uganda
Popular
Damola Durosomo
Apr. 12, 2018 01:21PM EST

Uganda Will Begin Imposing a 'Daily​ Tax on Social Media Users'

The government says it's part of a plan to raise revenue.

The Ugandan government will begin charging citizens a daily tax for their social media usage starting in July, reports Reuters.

Cell phone owners who use social media apps such as Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp will each be charged 200 Ugandan shillings ($0.027) per day. The imposed fee is said to be part of a government plan to raise revenue.

According to the Ugandan publication The Daily Monitor,President Yoweri Museveni, has said that the fee will be applied to people who use social media for "gossip."

"I am not going to propose a tax on internet use for educational, research or reference purposes...these must remain free," he was quoted as saying.

Activists are calling the plan another attempt by Museveni, who's been in power for over 30 years, to control freedom of expression. Uganda's Finance Minister Matia Kasaija says the government earns from taxing citizens will benefit them in the long run.

"We're looking for money to maintain the security of the country and extend electricity so that you people can enjoy more of social media, more often, more frequently," he said.

In January, it was announced that Uganda would launch its own, state-run social media networks to rival Facebook and Twitter.

social mediamuseveniuganda
Music
Credit: Joshua Baraka.

Joshua Baraka Is Ugandan Music’s Next Big Thing

With the hit song "Nana," Joshua Baraka has solidified his position as a rising star in the East African music scene.

The infectious rhythms and empowering lyrics of Joshua Baraka’s “Nana” have captured the hearts of music fans in Uganda and beyond, earning the artist the number one spot on the nation’s music charts.

Baraka shared his thoughts on his success, early influences, and his plans for the future in a recent short conversation with OkayAfrica.

"It's crazy. It's my first time, and I feel humbled," Baraka mentions when asked how it felt to have the number one song in Uganda. His gratitude for the success is evident, and it's clear that he’s excited to continue making music and growing as an artist.

Musical Journey and Future Plans

Baraka's musical journey started in church with his mother, he was influenced early on by gospel music and Ugandan artists like Radio & Weasel, among many other “random songs” that inspired him along the way.

Ugandan artist Joshua Baraka poses with one hand behind his head.Credit: Joshua Baraka.

Looking towards the future, Baraka is intentional about collaborations and plans to diversify his music by getting into more spaces. "Definitely [need to do] more international collaborations with artists whose music I like,” he shares. His long list of artists and producers he would like to work with include Tems, Koffee, Dave, Samthing Soweto, and Sauti Sol.

Baraka's success has earned him both local and international attention, with fans eagerly anticipating new music. "I'm working on my album which God willing will come out in July," he reveals. "I'm also working on more collaborations… it's going to be a very lovely year for the people who like my music."

The “Nana” Effect

Joshua Baraka's passion and dedication to his craft is evident in his music. With "Nana," Baraka has solidified his position as a rising star in the East African music scene. The modern dancehall track seamlessly fuses Afrobeats, dancehall, and reggae elements to create a sound that is both infectious and empowering.

With its uplifting lyrics and memorable chorus, Baraka's smooth vocals and dynamic delivery make "Nana" an undeniable hit. The song has earned him the cover of the Made in Uganda playlist on Spotify, cementing his buzz.

"Nana" has captured the hearts of music fans across the continent and secured its place as the number one song on both the Apple Music Top 100 Uganda chart and Audiomack Uganda chart, as well as being the most Shazamed track in Uganda. It has even made its way onto the Kenyan charts, steadily climbing higher and gaining momentum.

As we move further into 2023, Joshua Baraka's "Nana" is just the beginning for this budding Ugandan artist.

News Brief
Photo by Mark Kerrison/In Pictures via Getty Images

Uganda Passes a Law Making it Illegal to Identify as LGBTQ+

Uganda’s parliament has passed a law that makes it illegal for Ugandans to identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community. People who are found to be gay can face the death penalty if caught.

Uganda's parliament overwhelmingly approved a law that makes it a crime for Ugandans to identify as members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) community. Additionally, the legal body gave authorities the permission to target gay Ugandans; according to the bill, which was passed on Tuesday (March 21), people who are found to be gay can face the death penalty if caught.

“A person who commits the offense of aggravated homosexuality and is liable, on conviction, to suffer death,” the amendment states.

Of the nearly 400 representatives present, only two voted against it. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni is expected to sign it into law.

Same-sex acts were already deemed unlawful in Uganda. And although Uganda joins a number of African countries that have taken strict stances against members of the LGBTQ+, this new law seems to be the first to carry such heightened consequences. Mutasingwa Kagyenyi, a member of the parliament and a co-writer of the bill, told the chamber that the law was meant to “protect children from homosexuality.”

“We want to shape the future of our children by protecting them from homosexuality," Kagyenyi said. “Sexual relations are between a man and woman. Those are our cherished values and culture, and we shall protect them jealously.”

On Wednesday, The United Nations (UN) and United States expressed outrage over the passed bill. Volker Türk, UN’s High Commissioner for Human Rights called the Anti Homosexuality Bill 2023 “draconian” and urged Museveni not to sign the bill.

“The passing of this discriminatory bill—probably among the worst of its kind in the world—is a deeply troubling development,” a statement from Türk’s office stated.

“If signed into law by the President, it will render lesbian, gay and bisexual people in Uganda criminals simply for existing, for being who they are. It could provide carte blanche for the systematic violation of nearly all of their human rights and serve to incite people against each other,” the statement added.

The United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken also spoke out against the bill. On Wednesday (March 22nd), he tweeted: “We urge the Ugandan Government to strongly reconsider the implementation of this legislation.”

White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby did not rule out some economic "repercussions" if the legislation is implemented.

Uganda has had a long history of enacting strict laws against homosexuality. In 2014, the country passed an anti-gay law that authorized life imprisonment for "aggravated homosexuality.'' The law prompted several of Uganda’s donors in the west to halt aid payments to the East African country until it was annulled. That annulment happened after its constitutional court determined that the law was passed without the appropriate number of people present.

Photo by Alex Wong via Getty

‘Hotel Rwanda’ Hero Paul Rusesabagina to Be Released From Prison

Paul Rusesabagina, who became renowned for his heroic portrayal in ‘Hotel Rwanda’, has received a presidential-ordered prison commute and will be released.

Paul Rusesabagina, the former hotel manager who saved over 1,200 Rwandans during the 1994 genocide and who was the inspiration behind the 2004 Hollywood film Hotel Rwanda, will be released from prison on Saturday (March 25th). Following a request for clemency, Rwanda’s government commuted the prison sentence of Paul Rusesabagina, who is now 68.

In 2020, the Rwandan government arrested Rusesabagina in Dubai and later transferred him to Rwanda, where he faced charges of terrorism related to his alleged involvement in a rebel group. Following the charges, the Rwandan court sentenced him to 25 years in prison. His sentencing triggered controversy, with some supporters alleging he had been unfairly targeted. In 2022, Rusesabagina’s family sued the government of Rwanda for $400 million, stating that they had "abducted" and illegally imprisoned him. Following Rusesabagina’s conviction, several people speculated that he had been detained because he had previously criticized Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame’s politics.

During Rwanda’s genocide, Rusesabagina worked as a hotel manager at the Hôtel des Mille Collines in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. Despite the violence and chaos surrounding him, Rusesabagina used his influence and resources to protect and shelter over 1,200 Tutsi and moderate Hutu refugees from the Hutu extremists carrying out the genocide. Hotel Rwanda was based on Rusesabagina’s experiences during the genocide, and the film's release catapulted him to fame. In the movie, Rusesabagina was portrayed by Hollywood actor Don Cheadle.

According to spokesperson Yolande Makolo, the sentences of 19 others convicted alongside Rusesabagina will also be released.

"Under Rwandan law, commutation of the sentence does not extinguish the underlying conviction," Makolo told Reuters. “Rwanda notes the constructive role of the US government in creating conditions for dialogue on this issue, as well as the facilitation provided by the State of Qatar."

As reported by Reuters, Rwanda’s ministry of justice also stated that the commutation could be revoked if any released prisoners repeated the offenses.

"If any individual benefiting from early release repeats offenses of a similar nature, the commutation can be revoked, and the remainder of the prison sentence will be served," Rwanda's justice ministry said.
Music
Photo by Matt Crossick

Davido Is Bringing ‘Timeless’ to These Cities

The Nigerian superstar has announced ‘A Timeless Night with Davido’ in Lagos, London and New York.

Davido has shared on social media that he will be bringing his Timelessalbum to New York, London, and Lagos, dubbing the mini-tour “A Timeless Night With Davido.”

In the post, the singer wrote: “The support for Timeless over the last few days has been incredible! Thank you for the love. I'm so excited to bring this album to life and share it with you in person. London, New York City, Lagos join me for ‘A Timeless Night,' a special live event, where we'll make memories that will last forever!”

The DMW boss shared dates for the events; noting that in the first week of April, he will take the stage in New York and London, at Irving Plaza and Koko London, respectively, before returning to Lagos to perform at Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Lagos later that month.

In a viral social media post on Tuesday, the Nigerian singer announced that he will be releasing his latest studio album Timeless on March 31. The announcement spurred a lot of excitement and expectation from fans, who had been curious about the singer’s well-being after the extended hiatus that followed the tragic loss of his son, three year old Ifeanyi Adeleke.

Throughout Davido's 11-year career, he has become a staple in Afrobeats and has contributed significantly to pushing the sound, helping it resonate with fans globally. The singer has released several studio albums throughout his career, including Omo Baba Olowo (2012), A Good Time (2019), and A Better Time (2020).

Timeless will be his fourth studio album.

get okayafrica in your inbox

news.

The Songs You Need to Hear This Week

Featuring new African music from Burna Boy, Amaarae, Major League Djz, Kwesi Arthur, Victony and more.

In her Debut Film, Angela Wamai Confronts Trauma and Seeks Healing

The Kenyan filmmaker chose to explore the heavy subject of sexual abuse for her first feature but that hasn’t stopped audiences from engaging with the film’s pressing themes.

Ghanaian Rapper Kwesi Arthur Shares Visuals For ‘Pain Interlude’

Watch Kwesi Arthur’s inspiring new video for his latest single “Pain interlude.”

Places in Lagos to Have Fun this Weekend

Discover weekend events in Lagos, from beach parties, film screenings, and art exhibitions to nightlife.

popular.

Cozyshrt is Curating Freedom & Community in Accra

The Ghanaian photographer who snapped Kendrick Lamar when he visited the country last year has become a leading curator of the local cultural landscape.