Four mobile money agents have been arrested by Police for protesting against the Mobile Money tax.
More than 50 mobile money agents and dealers marched from, Kibuye, in Entebbe to Parliament to present a petition to the Speaker, Rebecca Kadaga. They were however blocked by the police.
Those arrested include Ben Kamyuka, John Bosco Byaruhanga, Rogers Mugisha, and Nassur Saluma.
Luke Owoyesigire, the Kampala Metropolitan Spokesperson, says that the agents will be charged with holding an unlawful procession. He explains that they were not given permission.
Mathias Lukyamuzi the chairperson Kampala mobile money dealers said they wanted to express their dissatisfaction to parliament about the new tax.
He says that they have given the government an ultimatum of four days to scrap the tax or else they will not open for business.
Doreen Kyomuhendo, a mobile money agent says that government should review the tax since mobile money employs hundreds of youths.
Meanwhile, in Masaka, mobile money dealers stormed Telecom Service Centers in the area protesting against the new mobile money tax.
The angry group of about 40 operators led by Gadhafi Kabuuza, on Thursday morning, closed their mobile money kiosks and marched around Masaka Streets appealing to other colleagues to join them in the peaceful demonstration.
However, some of the Telecom Services such as MTN and Airtel, closed their shops fearing the wrath of the dealers. They also declined to speak to the media.
Kabuuza wants the Telecom companies to lead a campaign and push the government to reconsider the decision to levy the tax on the business.
He explains that besides losing clients, the new tax has also affected the commission fees they get as payment from the Telecom companies.
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