Old Kampala, an adornment of the city’s past glory flanked by Gothic and colonial style architecture, rests on one of Kampala district’s hills. A quick glance shows that there is generally less traffic and economic activity on the hill.
She kind of looks like a deserted battlefield.
But not for Simon Kirumira, a meticulous young man who pays homage to the revolutionary ideas he has conceived on this hill. Most notably, is the idea turned into product targeted at improving lives of more than 2 million people in Kampala and the neighbouring outskirts.
Sure, at least every homestead in the greater Kampala metropolitan or even Uganda at large uses alternative energy to cooking; be it LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) popularly known as gas , firewood, charcoal and of recent briquettes.
LPG is usually for a select few and that’s why the majority opt for the aforementioned alternatives. But there is a trick. Powering up or igniting the fire to enable cooking is a heinous task. It’s not like electricity where you switch on and off for food to get heated or cooked. It’s the opposite. It involves using ash, a little paraffin, some old newspapers maybe, polythene bags, oi, I also heard that condoms speed up the fire much faster. All these are tiny components that can be used to start a fire for charcoal or even firewood.
They suck, they’re tedious, they’re time wasting and the most annoying bit is that they give off a trail of offending smoke. Here is a classic elaboration; charcoal stoves are taken out, aligned to face the direction of the wind, several rolls of papers are lit and put beneath the charcoal for about 10 to 15 minutes depending on the intensity of the fire, from where the red hot charcoal is self-sustaining. To be more clear, smoke emanates from the burning paper until its role of lighting the charcoal is accomplished. The hot charcoal stove can now be carefully carried back to the kitchen.
Yikes.
But here we are; in 2015, with refined products that can help us light charcoal faster and easier. With Fire Fountain , also known as Kuma essigiri – a luganda phrase loosely translated as to light a charcoal stove – you can ignite fire on your charcoal stove with such ease. The instructions are: Break a pellet (of Fire Fountain) into half, light it by use of a match and then place it in a heap of charcoal on a stove.
At the time I tested there was minimal smoke, contained burning that lite the charcoal in less the 7 minutes. Brilliant.
Solving any problem is predicated on understanding it well
This is Simon’s creation. It’s revolutionary and a profitable venture for the 24 year old lad. The story behind it, however, is one you want to remember and retell to any budding entrepreneur.
In 2011, during his S6 vacation he was challenged by his elder brother to come up with something, an innovation, a business, anything , as long as it involved some creative thinking and impacting the users productively. The eons of old practice dictate that one follows the hand of the master, to learn, copy and then replicate. He didn’t. In fact, he wasn’t interested in the ghee project his elder and inspirational brother had started but instead looked at a pressing need they were experiencing first hand at home, a need for finding alternative ways of igniting fire on their charcoal stoves without choking themselves on poisonous fumes.
Like any entrepreneur, a new idea is so exciting, it’s like a revelation that changes your life at the snap of a finger. But for Simon’s case, it was an unexplored field, his Fire Fountain idea was virgin and thus required vast amounts of research, try and error coupled with patience in equal measure. He started with a wax based product which sadly didn’t materialize. It was frustrating but he didn’t budge in resolve.
Joining undergrad school in fall of 2011 was a dream come true, an opportunity to study Bachelors of Science as always wished. It came as no surprise that he majored in Economics but what is surprising though, is that he harboured an industrialist’s motives, in manufacturing to be precise.
“Manufacturing is here to stay, it’s not going anywhere,” an enthused Simon said. Even in the country where the service industry dominates and manufacturing contributes less than 4% to the economy, Simon is highly optimistic.
Simon Kirumira and Jansuk Joshua
Two heads are better than one, they say. In his first year on campus Simon met two young men who shared similar beliefs and ambitions, they were in the same discussion group all doing the same course. The dynamic trio is one that wears several hats; from ideating to product development and marketing. There is no Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, it’s just a plain combination of the best traits of the two luminaries.
Simon Kirumira, Allan Lubowa and Jansuk Joshua helped kick off the product development in the first half of 2013. Up until this time, Simon, the CEO, had invested in about UGX 700,000/= in research and prototyping. The first batch of inventory was sent into the market starting in late 2013 stretching to 2014. Even though the sales were meagre then, the prospects were promising.
The marketing mix
For anybody in manufacturing, scale and scope are key terms; where scale is the capability to produce for a given market and scope is the capability to distribute the manufactured goods. So here is the Fire Fountain team (registered under Sales Parrot Ltd ) pondering with limited resources to serve a projected demand. Simon recounts how the team set out on a strategy of bootstrapping their business from the word go. They had to figure out their distribution channels without spending a penny on marketing, they had to educate the masses on how to use the product and above all, they had to manufacture for profit.
When they pivoted from a wax based product to a sawdust based product, they knew that they had a gem right in their hands and the onus was unto them to make it fit in an already populated market. “Sawdust is the eureka for any product that involves burning,” Simon added, “It [sawdust] burns wildly and generates enough energy.” Undeniably, there are a slew of direct competitors to Fire Fountain with seemingly the same product ingredients but the major difference comes in how the belligerent flames of sawdust are contained, how smoke is minimized and of course the pricing of the final product. Fire Fountain beats competitors like Super Finetuner on all the mentioned frontiers. When team heads out to the field they use price for product differentiation which they tout as friendly and affordable to the average person.
So I pause a question whether, Fire Fountain is patented. After careful thought, Simon answers and says that there was no reason for someone patent something that anyone could easily come up with after a few Google searches. The irony in his answer is unmasked by the product’s ingredients on its packaging; sawdust and inflammable oils. The science of the ingredients lies in the mathematics of the manufacturing. It’s a secret formula which definitely Google will not give you. The magic is in the ratios of the constituent ingredients in the product, they are preconditioned to burn in 7 minutes or less, give off NO smoke and burn controllably in limited oxygen. It looks simple but it took the trio close to two years to figure out.
With a winning product in tow, consumer awareness and sales conversion are the daily bread. Every day, the team ventures out on how to educate a prospective consumer, convert them into sales. Through planned routes in the greater regions of Kampala, they conduct their distributions to small scale retail shops that they have established relationships with. On their sole motorcycle locally known as boda boda, one of them traverses the definite routes to distribute, scout for reviews and report back to office. On the other hand, Simon, a prolific speaker oft gets gigs with some NGOs he liaises with. They tour secondary schools around Kampala creating awareness about issues such as HIV/AIDS prevention, empowerment of the girl child among others. Simon is the entrepreneurship firebrand, he gives motivational talks using stories from personal experiences. Students love it, they love his stories and explicitly act as ambassadors for Fire Fountain when they return home. From this, word spreads from one person to another and the chain grows longer and longer. The team alludes word of mouth as the single most important method that has brought in more sales.
On other days, where there are exhibitions at universities, public spaces, the team is represented. They believe that exhibitions are prime ground for not only making sales but stamping a position as a legitimate brand before the public eyes.
Of legitimacy and effecting brand awareness, the team ventured into distributing Fire Fountain in supermarkets. The deal is that products are displayed on the supermarket stands for free and then sales are split as agreed. Arguably, this is the most effective strategy for mass consumer goods in Uganda, renowned ICT and agriculture consultant James agrees, he says that supermarkets are the most suitable channels for trading of physical goods in Uganda. The team targets supermarkets strategically placed in various places all over Kampala. So far, they have 40 supermarkets on their distribution channel list, and notably they have figured a sweet spot in this list.
They call it the Triangle Confluence .
It consists of 3 supermarkets located equidistant to each other; Mega standard supermarket, Standard supermarket and New city (Quality) supermarket. The area where these supermarkets operate in, downtown Kampala, is a beehive of activities. They serve more than 1.5 million people daily and having a less known product in their stands is like hitting gold. No wonder, Fire Fountain has seen a recent surge in demand. Demand has risen from 4 dozens per day. Each dozen has 12 packs and each pack (9 pellets) of Fire Fountain sells for a recommended retail price of UGX 1,500/=. This is where the issue of scale and scope comes back. Whereas they seem to have figured out the scope, the scale is still a thorn in the flesh.
For a team that produces a product as a side business, a side hustle. The strides undertaken so far are remarkable. They have turned theories from the business and academic worlds into practice. On plot 6, Gadaffi Road, Old Kampala, sits the company office-cum-factory. The only thing missing though is a chimney, well for a factory whose product doesn’t give off smoke, I guess a chimney is not needed. To be precise they’re brewing their products in a garage, cliché? Great companies like Apple and Google started up in garages, even one of Uganda’s finest design studios, Addmaya, started in one , so it is no surprise. And neither is it done on purpose, garages in most cases are cheap or even free of rent and companies that start out small find them convenient.
Whereas it takes one person 1.2 hours to manufacture 4 packs of Fire Foundation, it would take a machine even less to produce much more. The famous assembly line introduced by Henry Ford saw a paradigm shift in manufacturing, as a matter of fact, Ford industries started assembling 8 cars in 6 hours yet the same quantity would have previously taken them 48 hours. Revolutionary!
Simon tells me that he drives strategic inspiration from this, he says that they have designed a low cost machine to help them to increase productivity and serve the growing demand. But unfortunately, scaling is a time function which they seem not to have, or perhaps, they’re dreaming a dream too big.
On the other side of the hill, belies, Nakasero and Kamwokya, home of Uganda’s league of entrepreneurs who mostly develop digital products commonly known as apps. As the code wielding entrepreneurs grind, the old hill will be watching, it’s not sleeping as you may want to think.
Something is cooking. And it’s coming to a charcoal stove near you.
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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