I have heard it being predicted, speculated and forecasted that Newspapers in Uganda and the wider African continent will face an eminent death by a thousand cuts just about anytime from now. The reasoning has been simple — the onslaught of digital media. In the US only , more than 166 U.S. newspapers have stopped putting out a print edition or closed down altogether since 2008, according to Paper Cuts , a website that tracks the progress of news papers.

Digital media that has been ushered in by the widespread use of the internet coupled with affordable (and free) robust publishing platforms have been hailed for leveling the publishing ground. One, that has for centuries since the invention of the printing press, been dominated by powerful media houses with thousands of dollars in their coffers.

The internet has tilted the balance for and arguably against the incumbents. The internet changed or rather introduced new metrics upon which we evaluate media. Back in the day, it was all about, who had figured out distribution. That is, who could distribute the papers nationwide each morning for the early commuters to get a glimpse of the morning news. It was about who could afford hundreds of journalists equiped with expensive media gathering tools such as TV and DSLR cameras and had the right media passes to key events to report the news. Not only that, it was also about who had the best mass printers cost effective enough to gush out thousands of newspapers each day for the mass market.

But the web and more recently mobile have changed the metrics that validated media houses.

The costs of distributions have been slashed by an order of more than a thousand points. With just a domain name and a WordPress site that cost is now less than $500 for starters. Distribution of media is no longer that capital intensive. More recently the advent of social media further enabled web publishers to distribute their content beyond their own networks.

Equipped with only a twitter handle and a smartphone camera (which are matching up with standard DSLRs), anyone today can report the news to the masses in an instant. The time of production of news media has been, just like distribution, cut into an order of hundreds of thousands. What took perhaps a whole day, now requires simply clicking that juicy blue “publish” or Tweet button.

However, even though technology has tilted the wave more towards small publishers, hobbyists, freelancers and just about anyone interested in publishing media, In Africa, it’s not that obvious.

The web has instead reinforced the Newspapers and made them the ultimate cathedrals of media in the continent. The web and mobile have increased on the distribution channels for the traditional media houses to proportions they have never imagined. Social media in particular has further contributed to more readership for the papers.

The Daily Monitor, one of Uganda’s daily papers for instance has more than 300,000 Likes on Facebook and 88,000 followers on Twitter. That’s more than the paper’s daily readership estimated at about 38,000 on the old school hard-copy paper! As you can see, this means that the paper is now capable of reaching more people online that it previously did offline, this time however, with less resources and in a more timely manner. The same goes for the New Vision and the weekly Observer when you critically analyze their web presence.

So how about the small media publishers that could have disrupted traditional media houses because of the internet? How about the “citizen journalist” who potentially can be their own newspaper on Twitter or Facebook? And how about bloggers, freelancers who only need a username and password to setup online newspapers with Blogger, WordPress, and so forth?

Well, there are a number of reasons, that unlike in other regions in the world such as the US, Europe, this isn’t and perhaps won’t happen here soon. The Ugandan cyberspace is littered with zombie online newspapers, dead blogs and very scanty content outside of the main establishment, Facebook and Twitter.

I’ve been a blogger for 4 years which also translates into same amount of experience in digital media and publishing. Social media has provided a soft landing spot for content creators but hasn’t turned them into more serious ones akin to what the newspapers are doing. Running a successful media property has its own schematics that for now work more in the favor of traditional media houses who for years have mastered them and only transpose them on the digital space.

#Content creation

You have probably heard it being said “Content is King”. It’s true.

Media is all about content. Not just content, but great, interesting content that online visitors want to consume. This content must be consistent (daily or even hourly to be exact). It should be of high quality in order to be relevant. Then It must be in high quantity. Think of it like any other product you pick off the super market shelf. News production in and of itself is an expensive process that requires on-the-ground journalists and correspondents reporting timely news on a daily basis. This is something the Newspapers have been doing for decades.

Technology, could have simplified several aspects of the news publishing process, but you can’t replace real humans when it comes to news gathering. This capital intensive process continues to elude new digital newspapers that are often resource constrained to support this news machine.

Blogs on the other hand, are not so Newsy. So they could afford to escape this hurdle quite easily. Dignited for instance, even though publishes [Technology] news as and when it’s available doesn’t solely rely on News as its primary content. We do lots of non-newsy stuff like gadget reviews, How-Tos, etc. However, we still have to produce consistent, high quality content on a daily basis. Fortunately for us, this is something we’ve figured out how to do, but this isn’t the case for everyone.

#Distribution and Marketing

In media, they say, if “content is king”, then “distribution is queen”…and she wears the pants! That’s right, she does.

When you have figured out how to create that awesome content, news or blogs, the next thing is how to distribute it. Fine, digital media leveled the ground for both the traditional media houses and newcomers to favourably distribute their content at reasonably low cost. But there’s one reason the newspapers are ahead here; they have a well known brand.

In Africa “offline drives online”. That’s one particular timeless fact I get from my Googler friend, Elijah Kitaka. Users are just starting to get online. They of course naturally follow Twitter handles, Like Facebook pages of whoever they have been familiar with offline. Daily Monitor, New Vision have already spent years in marketing and building their brands offline and hence it makes obvious sense that online visitors will quickly search and identify with these brands online even without much marketing online.

Online Newspapers or blogs for that matter don’t have this advantage. Like the Newspapers, they have to start literally from scratch to build their brands. They have to spend marketing Shillings to acquire new readers just like the Newspapers did in their early days. If you’re operating with a shoe-string budget — which all start-ups do — you definitely have a uphill battle to fight.

#Monetization

Even though, you have figured out content creation and done your marketing and distribution quite well, there’s one more notorious monster to conquer — monetization. This particular one isn’t unique to digital startups alone, even the mainstream guys equally haven’t figured it out yet.

On the internet, “Free” is the new “Paid”! If you think that’s confusing, ask yourselves how much you have paid to read this research article. Nothing, right? Good, now you know what am talking about.

Aside paywalls, the papers like everyone else are using proven business models for digital content — Advertising. There’s one problem though; The value of a digital Ad is only a small fraction of the value of a print Ad. The cost of a banner Ad for instance on Dignited for an entire month is the same as the cost of a full page Ad on print newspaper for just one day! Crazy, I know.

Even though, the papers are still figuring out monetization for their digital products, unlike digitally native startups like Dignited, they have the support of their offline businesses which can comfortably offset the costs of their digital properties. But of course, this won’t be for so long. Just like digital startups, the papers have to figure out sustainable business models for their digital products now, while they still have lots of Shillings to spare on Research and Development. Otherwise, when their revenues from offline media starts shrinking and digital media isn’t making money yet, the papers will unfortunately face eminent death.

#Most people are still offline

With just about 6 million people online out of about 34 million Ugandans, only about 6% of the population is wired. Yes, I know the numbers are growing annually, but the question is at what rate? Whatever it is, it is not exponential. So, we still have a long way to go to have a critical mass of online users.

Even for those online, data costs are prohibitively expensive relative to other regions in the world. Most Telecoms charge UGX 0.8 per Kb or UGX 2000 for only 100MB. Between spending UGX 2000 for a hardcopy news paper and browsing the New Vision which doesn’t have everything the offline paper has with 100MB, I would rather go with the offline paper. You get the idea?

This slow internet adoption rates and high costs of data give offline media the opportunity to thrive or survive which ever way you look at it.

The Newspapers still have a long shelf life, contrary to popular opinion out there. The costs of content creation, marketing and distribution, data, critical mass of online users, and then monetization are all factors that continue to favor traditional media houses more than new digital media startups. The good news is that all these will/are changing. But until then, the show belongs to the Newspapers.

Image: palatinate.org.uk

David Okwii is the Editor-in-Chief of Dignited.com and a seasoned tech enthusiast whose journey began in the early 2000s. He started blogging while at university, diving deep into mobile apps, smartphone reviews, and operating systems—from testing Linux distros to tweaking Windows machines. David also explores Chromebooks, experiments with Raspberry Pi projects, and brings hands-on curiosity to every review. With vast experience in Uganda’s tech ecosystem and deep knowledge of Africa’s startup landscape, he offers informed, grounded perspectives on consumer technology. When he’s not writing or tinkering, David enjoys connecting with nature and exploring the outdoors.

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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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