By Reporter

The grand finale of the 6th annual Digital Impact Awards Africa 2019 (DIAA) was on 20th September 2019 at Mestil Hotel in Kampala, Uganda. Under the theme “Include Everyone”, The Digital Impact Awards Africa is a platform that promotes Digital inclusion, financial inclusion and cyber security.

DIAA is Africa’s most important gathering of C-Level Executives, and Senior Digital and IT executives. The event was a climax of the Include Everyone- Digital and Financial Inclusion Summit which explores the strategic trends and technologies that are shaping the future of Digital, IT and business. The DIAA seek to recognize, celebrate and appreciate different individuals and organizations that are spearheading the use of digital mediums to better serve their communities. The awards had 16 Uganda categories and 6 Continental categories. There was a jury/research panel assessment and public survey/vote to determine eventual winners. StarTimes was nominated in two categories; Africa Best Content App (Africa), and Disruptive Innovation (Uganda).In the ‘Africa Best Content App’ category, the StarTimes ON App was up against Kwese iflix, DSTV Now and Netflix. StarTimes won the accolade!While in the ‘Disruptive Innovation’ category, the StarTimes ON App was running against MTN MoMoCard, SafeBoda Pairing, Citimasta App, Standard Chartered Bank, and YO TV who won this award. The StarTimes team was very happy to receive the news that they were the winner of the Africa Best Content App-StarTimes ON at the DIAA 2019.

StarTimes CEO, Mr Franklin Wang said: “It was a tough competition! We were nominated alongside other equally successful companies so it is a great honor winning this award. We thank our customers for their support and DIAA for the recognition.” StarTimes had a lot more reason to celebrate because as they were winning at the DIAA 2019, they were also winning at the 10th annual People’s Choice Quality Awards 2019 that were being held at Hotel Africana. These awards recognize excellence in service, and quality in product. The Awards were given based on a survey done by Muyz Plus Advertising International between January and April 2019 in 5 regions in Uganda: Western, Northern, Central, Eastern, and Kampala. The survey was done in accordance with the Uganda Bureau of Statistics population census geographical data. The People’s Choice Quality Awards recognized more than 20 brands for being exceptionally good at what they do. StarTimes was announced as the Best Pay TV in Uganda, and was awarded by the State Minister for Trade, Hon. Michael Werikhe Kafabusa who was the guest of honor.Mr Franklin Wang, the CEO of StarTimes said, “We are so honored to receive this award. Our team puts in the work to make sure the public gets great service.

We thank our customers for their support because without them, we would not be here. Thank you People’s Choice Awards for acknowledging and appreciating our services.”The StarTimes ON Mobile AppStarTimes ON is StarTimes’ official App providing video streaming service of 70+ LIVE TV channels, exclusive LIVE football matches (StarTimes Uganda Premier League (SUPL), UEFA Europa League, Bundesliga, French Ligue1, and online videos, catch up, short videos, plus TV guide of all 400+ channels on StarTimes’ digital TV platform. The StarTimes Mobile Application which can be downloaded for free on the Google Play Store and Apple App store offers viewers over 70 channels.StarTimesStarTimes is the leading digital TV operator in Africa, serving nearly 20 million users with a signal covering the whole continent and a massive distribution network of 200 brand halls, 3,000 convenience stores and 5,000 distributors. StarTimes owns a featured content platform, with 480 authorized channels consisting of news, movies, series, sports, entertainment, children’s programs, etc. The company’s vision is “To ensure that every African family can access, afford, watch and share the beauty of digital TV”. StarTimes achieves this by combining satellite and terrestrial DTV systems as well as OTT services to provide an open and secure digital wireless platform. The company provides a robust signal transmission service for public and private broadcasters, offers consumers outstanding Pay-TV programs, mobile multimedia, wireless Internet connectivity and convenient online services.

By Reporter

The Recovery Coalition Members and Participants in Uganda recently held the 4th Annual Uganda Recovery Walk, as one of many darts to create awareness about the rampant vice that is substance and Alcohol abuse, and problem behaviour(sex addiction,gambling,et al). The walk which took place last Saturday at Kitante Primary School, was attended by an array of government bodies and NGOs.

The walk is held every september because September is a Recovery month worldwide. To celebrate the day, millions of prevention, treatment, and recovery programs and facilities around the world organize activities that recognize the problem and create awareness. The Ugandan edition was attended by individuals who’d faced and overcome the wrath of alcohol and other abuse plus problem behaviour as well as service providers in the field of mental health, such as; Focus On Recovery-Uganda, FORE Tranquil Homes, UAPA, Hope and Beyond, Serenity Center, Vkids, UNHCO, Butabika National Refferal Hospital, Ministry of Health, Ministry Of Education, UHCA, Kyambogo University (KYURI,) St Francis Primary School, Makerere Primary School, Green Valley Primary School, Ugandan Girl Guides Association, Recovery Ministries Internaitonal, Teens Challenge Jinja, Transformative Recovery Initiative, Uganda Youth Development Link, Life Back Foundation, International Aid Services.

The ED of Butabika Dr. David Basangwa, who was representing the Minister of State for Primary Health Care,Hon Dr.Joyce Moriku Kaducu, commended Recovery Coalition for the work they were doing. He emphasided the need for Ugandans to own the problem of alcohol abuse and mental health, before suggesting that children be made aware of the dangers substance use right from an early age, in schools. “Addiction is a menace to our society that needs to be curbed, because it is spreading like a wild fire. That is why as Ministry Of Health, we pledge to always support the efforts of civil society organisations such as Recovery Coalition”,he stated. Many of the individual participants that attended the walk had only recently recovered through the Rehab Course at Tranquil Homes Entebbe, and were elated to share testimonies.“I want to take this opportunity to thank FORE Tranquil Homes for helping me recover.

The environment in their Entebbe Premises is, like their name, very tranquil, and facilitates the steady progress through their panoply of recovery programs,” noted a former abuser who’d recovered.

By Reporter

Hive Colab has partnered with ICT Association of Uganda (ICTAU) and will this years hold another edition of the Swarm summit. This year’s exhibition will be at UMA show ground between 22nd to 23rd Nov. 2019.

This year’s exhibition will be themed “Celebrating Uganda’s Digital Transformation”. The Swarm summit and Tech Expo is aimed at recognizing the different levels of development of Uganda’s digital landscape, showcasing the different entities working to create a harmonious tech ecosystem in the country.

“From its humble beginnings as the first tech hub almost 10 years ago, Hive Colab has supported the entrepreneurial spirit of Uganda’s in technology. Three years ago we launched the annual Swarm Summit to provide a stage where Uganda’s digital entrepreneurs could share their innovations and their stories,” said TMS Ruge; Co-founder and Director, Hive Colab. “This year, we’re thrilled to expand on that spirit with a partnership with ICTAU to launch this year’s Swarm Summit and Expo. We’re thrilled to provide a larger stage to showcase the technological innovations shaping Uganda’s digital economy,” he added.

The summit celebrates Uganda’s top business and technology minds building enterprises powering Uganda’s emerging digital economy.The Expo is open for the public to attend. To attend or exhibit register here www.swarm.ug