is demoted, the Boda Boda 2010 is too, the CMI acting out, the SFC wilding out and the list goes on. We can wonder what will be up, but there is nothing that is promising for a better security situation, as it has deteriorating a bit. Also, the lack of action and promise that is profound. The NRM and the President knows this, but just patching the hurt. They are not healing wounds or even closing the unanswered cases. As with time there are opening new cases and they move on. Even as the victims and their families are left astray, by all the organizations that is supposed to protect them and defend them. Peace.

MTN Uganda: Daily OTT tax now valid for 24 hours (01.11.2018)