In less than 140 characters, Justine Sacco’s preposterous tweet about her catching AIDS upon landing in Africa got her fired from her PR job. Her reputation was injured too.
This is one of the social media fails that anchored us into 2014.
This year, however, the fails have been so prescient that they looked like works of expert dramactors . We dissected them and unmasked the underlying details you could have missed.
For every tweet and facebook status update made in the name of breaking the internet almost went to the abyss as soon as the send button was clicked. The events that rocked are those that were those least expected and had many astounded.
South African Mail&Guardian does a good job at highlighting most of the hashtags that rocked in Africa on the Twittersphere; #MyDressMyChoice was started in pursuit of stopping irate men from assaulting “indecent” women who took it to the streets in demonstration. This succeeded Uganda’s #Savetheminisirt which had the same premise. #EvilNanny, #BringBackOurGirls among others rocked the internetz.
Even if one spent their entire day on social media they would be sure to miss at least one of the minutiae details that characterize the congested attention demanding sphere.
#Katoto
This fictional cartoon character built by Richard Musinguzi finally gained mainstream acclamation. Katoto is a fictional Mukiga, one of Uganda’s tribes, character that is disturbingly funny. Katoto is a fun loving man with a caring family and an unfounded phobia for dogs. The meme-filled videos made punctuated rounds on Whatsapp in equal measure the captioned pictures made rounds on Facebook and Twitter. Ugandans seemed to have finally notched their own Ben’10 prodigy.
#Museveni joins Twitter
It started as a joke orchestrated by Vision Group MD, Robert Kabushenga. President Museveni took his very first selfie . Some skeptics must have alluded it to fixation. He furthered his prospects by joining Twitter . We warned the Twitter narcissists that they were in for a big surprise, the old man in a hat is used to conquering territories. They sighed. Guess who emerged victor, he was even awarded as one of the most influential African presidents on social media this year.
#Amama Mbabazi fired
Social media captured this train-wreck between Museveni and Mbabazi blow by blow, frame by frame . Nobody saw this coming; the former renegade Prime Minister, Mbabazi was caught unawares in the solo cabinet reshuffle. Social media users were just on time in caricaturing the befallen Prime Minister, creating and distributing all sorts of memes and gags that were so hilarious. However, Mbabazi didn’t seem moved by any of the trolling and was recollected in most if not all the responses he was jettisoned in.
#Museveni Twitter Account hacked
The prolific hacker is that acne-plunged adolescent who is probably a social misfit and arguably spends the greater part of their day playing video games and phreaking unsuspecting phones. They use their skills to gain access where it is restricted. However for Museveni’s case, the alleged hack was the work of conflicting workers who were busy mud-slinging in the name of impressing their boss. The president’s twitter accounted got pwned like oh, really! Tell-me-another-joke!
In the wake of the hack attack to the president’s Twitter account, it was found out that hacker wasn’t indeed the hacking teen prodigy but rather a medium height man of a lean build by the name of Joseph Owino. It was further revealed by one of the conflicting parties that indeed the hacker in question helped in the verification exercise of the Twitter account in question. As the fiasco fizzled out, Owino was released amid outcry on social media. Fast-forward, more than 2 months later, controversial Kenyan blogger, Robert Alai, was arrested for hurting the person of the president of Kenya by calling him an adolescent and also publishing his mobile phone contact (along with the Vice president’s) on the 140-character social network.
#Allen Kagina’s twitter account hacked
#Social media day Kampala
Popularized by Mashable , the International Social media day is celebrated every 30 th June. Kampala celebrated it a day prior — on the 28th. The subtleness in this is as contravening as much as it is approving. Kampalans will literally jump on any trend but they’re undeniably some of the warmest people. Perhaps they portray the same on social media and that is why this day was such a success .
#Ntare School takes over
These chaps didn’t need a hashtag to shut down Uganda’s union square for at least 12 hours. Aligning with popular trend on Twitter, they subtweeted themselves recollecting upon memories of high school. FYI, Ntare school is the only school having two current serving presidents, that is in Uganda and Rwanda. The old students are boisterous about that fact and were quite unapologetic for making Twitter boring for those not interested on that day.
#Eddy Kenzo breaks Youtube, literally
Eddy Kenzo is the ugly duck that everyone suddenly starts calling beautiful after a streak of success. The Ugandan amateur elitists were previously in contestation with the singing sensation for his inability to express himself in English. The sitya loss star broke Youtube with his witful dance video that was endorsed by renown international stars such as Sean Combs popularly known P. Diddy. This has since catapulted his career in dimensions not envisioned before.
#One Ugandan buries KOT, well some segment of it
Nobody messes up with #KOT . Ask CNN, furious Kenyans forced the media colossus into changing a headline that was perceived as false and negative. KOT has brought many countries to their knees such as Nigeria and Uganda especially through the inter-regional wars they provoke their neighbours into. However, all hell broke loose when one courageous Ugandan, @Nuwaha17 summoned them for a twitter fight also known as a tweef. Albeit the most aggressive Kenyan tweeps not being involved, well punctuated jabs were aimed at Kenyans, they must have landed on where it hurt most especially with issues to do with their national security and their untold love for animals (bestiality). Ask Alenyo. Whoever that is!
#Team 4040
The 40 days over 40 smiles foundation has proved skeptics wrong about young people, their role in supporting charity work is humbling. Through social media, the foundation is harnessing the plight of passionate into contributing to social causes. Ester Kalenzi and team are the master minds behind annual events like #Hoops4Grace and #CroakAndRhyme that attract mammoth crowds ready to support mobilized on social media.
#UgBloggers7dayChallenge
Popular opinion has it that Ugandans don’t read. On the contrary, the dearth of locally relevant and engaging content could be the cause of the aforementioned ill. Ugandan blogger, Joel Ntwatwa challenged the rather complacent and budding bloggers to a 7 day blogging challenge. This was characterized by contributions about absolutely any topic as long as deemed fit by the bloggers. Personally I didn’t participate but was confounded by the ilk bubbling under the covers. Sure, there is so much potential and hunger to tell our stories is at an all-time peak like never before. Three months after the blogging challenge, a home where to find all Uganda blogs was launched via a web portal www.storipot.com. Finding good stories hasn’t been this easy!
#Nudes, nudes & some more nudes
If there is one thing social media has brought out from users is vanity. The number of likes or RTs a person gets have them basking in validation. Most of the users are selfish and want the spotlight to themselves. This is what famous evolution theorist Charles Darwin calls the selfish gene. With related nuance, social media has unravelled the selfie gene . People are now taking selfies in complete nudity or perhaps by the unrelenting help of their lovers. Somehow, by works of “hacking” ( Hello Jennifer Lawrence !) or these same lovers, jilted or not, these pictures find their way onto social media. The consequences are usually frustrating but social median netizens carve trends and memes out of these unenviable predicaments.
#OccupyMTN
When systems are malfunctioning, customers are belligerent at best and ignoring them is like siring an apocalypse of sorts. This is what happened when disgruntled MTN customers took it to social media to rebuke the telecom giant for stripping them of their airtime and data besides providing services of sub standard quality. The trolling was so huge that a well architected damage control plan was put forth. For the first time, the CEO flung into action to apologise and address other issues that had been pressing without redress. In soothing the irate customers, MTN refunded the eschewed data/airtime totaling to about UGX 800 million. But many are quick to allude it to a smart move to mellow their sour hearts since they were refunded in excess. Similarly, #GiveNadaHerTaxInvoice had previously sprung out due to the frustrations a one Nada Anderseen had faced in retrieving her tax invoices from MTN.
#AHA
This was perhaps the most controversial Trending Topic of the year. Efforts by the international community to dissuade President Museveni from signing the Anti-Homosexuality Bill were futile. Hours after the signing of the anti homosexuality bill into law on 24th February, pro gay activists were already lobbying for visa denials of Ugandans who are venting against gay rights both offline and online. The topic was so sensitive that it generated insurmountable commentary both locally and internationally. However, the Act has since been annulled by Uganda’s Constitutional Court.
Daniel Mwesigwa is a curious mind at the intersection of technology, media, and politics. Passionate about emerging trends and critical thinking, he’s known for cutting through noise—calling out conspiracy theories when they don’t hold up. When he’s not writing or analyzing the digital world, Daniel enjoys listening to music and playing soccer.
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Talkio Mobile , Uganda’s newest telecommunications service provider, is excited to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Banana Life Investments, a leading chain of mobile phone and retail shops. This strategic alliance aims to bring Talkio’s innovative telecom services closer to Ugandans.
This collaboration will leverage Banana Life Investments’ extensive retail network of 26 stores strategically located across Uganda in major malls, towns, and cities to provide customers with unparalleled convenience. Through this partnership, Talkio Mobile will offer its full suite of services, including SIM cards, airtime, and exclusive product offerings at any Banana Life Investment location.
This partnership is more than a business initiative—it’s a shared commitment to transforming lives. By integrating Talkio Mobile’s forward-thinking services & nationwide reach with Banana Life Investments’ retail footprint, the two brands are setting a new standard for customer convenience and inclusivity.
READ ALSO: 5 Things You Need to Know About Talkio Mobile: New Telecom Company in Uganda
“This partnership aligns perfectly with our mission of connecting Ugandans to innovative and transformative telecom solutions,” said Vianne Allan Ahura, CEO of Talkio Mobile. “By leveraging Banana Life Investments’ trusted presence and nationwide footprint, we are not only expanding our agent network but also bringing our services closer to the communities we serve. This collaboration ensures that our online customers can now enjoy a seamless offline experience right at their doorstep. Together, we are empowering Ugandans with the tools they need to stay connected, grow their businesses, and unlock new opportunities.”
Solomon Ssemuyaba, the assistant general manager at Banana Life Investments, echoed this sentiment: “We are proud to join hands with Talkio Mobile to deliver innovative, customer-centric solutions. This partnership represents our shared vision of fostering a connected future for Uganda. Together, we are redefining what convenience and accessibility mean for our customers.”
The partnership goes beyond retail distribution, introducing joint initiatives aimed at value addition and personalized service. Customers can expect seamless access to:
- SIM Card Sales : Available at all Banana Life Investments locations.
- Talkio phone number bookings : Book your preferred Talkio number at any Banana Life Investments location.
- Airtime Services : Recharge easily through in-store purchases.
- Customer Support : Friendly and knowledgeable staff trained to assist with Talkio Mobile products and services.
Additionally, the two companies plan to launch promotional campaigns and expand services to even more locations, ensuring no Ugandan is left behind in the digital transformation.
Solomon Obwot is a tech writer based in Kampala, Uganda, with extensive experience in the local tech startup ecosystem. He covers the latest news and analysis on consumer tech, writes in-depth smartphone reviews, and conducts insightful interviews with industry experts. Solomon is also a passionate podcaster, sharing his knowledge and engaging in discussions about Africa’s rapidly growing tech landscape. Send emails to [email protected]
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The Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona , the world’s largest exhibition for the mobile industry, has just concluded. This annual event gathers leading technology brands to unveil groundbreaking mobile, AI, and digital solutions innovations. At MWC 2025, TECNO showcased a range of AI-driven products, reinforcing its commitment to cutting-edge technology.
The key launches included:
- CAMON 40 Series – AI-powered smartphones with One-Tap FlashSnap and advanced mobile imaging features.
- MEGABOOK S14 – The world’s lightest 14-inch OLED laptop, featuring AI-enhanced multitasking and Snapdragon® X Elite.
- MEGABOOK T14 Air & K15S – Lightweight ultrabooks with AI capabilities and extended battery life.
- TECNO AI Glasses Series – Smart eyewear integrating AI imaging, translation, and AR display.
Jan Stryjak, Associate Director at Counterpoint Research, shared, “In the past year, we have observed significant advancements in the field of AI. AI will continue to drive transformative changes in our daily lives. In this critical period for the economic development of emerging markets, TECNO’s AI technologies are unlocking potential for diverse needs.”
“The application of AI technologies is crucial and urgent in emerging markets. We’re committed to bridging the digital gap between emerging and mature markets,” said TECNO CMO, Laury Bai. “TECNO is taking a practical approach to make AI more accessible, ensuring users in emerging markets can access AI and cutting-edge technologies.”
Laury Bai, TECNO CMO
Driven by its commitment, TECNO has forged a robust partnership with MediaTek, establishing a joint AI laboratory dedicated to accelerating advancements in AI. At the event, James Chen, Vice President of Product and Technology Marketing at MediaTek, emphasized, “The synergistic R&D efforts between TECNO and MediaTek are set to democratize AI technology. Our collaboration powers a seamless, interconnected AI experience, bringing users a future of truly connected intelligence.”
James Chen, Vice President, Product and Technology Marketing at MediaTek
CAMON 40 Series Powered by AI One-Tap FlashSnap Revolutionizes Smartphone Snapshot Photography
TECNO’s Global Product Launch Officer, Olivier Mas, officially unveiled TECNO’s next-generation AI-driven products. Attendees at TECNO’s launch event witnessed the highly anticipated debut of TECNO’s new CAMON 40 Series, a device that embodies TECNO’s legacy of excellence in mobile imaging. Featuring One-Tap FlashSnap Mode and TECNO AI, the series sets a new benchmark in smartphone photography, delivering exceptional snapshot capabilities and AI-enhanced user experiences.
Olivier Mas, TECNO Global Product Launch Officer
The CAMON 40 Series exemplifies a commitment to innovation that transcends hardware and software, extending into strategic partnerships that deliver cutting-edge AI solutions to emerging markets. Matt Waldbusser, Managing Director of Global Solutions and Consumer AI at Google Cloud, remarked, “Our collaboration with TECNO on the CAMON 40 Series is a standout example. Leveraging Google Cloud’s capabilities, we’ve introduced groundbreaking features such as Ask Ella, AI Image Generator, AI Writing, and AI Translate. I am particularly impressed by the industry-leading and competitive edge of some of these innovations. For instance, TECNO’s AI supports text translation in 136 languages, voice translation in 44 languages, and photo translation in 51 languages. We are excited to further strengthen our partnership with TECNO, unlocking limitless potential to bring advanced yet practical AI capabilities to emerging markets in a convenient and secure manner.”
Matt Waldbusser, Managing Director of Global Solutions and Consumer AI at Google Cloud
The CAMON 40 Series’ innovative One-Tap FlashSnap leverages AI to enhance imaging capabilities, revolutionizing mobile photography. AI optimizes camera startup and continuous shooting for instant captures, while AI-powered multi-frame processing intelligently reduces noise and enhances details, delivering sharper, more refined images. Additionally, the BestMoment algorithm analyzes motion patterns, automatically selecting the optimal frames for precise, high-quality shots in dynamic scenarios, ensuring users an unparalleled mobile imaging experience.
TECNO CAMON 40 Demonstrates the Cutting-Edge FlashSnap Capability
To delve deeper into the imaging prowess of the CAMON 40 Series, TECNO invited Frédéric Guichard, CEO of DXOMARK, to share the image performance of CAMON 40 Pro. Frédéric highlighted, “The CAMON 40 Pro 5G has demonstrated exceptional imaging and performance capabilities in our rigorous evaluations. We’ve been particularly impressed with photo performance being the best for devices under 600$, and the 1st eligible device to our Smart Choice Label.”
Onsite photo of Frédéric Guichard, CEO of DXOMARK
Beyond its advanced rapid-capture functionality, the integration of TECNO AI further enhances the device’s capabilities. Intelligent imaging, a 360° AI Call Assistant, and productivity tools elevate creativity and efficiency. Powered by MediaTek’s latest chipsets, the series ensures smooth performance, fast processing, and extended battery life. With a sleek, durable, and water-resistant design, it seamlessly blends style with practicality for modern users.
MEGABOOK S14, the World’s Lightest 14-inch OLED Laptop, Inspires Creators and Game Lovers
The MEGABOOK S14 is TECNO’s first OLED laptop and the industry’s lightest 14-inch OLED laptop, featuring a 2.8K OLED display and incredibly weighing only 899g (31.7oz). The laptop is equipped with the outstanding power of the Snapdragon® X Elite compute platform, the flagship chipset for AI PCs from Qualcomm Technologies, and integrates TECNO’s world’s first self-developed edge-side large-scale AI model, to achieve AI-enhanced multitasking.
World’s Lightest 14-inch Laptop MEGABOOK S14
Specifically designed for next-gen AI productivity, TECNO AI enhances the Ella AI Assistant, AI-powered PPT generation, AI-driven image search, smart albums, and offline meeting transcription with multilingual support. The External Graphics Dock, equipped with a powerful NVIDIA graphic card, delivers scalable, high-performance capabilities for design, gaming, and content creation. The laptop’s 2.8K OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate ensures exceptional visuals, while DTS:X Ultra dual 2W speakers, Wi-Fi 6E, fingerprint login, and PC Manager optimize connectivity and user experience.
TECNO’s strategic partnership with Qualcomm Technologies was a highlight of the TECNO AI Ecosystem Product Launch event, demonstrating a shared vision for the future of AI PCs. Kedar Kondap, SVP & GM of Compute and Gaming at Qualcomm, took the stage to discuss the integration of Qualcomm’s cutting-edge PC chipset into the new MEGABOOK S14 laptop, underscoring TECNO’s commitment to delivering high-performance computing solutions.
Kedar Kondap, SVP & GM of Compute and Gaming at Qualcomm
In addition, TECNO also introduced several standout new products. The featherlight 999g (35.2oz) ultrabook MEGABOOK T14 Air, features high-speed storage and LPDDR5 memory, while the ultra-thin, all-metal MEGABOOK K15S, equipped with a powerful 70Wh battery and supported by a 65W PD GaN charger, offers a smarter and more long-lasting user experience. Both devices are empowered by TECNO AI with advanced AI capabilities such as AI Album and AI Voice Assistant, making them perfect companions for all aspects of life.
The Next Game-Changing Tech Innovation: See the World with the TECNO AI Glasses Series
TECNO’s new AI Glasses Series also took center stage with the introduction of TECNO AI Glasses Pro and TECNO AI Glasses, reimagining eyewear with cutting-edge imaging, intelligent interactions, and a sleek aesthetic. The TECNO AI Glasses feature an aviator design, while the Pro model showcases a browline style, both embodying timeless elegance and modern fashion.
TECNO AI Glasses Redefine the Way People See the Future
Equipped with a 50MP high-definition camera, the series integrates an OV50D sensor, a 100° ultra-wide-angle custom lens, and an AI ISP imaging chip, forming a mobile-grade imaging system. This system lets users capture stunning, high-resolution photos with advanced AI noise reduction and HDR capabilities. With real-time translation supporting over 100 languages, TECNO AI’s Ella empowers accurate translation even for less common languages, as well as voice control, AI-powered object recognition, and intelligent information summaries for ultimate convenience.
Additionally, the AI Glasses Pro features a MicroLED display with 7th-gen resin waveguide technology, offering a 30° field of view, over 1,500 nits of brightness AR display, and a lightweight, ultra-thin design. The AR display allows users to effortlessly enjoy features like translation display, navigation, information prompts, and teleprompting.
Equipped with a 250mAh battery, these glasses offer over 11 hours of music playback and 8 hours of mixed use with just 30 minutes of charging. An advanced ultra-linear speaker, bass enhancement, and spatial sound deliver an immersive audio experience, while Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4 ensure seamless connectivity.
With these innovative launches, TECNO is setting new standards in mobile imaging and AI-enhanced technology, shaping a more connected and empowered future for consumers in emerging markets. Once again, TECNO has showcased its cutting-edge innovation on the global stage at MWC. With the brand essence of “Stop at Nothing”, TECNO’s relentless pursuit of innovation is making AI-powered technology more accessible, allowing consumers to experience the future ahead of time.
Solomon Obwot is a tech writer based in Kampala, Uganda, with extensive experience in the local tech startup ecosystem. He covers the latest news and analysis on consumer tech, writes in-depth smartphone reviews, and conducts insightful interviews with industry experts. Solomon is also a passionate podcaster, sharing his knowledge and engaging in discussions about Africa’s rapidly growing tech landscape. Send emails to [email protected]
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