Kampala — The World Vision National Director, Robby Muhumuza, has called for strict laws to govern the use of the Internet, saying it poses a threat if abused.

"There is an Internet explosion moving much faster than anybody had anticipated. It will continue to influence our society significantly. It is therefore important to examine its use and formulate laws that govern its use and protect people from its abuse," he said.

Muhumuza was on Friday presenting a paper on 'Internet Use and Abuse' at the Fellowship of Christian Unions (Focus) Uganda and Fellowship of Uganda Statisticians (FUS).

The fellowship took place at Hotel Equatoria and attracted professionals from various disciplines.

"There is urgent need for Parliament and the Uganda Law Reform Commission to speed up the formulation laws to regulate the use of the Internet. Users do not have any laws to protect them in case of being conned," Muhumuza said.

He said the abuse and misuse of the Internet poses a great danger to society.

He said there are about 53 Internet cafes in Kampala and its suburbs, with an average of 65 customers per day. This brings it to over 3,500 users per day.

"Internet is addictive and there was a risk of spending too much time and money on it, which could lead to anti-social behaviour, isolation, not relating with family, friends and God," he said, adding that the Internet also promotes pornography. "Half of all spending on the Internet is sex related. Unsolicited porno is sent via email," Muhumuza said.

Soft porn, hard core, lesbianism, homosexuality, bestiality, violent porn, child sex abuse. Temptation to put in practice what is seen - fornication, adultery, rape, child defilement, homosexuality etc," Muhumuza said.