HiPipo Money

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As part of its celebration of the landmark achievement of 10 million subscribers, MTN Uganda has accorded the success to the loyalty and commitment of its customers and hence announced a give-back of 10 million minutes of free MTN airtime and 100million, MB of data today. This means that each customer automatically gets one MTN to MTN minutes and 10 MB of data.

Announcing the milestone which comes in the backdrop of the recent MTN Group interim results which indicated a massive improvement, MTN Uganda’s Acting Chief Marketing Officer Kenneth Kiddu said, “I cannot emphasize the importance of this milestone to us, it is clear from our research that network quality and investment remains one of the key reasons for customers trust and loyalty to MTN and we are grateful to our customers who have been loyal and very supportive to this achievement. I affirm that our key focus remains the expansion of the infrastructure to enhance network quality for both voice and data across the region”.

With this achievement, MTN Uganda has cemented its position in the market both in terms of market share and value share. Since it was launched in 1998, MTN Uganda has moved steadily to control more than 50% of the telecommunications market in Uganda.

Over the last year MTN Uganda has been focusing on Network Quality, the rollout of innovative Products and Services, improvement of Customer Experience and wide distribution network which has consolidated the leadership in quality service and delivery.

MTN Uganda with the support of MTN Group for the past 16 years has made major investments to its infrastructure by adding 117 new 2G sites and 130 new 3G sites for the six months that ended 30^th June 2014. Over this period, MTN Uganda has invested Shs 100 billion in network and other infrastructure to improve customer experience, taking their cumulative capital expenditure to over Ush 1.5 trillion since inception.

In addition, MTN Mobile Money recorded a 20.7% increase since December 2013 to 6.2 million registered users, who in turn now generate more than 28.5 million transactions per month.  These drivers have contributed to a 39.4% increase in mobile money related revenue.

“This momentum is continuing, and we take pleasure in announcing that we have now surpassed the significant milestone of 10 million subscribers. These additional customers, together with our strong data revenue growth of 54.7%, have contributed significantly to our 6.8% year-on-year increase in Revenue.  Our data revenue now contributes 24.7% to total revenues.   This revenue growth was achieved despite the significant reductions in revenue from incoming international calls, as a result of Government’s imposition of a 9c per minute levy causing a reduction of minutes of more than 30% in incoming international minutes since the introduction in July 2013,”Kiddu added.

In terms of Network Infrastructure, MTN continues to lead the way in terms of investment and its commitment to development of the ICT sector. MTN has secured USD 60 million as additional investment in 2014 to expand its Infrastructure and Services and this will be added to the USD 150 million invested during the last 2 years.

MTN Uganda launched its Mobile Network operations in 1998 and since inception MTN’s cumulative investment has been in excess of UGX 1.7 Trillion. In 2013, the company injected more than UGX 140 billion in upgrading the Network infrastructure and adding another 400Km of national fibre. By December 2013, MTN Uganda’s total Fibre infrastructure exceeded 3,200km.

According to Kiddu, MTN Uganda will continue to invest in Uganda to ensure that it lives up to its vision which is to lead the delivery of a bold, new Digital World whilst improving the community. In sixteen years, MTN has through its continuous investment, created direct and indirect jobs for more than 560,000 Ugandans through partnership and business relationship. 

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The U 17 players who were chosen during the Airtel Rising Stars season 4 regionals are currently in training at Njeru Technical Center in Jinja. They are being trained and closely supervised by FUFA coaches ‘Video’Anyau and HadijahNamuyimba in preparation for the African champions that are going to be held in Gabon. The coaches are happy about the progress that the players have shown since the regionals and are optimistic about Uganda’s performance in the championships.

The fruits of the Airtel Rising Stars tournament are already visible, with four players in the current Under 17 Uganda National team having passed through this program.

The U17 players chosen to represent Uganda in the Airtel African championships will leave for Gabon on 23^rd August 2014.

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Smile Uganda has today announced the launch ofits new 5GB data bundle which is a welcome addition to the other existing bundle options aimed at providing customers with high-quality, fast and consistent true 4G LTE broadband experience in Uganda.

Available to new and existing Smile Uganda customers, the 5GB bundle option that goes for only UGX 90,000and is valid for 60 daysprovides customers with the best value bundle on the market, and reinforces Smile’s commitment to provide innovative and cost effective services.

Smile Uganda currently offers 4G LTE broadband internet access via multi-user devices; the portable, sleek MiFi starter-pack goes for 240,000/= with a free 5GB data bundle, the Smile Router goes for 410,000/= with a free 10GB data bundle. Smile SIM Cards are compatible with Ipad Air, Ipad Mini, Nokia Lumia 2520, Samsung Galaxys and they go for 50,000/= with 2GB of free data.

Smile Uganda marked its one year’s anniversary on 6^th June, 2014, a major milestone as it continues to provide Ugandans with Superfast internet services on their 4G LTE platform. Furthermore, Smile Uganda has a customer-centric approach with a commitment to providing the best customerexperience. This commitment is reflected in the way they do their business, their choice of technologies and in their people.

For more information on Smile Uganda’s products and services, customers can go to: http://smile.co.ug/products-services/

Please see below Smile Uganda’s standard tariffs / data bundle prices:

*New 5GB data bundle

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Retiring Kenya Airways CEO Titus Naikuni has been appointedchairman of Rift Valley Railways’ Board of Directors with effect from November.

Mr. Naikuni will head a board that has been reconstituted following recent shareholder restructuring at the firm that holds a concession to operate freight transportation services on the Kenya – Uganda railway.

Naikuni brings extensive operational, business leadership and policy formulation experience to the rail operator thathas been consolidating volume and efficiency gains on the back of substantial capital investments, including new contracts for steel, fuel and bulk grain transportation.

RVR is at the midpoint of a sh25 billion($287 million) capital investment and turnaround programme that began in January 2012 to revitalise the railway that had been ailing from years of neglect and underinvestment.

In the 26 months since the start of the renewal programme the company has invested sh11 billion ($126 million) in modern rail operating technology, rebuilding infrastructure, expanding haulage capacity and developing modern rail operating skills in the 2,400 strong workforce.

RVR has completed the rehabilitation of the most damaged sections of the railway track between Mombasa and Nairobi and rehabilitated and reopened the 500km railway from Tororo to Gulu in northern Uganda after a 20 year hiatus. Installation of satellite tracking and GPS-based technology on all trains helped cut cargo transit times between Mombasa and Nairobi by six hours.

Commenting on his appointment Naikuni said, “RVR’srecent achievements together with the full funding of its investment and growth plan mean it is now uniquely positioned to become a high performing railway network that can spurtrade and economic growth in the region”.

He added, “I am excited aboutthis opportunity to work with the board and staff to builda robust and efficient rail transport solution which is the backbone of a thriving economy”.

In September RVR will receive the first batch of the 20 General Electric locomotives acquired from the USA. This order will complement the additional 14 trains that are being refurbished and leased, doublingthe fleet of locomotives on the main line.

“To have such a seasoned and transformational business leader chair the RVR board is a big win for the company”, said Ahmed Heikal, chairman of Qalaa Holdings, leading shareholder of the railway firm. “His insights and vast transport sector experience will be invaluable in helping RVR realise the potential of the ambitious investment and growth programme it has embarked on”.

Mr. Naikuni joined the Kenya Airways as group CEO in 2003 and spearheaded one of the most noteworthy and rapid expansions of an African airline, growing revenues threefold to over sh105 billion ($1.2 billion) and doubling fleet andpassenger numbers.

Prior to joining the national carrierNaikuni was group managing director of the Magadi Soda Company. In 1999 he was appointed permanent secretary in the Ministry of Information, Transport and Communication as part of a team ofexperts engaged by government to drive economic reform.

His extensive boardroom experience spans the energy, mining, real estate, banking, film, manufacturing and ITC sectors. 

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Finalists in the prestigious CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2014 Competition were announced today by Ferial Haffajee, Chair of the independent judging panel. The competition is now in its 19^th year.

This year the competition received entries from 38 countries across the continent, including French and Portuguese speaking Africa.

There are 28 finalists from 10 countries:  

1. Daniel Biaou Adje, ORTB, Benin
2. Safia Berkouk, El Watan, Algeria
3. Vinayak Bhardwaj & Tabelo Timse, M&G Centre for Investigative Journalism, Mail & Guardian, South Africa
4. Romão Brandão, Jornal OPAÍS, Angola
5. Sean Christie, Freelance for Landbouweekblad and The Mail & Guardian, South Africa
6. Obinna Emelike, Business Day, Nigeria
7. Ben Ezeamalu & Emmanuel Ogala, Premium Times, Nigeria
8. Bob Koigi, Farmbizafrica.com, Kenya
9. Joseph Mathenge, Freelance for The Saturday Nation, Kenya
10. Anne Mawathe & Rashid Ibrahim, Citizen TV, Kenya
11. Patrick Mayoyo, Daily Nation, Kenya
12. Christine Muthee & Oliver Oscar Ochanda, Media Development in Africa (MEDEVA), Kenya
13. Dickson Ng’hily, The Guardian, Tanzania
14. John Muchangi Njiru, The Star Newspaper, Kenya
15. Olatunji Ololade, The Nation Newspaper, Nigeria
16. Bayo Olupohunda, Columnist, Punch Newspaper, Nigeria
17. Ossène Ouattara, Infoduzanzan.com, Côte d’Ivoire
18. Brito Simango, Televisão de Moçambique, Moçambique
19. Joy Summers & Susan Comrie, Mnet Carte Blanche, South Africa
20. Suy Kahofi, Freelance for West Africa Democracy Radio, Senegal
21. Paballo Thekiso, Saturday Star, South Africa
22. Bento Venancio, Jornal Domingo, Moçambique
23. Evelyn Watta, Sportsnewsarena.com, Kenya

Announcing the finalists, chairperson of the independent judging panel Ferial Haffajee said: “2013 was a huge news year, and the stories from our continent set a global agenda. The judges were pleased with the quality of entries, and were impressed by the depth of specialist beat reporting. In addition, they noted the growing sophistication of the use of images and pictures across all platforms.”

The independent judging panel, chaired by Ferial Haffajee, Editor-in-Chief, City Press, South Africa includes: Debo Adesina, Editor-in-Chief, Guardian Newspapers, Nigeria; Betty Dindi, Managing Editor of QTV, Nation Media Group, Kenya;Jean-Paul Gérouard, Editor-in-Chief, France Télévisions ; Anton Harber, Caxton Professor of Journalism at the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa; Joel Kibazo, Director of Communications, Africa Development Bank; Arlindo Lopes, Regional Regulatory GM, MultiChoice Angola; Amadou Mahtar Ba, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman, AllAfrica Global Media;  Kim Norgaard, CNN Africa Bureau Chief; Aires Walter dos Santos,  Account Executive, iSenta Comunicação & Imagem SA, Angola.

The competition is once again supported by the following sponsors, who continue to lend their valuable support to the awards: The Coca-Cola Company; Ecobank; GE Africa; IPP Media, Tanzania; Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) and A24 Media.

The finalists will enjoy an all-expenses paid four day programme of workshops, media forums and networking in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania culminating in a Gala Award Ceremony on Saturday 18 October 2014.

The host for the evening is CNN International anchor and correspondent Isha Sesay, host of ‘CNN NewsCenter’.

Tony Maddox, Executive Vice-President and Managing Director of CNN International said: “I have witnessed the quality and excellence of work in this competition strengthen year on year, and am proud that it continues to maintain its place as the most prestigious Pan African journalist awards. Just as CNN encourages, promotes and recognises excellence in journalism at all levels, we are particularly pleased to be able to support journalists who represent our future.”

Nico Meyer, CEO MultiChoice Africa said: “MultiChoice Africa congratulates all finalists and thanks our esteemed panel of judges for taking time to select the very best of African journalism.   As a company born and bred in Africa we have an unmatched passion for the continent and believe in making long term and sustainable invests in order to enable development and to create a meaningful legacy in the countries in which we operate. These awards demonstrate CNN’s and MultiChoice’s commitment to the development of media in Africa, Meyer said – and this is a very special year as we celebrate our 10th year of our partnership.”

Imtiaz Patel, Group CEO of MultiChoice South Africa said: “As a long-time partner to CNN in these awards, we know the prestige that comes with being a finalist. I would therefore like to extend our best wishes to the finalists – thank you for telling the stories of Africa. We look forward to celebrating your journalistic excellence at the awards in October.”

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Telecom service provider, Airtel Africa, has named Mr. Tom Gutjahr as the new Managing Director for Uganda with effect from August 1st 2014 following a strategic plan to drive the company’s leadership and build the firm’s growing brand and as well, expand the company’s 3G footprint.

The new MD for Airtel Uganda, Tom Gutjahr replaces Arindam Chakrabarty who has been the firm’s acting Managing Director following the promotion of Mr. VG Somasekhar, the previous MD in Uganda within the Airtel business in Africa to look after a portfolio of 8 countries. Mr. Arindam Chakrabartywill continue in his substantive role as CCO, Airtel Uganda.

In a statement, Airtel Africa CEO Mr. Christian de Faria said, “This appointment underlines Airtel’s commitment to significantly improve access to telecoms services, connecting millions of consumers to the internet in Africa.

In Mr. Gutjahr, I am confident that Airtel will continue to enhance the benefits of telecommunications services for the communities in Uganda. I want to warmly welcome him to the Airtel family.”

Before the appointment, Mr. Gutjahr was Chief Executive Officer in Tigo Paraguay (Millicom International Cellular), the biggest operation in the Millicom Group. Prior to that, he had a stint as CEO for the Tigo operation in Rwanda in 2011; and CEO for Tigo in Chad between 2008 and 2010.

Mr. Gutjahr is also expected to provide further access to mobile commerce services, whilst providing winning customer service support.

About Bharti Airtel

Bharti Airtel Limited is a leading global telecommunications company with operations in 20 countries across Asia and Africa. Headquartered in New Delhi, India, the company ranks amongst the top 4 mobile service providers globally in terms of subscribers. In India, the company’s product offerings include 2G, 3G and 4G wireless services, mobile commerce, fixed line services, high speed DSL broadband, IPTV, DTH, enterprise services including national & international long distance services to carriers. In the rest of the geographies, it offers 2G, 3G wireless services and mobile commerce. Bharti Airtel had over 297 million customers across its operations at the end of April 2014. To know more please visit, www.airtel.com 

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Africa Magic viewers on DStv and GOtv will notice something slightly different about the popular entertainment channels. They’ll still have the same great African programming, the same dazzling African stars and the same unforgettable African storytelling, but with one big difference – the channels are changing their names and that marks the debut of the brand new Africa Magic channel identities.

The changes are being rolled out as part of Africa Magic’s development strategy, as the brand looks to become even more accessible by ensuring that each of its channels are clearly defined, not just in content but also in name.

Commenting on the change, M-Net Director for West Africa, Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, explains the reasoning behind the decision and what it represents for Africa Magic viewers: “Africa Magic has grown very fast and we’ve been pushed by the market to launch multiple channels to meet the demand for home-grown content. As a result, we had spent more time focussed on the content of the channels using basic naming conventions for channel names. Now, it’s time to give these channels strong names that will allow them to speak directly to what they are.  This is very important to us because we want our audiences to have the convenience of knowing exactly which channel offers them the programming that they are specifically looking for.”

While the name changes have been seamlessly incorporated on air so as to cause no inconvenience to viewers, they will each contribute positively to the evolving Africa Magic brand. The changes are as follows:

·         Africa Magic Entertainment (DStv channel 150/151), home to such hit original shows as Tinsel, Kona and StarGist, is becoming Africa Magic Showcase, a particularly appropriate name given that it showcases premium African content, from blockbuster movies to must-watch series, all screened first on the channel.

• Africa Magic Movies (DStv channel 152) is becoming Africa Magic Epic Movies in celebration of the epic stories it tells in keeping with its personality of being rooted in culture.

• Africa Magic Movies 1 (DStv channel 153) is becoming Africa Magic Urban Movies, a tribute to its ‘real life, real stories’ outlook that is based on contemporary tales told in modern settings.

• Meanwhile the original Africa Magic channel (DStv channel 154) will also be changing its name and is becoming Africa Magic Family, simply titled because coming home to the channel is just like coming home tofamily. The first Africa Magic channel ever created, it’s become like family to most television viewers on the continent and is jam-packed with your favourite stars and stories.

“With the rest of the Africa Magic channels staying exactly as they are (Hausa, Swahili, World and Yoruba), you don’t have to look further than any of the 8 Africa Magic channels to get your daily dose of super African entertainment content. There is so much to look out for, with many other exciting programmes like Big Brother Africa season 9 coming to Africa Magic soon,” Mba-Uzoukwu added.

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M-Net said it would create compelling local television content in East Africa. It did.

M-Net said it would launch a dedicated Swahili channel for audiences in East Africa. It did.

M-Net said it would partner with SuperSport to build a studio facility in East Africa. It did.

M-Net said it would produce 56 original films in East Africa in a single year. It did.

Now M-Net has revealed it will launchanew East African focussed TV brand, Maisha Magic, specifically tailored to meet DStv subscriber viewing needs. And on September 1, it will.

The announcementof its latest East African investment was made by M-Net and MultiChoice Kenya and Multichoice Uganda at a press conference this week at the Hilton Hotel in Nairobi. Speaking at the event, M-Net East Africa Regional Director Michael Ndetei confirmed that Maisha Magic would be launched on DStv in just four short weeks.

“M-Net has been building steadily on its investment in the East African market, centralized in Kenya but with outreach across the region. We have recognized that whilst the AfricaMagic brand has come to represent a powerful philosophy about pan-African cohesion, there is definitely great potential for a customized East African television brand.

As such, M-Net put in place a detailed project a few years ago to carefully build its technical, staffing and content capacity so that when Maisha Magic is officially launched, it would be the culmination of all these investments.”

He goes on to say, “We have always believed that East African talent, East African stories are as vital and as compelling as those found anywhere else in Africa. This is a fact proven by the success of East African content at the first two Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards. Now with our studio fully functioning, the AfricaMagic Original Films Project well underway producing made-for-TV titles and our flagship show Mashariki Mix well established, we are ready to launchMaisha Magic,both the channel and the brand.”

The Maisha Magic channel will be screened 24/7 to DStv Premium, Compact Plus and Compact subscribers on channel 161. It will predominantly be made up of East African content, though the channel will also include some international programming that have resonance with East African audiences, such as Latin American telenovelas, dubbed into English.  Ndetei confirms the combination strategy saying, “Our research demonstrated clearly that our audiences want home-grown entertainment, interspersed with very specific kinds of international content, so we’re working on getting that balance right to ensure that this is in fact a channel made in East Africa, for East Africans, to meet East African tastes.”

Programming on the Maisha Magic channel will encompass multiple genres including sitcom, telenovelas, reality, drama and music. Highlights to look out for include comedy shows Mr & Mrs Singh and Mazagazaga and Comedy Club Ugandahosted by Ann Kansiime; the dramas Rush and The Tendo Sisters; the music shows Wakilisha and Beyond the Beat; the Mexican soaps A Love To Remember and Loving You Is All I Wantas well as recent hits such as Konaand Noose of Gold. TheMaisha Magic channel will also be the home for all daily highlight programs from Big Brother Africa 9, plus all the live Sunday eviction shows. 

Further, given that the Maisha Magic channel is East African focussed and will be compiled in East Africa, the major benefit is that its scheduling will be harnessed to maximize the prime-time viewing patterns of its audience, while offering the region’s advertisers a targeted channel opportunity for talking to the market.

In addition to the Maisha Magic channel, the Maisha Magic brand will also be entrenched on September 24^th when Africa Magic Swahili officially becomes Maisha Magic Swahili. Simultaneously, the Africa Magic Original Films initiative which produced 56 movies in East Africa recently will transform intoMaisha Magic Original Films initiative under whose banner a massive 60 more films will be produced before the end of this year.

Meanwhile, thanking East African filmmakers and producers for their strong support of

M-Net, Ndetei also expressed his appreciation for their partnership. “Our team is focussed on growing the positive relationships M-Net already enjoys with the film, TV and media community across the region; professionals and visionaries who have and are continuing to collaborate with us to establish this exciting new brand. Together we are emphatically saying that Maisha Magic is here and it is here to stay!”

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Over 500 new mothers at Mulago Hospital were today sensitized on proper hygiene and health in their homes. In addition, they were rewarded with OMO Fast Action during an activation aimed at demonstrating a better, faster and more enjoyable washing experience.

The fastest stain removal formulation in Uganda, has since its launch as promised continued to educate and reward consumers, both individuals and businesses, sensitizing and demonstrating its superiority while giving them a chance to win various prizes.

Mothers, being the natural caregivers, control the home and children’s hygiene hence the move by Unilever to reach out to the new mothers Hospitals for this sensitization drive.

The sensitization drives have been taking place over the past one month and have covered Kampala’s main hospitals including Mengo, Nsambya, Kibuli, Naguru, Kawaala, Kisenyi, Kisugu, Komambogo and Kitebi, these will continue to upcountry hospitals to give chance to new mothers to experience the brand and get to learn about family hygiene and health.

Speaking after the Activity in Mulago, Unilever Uganda Marketing Manager said, “One of our core beliefs as Omo is that “dirt is good”! We believe that through play and exploration, the development and creativity of our children is achieved.I assure all our mothers and consumers that your search for the best stain removal detergent has come to an end so encourage your children’s natural curiosity”.

Omo will continue storming various markets, supermarkets, hospitals, ladies clubs and washing baysacross the country giving the public an opportunity to win various exciting prizes but most importantly getting them to experience the new brand attributes through trial and wash demos.

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Airtel Uganda and ThoughtWorks came into partnership to offer support to Uganda’s young talented women in technology. This was during the second edition of the “Girl Geek Dinner” in Kampala that took place at Fairway Hotel.

Girl Geek Dinner is an informal organization that promotes women in the Information Technology industry. It has 64 established chapters in 23 countries and it was founded in London, United Kingdom in August 2005 by Sarah Lamb, who was tired of being the only woman at technical events.

The women technology practitioners get together to share and learn from each over dinner. While the event is open primarily to women, men can only attend as guests of women attendees or as speakers.

Under the theme; “Inspire a lady”, Airtel pledged to support more women who are technology enthusiasts and are willing to go a mile further to discover their ambitions. The dinner attracted a gathering of over 100 girls in the technology industry and at university.

Speaking at the event, Christine Ampaire, founder of Girl Geek Kampala said; “There is room and plenty of opportunities for girls in technology. The numbers of women in technology is growing every day and we need to encourage other ladies to join us. Find what you love and do it.”

Airtel offers internship programs and other related support to ladies with interest in technology and they promised to offer more support to girls with interests.

Arindam Chakrabarty, Airtel Managing Director said; “Today, the technology sector has grown diversely and we hope that the ladies in the Girl Geek organization are also encouraging their fellow girls to join and be part of this boom.This partnership is a testament of Airtel’s commitment to the Girl Geek Dinner and creating solutions for the technology industry in Uganda. We are honoured and proud to be a partner in this initiative. It is a phenomenal achievement for the technology community. “