Not print media, not TV, not WhatsApp, not Facebook rule the media in Uganda with such magnitude as radio. Radio is the undisputed king with over 100 stations throughout the country, up from only one in the 1990s, serving a population of 34 million people. It’s the ultimate source of news, entertainment and notoriously influential in debate and conversation.
But hey, we’re in the dot com era, where almost every millennial seems to be tucked on the internet. In fact, it’s estimated that there are 11 million internet users in Uganda and the majority are the internet savvy youth. So, technically, the bigger part of the content pie is consumed via web and mobile platforms.
Making such a bold statement about the dominance of radio would almost render one demented in the Wild West , heretofore, the truth lies in the matter. Radio has influenced the narrative since the good ol’ days and still does with the recent popularity of hyperlocal FM stations. It’s incumbent that we analyse a bunch of statistics to see the margin with which radio trumps the internet or any other form of media to that effect.
Our ROI (Return On Investment) for mangling radio vis-a-vis internet statistics would only prove one thing — ROI — Radio On Internet!
Meet Chris Csikszentmihalyi and Jude Mukundane the founders of a ground breaking project, Grassroots Radio for Community Input and Output, creatively put as RootIO radio , an ambitious community radio project that wants to foster communication to the last mile through a blitz of a smartphone, a dirt cheap transmitter and the internet. By cutting the costs of content production and transmission by more than a tenfold, the future looks bullish.
I caught up with them for a casual chat at Outbox hub, Kampala, Uganda.
May 2015: In the co-working space, there are a handful of people minding their business but glance curiously at a quiet. In those occasional bursts, they must be wondering what’s making us so ecstatic, our discourse looks invigorating, it’s so animated given the several gestures and busyness on our table.
A few years ago, when Chris came to Uganda as part of an assignment by UNICEF, he recounts that he was in a dazzling state of shock. He couldn’t make of the locals’ way of communication, especially for the case of radio. People followed radios’ programming to the rubric and it being almost the go to source of information – local and foreign. This was different from what was happening in the U.S. where the internet was such a force to reckon with. To note, to a higher extent, that a hyper networked community is enabled by radios was an eye-opening moment, a flash bulb moment, and for the bulb to keep on glowing a couple of issues had to be fixed.
An innovator’s journey is that filled with uncertainty even though problems (and solutions) within the status-quo are crystal clear, this uncertainty is one that has to be tackled with surgical precision. Playing superman in such instances abhors catastrophe. Efforts are more effective in concert; like the was every Steve Jobs needs a Steve Wozniak, same for a Warren Buffet and Charlie Munger, the yin to the yang that completes the jigsaw. Well, for Chris’ case it wasn’t a case of smart soul searching but that of serendipity, that traditional good luck that compliments preparedness.
During one of those fieldwork sessions he met an ambitious engineer working for Uganda Telecom (UTL) by the name of Jude Mukundane. At the moment, Jude is the CTO of RootIO and is responsible for the smooth running of the technical aspects of the radio project. A couple of seconds after introducing Jude, Chris reminds me of Megan Smith’s visit to Outbox hub in the 3rd quarter of last year. “Unfortunately, I wasn’t around that day, I missed,” I sigh. That doesn’t budge his resolve of building a joke, I was certain one was queued up after him cracking a bunch of them prior. “Well, Megan was poached from Google by the White House and is now CTO of the U.S, see, if Jude is CTO, then I am Obama!!” he said as we all burst into laughter.
For Jude, it was all about serving the interests of his country and that is why he was so engrossed with work at UTL – total control of the work process, unlike majority of the companies in the same field that are controlled on some remote switch. The patriotism, passion and above all talent caught Chris’ eye, he sure knew Jude was worth the bet.
For the role he plays as RootIO’s most high-profile technical officer, Jude cuts an unlikely, hipster figure. With a neon-hitched pair of nerd Ray Bans, short dreadlocks that swirl to the back of his head, he looks like he is about to type a flurry of code on the keyboard and perhaps enter a kamikaze drive. Beast Mode. The time I met him, my very first time, he was wearing a stripped yellow t-shirt and dark grey-ish fitting pants, fashion forward for a 21st century coder. In movies I’ve previously watched about hackers; coders and programmers alike are portrayed as part of the social misfits who don a rainbow of oversized garments, wear braces and big thick framed eye glasses, the collections of which would seem like an abused painter’s palette. Not anymore, he seems to love his fabric sewn on point.
When Jude joined UTL in 2010, fresh from graduating with a BSc Computer Science from Makerere University Kampala, he was responsible for application development, fast rising in the ranks where he became the lead of VAS engineering and Technology Innovations two years later. Even after leading the division, UTL’s products were not performing so well on the market: They had largely remained stagnant. The institutional red tape and bureaucracy ethos of the company still reigned. But Jude still held the mandate to fix VAS and architect solutions within that fold. But soon enough, Chris, after courting for Jude’s hand in RootIO, managed to convince him to join the rocket which was set to break barriers.
The inspiration behind…
The neighbourhood of Kamwokya sprawls up a relatively flat area in the outskirts of Uganda’s capital city, Kampala. Wannabe musicians oft gather in makeshift shelters for practice. In a stone’s throw, goats rustle in trash that goes forever uncollected. Children kick a deflated football in a dusty lot just below the main road. There is a community market nearby and somewhere in this jumbled place is a youth centre that looks after the destitute and gives them a message of hope. Anybody can be a music producer with the right help. After reading these Recording Connection reviews , everybody will learn how their dreams can come true.
Now, look up this center on Google maps, Treasure Life Centre (TLC Youth centre), and you’ll be amazed by the pixel perfection on the map. It’s not as a result of the works of the gigantic Digital Globe satellites that continue to scour the skies but on the contrary a product of a low cost DIY mapping kit. An assembly of cameras and a kite and strings are used to take high res aerial photographs which can then be incorporated in Google maps. This was a project by one of Chris’ former students at MIT. Dubbed as Grassroots Mapping , the low cost yet scalable product has received the blessing of behemoths such as Google and is a clear example of how the ultimate solutions to our pressing needs don’t necessarily require millions of dollars.
In the market at Kamwokya, megaphones rule the airwaves. In fact, it’s the usual ordeal for people to pay attention at top of the hour for news updates or any other notifications. In short, megaphones are hacked together with amplifiers and aid quick and low cost information dissemination which wouldn’t have been possible using for example noticeboards or Instant Chatting tools (which are a rarity amongst the local market vendors).
Chris is enthused by these hacker ethos of finding ways where it all seems impossible; whether through brute force or manipulation of the status-quo. For a former Director of the MIT Civic Media Lab, hacking together a few components readily available at low cost is the panacea [of RootIO]. Where idle chatter has it that those in civic media are like barking dogs that never bite, like those who rant and whine behind hashtags on social media to no effect, he banks on the possibilities technology can offer especially by fostering information dissemination which in turn promotes accountability and transparency .
Csikszentmihalyi currently heads European Research Area Chair and Scientific at the Madeira Interactive Technology Institute, Portugal. He is a global trotter who has come to appreciate life in several places he has been to. He treats everyone with utmost respect and humility. Of course, this being the first time we had met, I was confounded by his meekness and love for sharing information despite his rich background and portfolio. The deal breaker being that Chris is Prof. Mihalyi Csikszentmihalyi’s son, one of the most authentic and authoritative voices in the world of Psychology. He co-authored a book about the Flow theory or loosely known as being in the zone
Radio in a bucket broadcasting on 103.8FM
On 23rd May, Uganda Communications Commission recently flagged off the project to run a pilot authorisation for six months. The broadcasting coverage will be able to cover a distance of up to 35km on flat terrain areas. Communities set to benefit from this pilot project include Patongo in Agago, Kitgum Town, Pabbo Sub-county in Amuru District, and Aber Sub-county in Oyam District. Each consists of a solar panel, battery, 15-metre-tall transmitter tower and a smartphone. A white 19-litre bucket houses the hardware and keeps it dry.
Image courtesy: Robby Muhumuza (Facebook)
RootIO sometimes doesn’t hit the flow/zone
It’s true, the team has had some challenges especially with manpower. The loss of one of the team members, Elizabeth Gin, to LinkedIn was a huge blow but the team has since found ways to move forward.
I paused a question about digital migration and how ready they [RootIO] were for implementation. Jude chipped in and rested the fears of the ITU-backed programme that would cause a burden for the young start-up. He briefed that the migration exercise was meant for only the TV spectrum and that digital migration for radio was being championed by individual countries in Europe. The pilot phase carried out in Norway was disappointing, and thus attracted lacklustre opinions about its implementation in other countries.
It was on Twitter on January 2013 that I stumbled upon news of Knight’s Foundation new challenge winners . What caught my interest were products whose area of scope was Uganda. On the list was Abayima founded by Jon Gosier, a sim-card that allows information to be transferred from one place to another won $150,000, their value proposition was enablement of communication in case of media censorship or civil strife. Then there was RootIO founded by Chris and Jude, as explained above, a low-cost radio application geared at promoting community radio stations won $200,000.
However, it seems like it’s only RootIO is the only one that has kicked off in earnest, for Abayima the perils of winning competition prize monies and not implementing are those that the world watches and identifies you as fishy. Not an impressive juxtaposition. For good work, more support is always lined up; Resilient Africa Network picked up interest in RootIO in 2014 and also has had support of the Uganda radio Network distinguished among others.
As it all pans out, RootIO is not the magic bullet to the realisation of communication at grassroots level, but as it seems the radio project is headed for the uncanny valley. The mercurial steadfastness a one community radio station had during the mega 2010 earthquake in Haiti. It was the only source of information that survived the quake, only to run out of battery, and if there is one thing it demonstrated, the resilience of radio. It spans large geographical areas, requires minimal infrastructure and doesn’t command distinct literacy levels.
Images | courtesy of RootIO
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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