Category: Tech

In the beginning, I developed the interest, then made a choice to take on the challenge. My first computer, a ” keyboard” picked off the garbage dumping area, started me in touch typing. Would then work in a friend’s video library, and a secretarial bureau before trading my skills in several internet cafes in Kampala.

On top of 30K+ people, my answers have helped on fixya.com and quora.com, many people look up to me for coding and tech-related solutions.

In this section of my website, I wish to share tech opportunities, challenges, and solutions, as I discover them.

I wish you a tireless reading.

100s meet at Luwero district, in Uganda to attend a cocktail of workshops ?
In month of May a group of young adults planned a social community activity in Luwero district in Uganda. Luwero district, is one of the districts located in the central part of Uganda, the biggest part of Luwero is rural despite the district being the place of safety during the war, that paved way for the National Resistance Movement on their way into power to govern the country since 1986 to date.
Whoever attended would had access to several workshops including but not limited to beat-boxing, Rapping, Bboy dance and technology for free of cost before taking part in several Hip-hop Breakdance battles.
I was also able to attend and take part because such are the days I get a chance to expand the awareness of technology among people in the rural parts of my country.

David getting closer to listen to a participant’s question.

Observed challenges
- Luckily some of the participants had smartphones though the biggest number of them were wondering how computers look like. Actually 70% of the young people of the rural areas seems to have missed the biggest opportunity to change the world through the technology simply due to accessibility. As much as the reason to lack of access many blame it to poor financial standards and corrupt leaders.
- The lack of communicating comfortably in the official language (English ) of Uganda, leaves one questioning the quality of education the rural people acquire at school. I believe this is contributing a lot to lack of self-esteem among most young Ugandans.
Take a ways
- To be honest the energy in the room, noticed from the number of participants no matter the age in each single workshop boosted my will to continue participating in such workshops.
Ugandan rapper, St. Nelly Sade coaching takes children through a music workshop focusing on Rapping.
- The questions asked are a significant symbol of desire and commitment to learn regardless accessibility.
My thoughts
- I believe sooner than later, the technology skill and knowledge divide in Uganda will soon be overcome especially if leaders and parents get involved.
- As much as the government claims to put in place inclusive systems, the impact is yet to be felt. More effort should be put in especially to combat corruption which is a major hindrance to accessibility of many services today.
- Should put final touches to the training guide we are developing to allow us increase our attendance more people in rural communities as we teach them about technology and participate in life change.
July 16, 2017
How to buy computers with best processorsK

Almost the most important component of the computer is the processor because it does the heavy duty of computing/processing requests. Because the strong it is, everyone wanting to buy the a computer considers the most popular of the processor while buying.
However following the trend is usually not the correct thing to do. In this article I would like to talk about intel processors especially the iCores.
Intel is a brand well known for manufacturing both computers and mobile processors. The processors are quite high performing due to quality but that dictates the price.
i3, i5 and i7 are the intel processors which replaced the popular duo core or core duo processors. When people look at the numbers after the letter i, they think it automatically means the higher the number the stronger.
Is that true? Well there is something more to that which is known as processor generations. If want to learn the several processor generations and their code names, head over to the this link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Intel_CPU_microarchitectures
So how do you know the processor generation before buying the computer.
If you are not comfortable touching the computer to check by yourself, then ask the seller to tell you the model of the computer so that you search about it on the internet.
Else physically check the computer by yourself.
In windows 7, right click computer and choose properties from the context menu else right click This computer if it’s windows 8 or 10.
A page will show details of your computer, including RAM and Processor. Besides the processor field you will the processor labelled like the illustration above.
According to intel, the number which appears immediately after the hyphen (-) determines the generation. i.e. i3-3215U means the processor of 3rd generation.
To more about the particular processor head over to intel’s website, and compare it to others.
Choose the right processor to have the best computer experience!

July 9, 2017
How to set up a Hybrid Mobile App development environment!
Have you ever wanted to develop mobile apps using web technologies i.e HTML, CSS and Javascript? In fact, you might have tried but failed along the way after failing to set up your computer for the task. It has happened to many others simply because coding and setting up developer environments are two different games which require different skills.
In this post I have listing what you require and briefly suggest what you have to do to have each tool installed on your Windows computer. Though guideline is eccentric to Windows Operating Systems, it’s transferable to Mac OS and Linux.
Let’s get started!
- NODE.JS
Get Node.js

Install Node.js and add it to PATH environment variable ). Confirm installation by running $node –version at command line. I prefer using Windows shell instead of CMD. Because Windows shell executes some linux commands such as $ls.
- GIT
Install Git with default settings.
- CORDOVA
Installation

In Git Bash or Windows Shell execute the command below

$npm install -g cordava

Confirm installation by running

$cordova –version
- JAVA
  - Install Java Development Kit (JDK). From Oracle’s website download the Java Standard Edition (Java SE). Add the JDK’s installation path to the PATH environment variables. Usually the location is c:\Program Files\Java\jdk version\bin. Create a JAVA_HOME if it doesn’t exist, setting it’s value to c:\Program Files\Java\jdk version To confirm if all is well run javac -version.
- APACHE ANT
  - Install Apache ANT. (This is the build system for Java). I kept on failing until I discovered this was the missing piece in the puzzle. Search for it on google, download the zip file and unzip it whenever you want, noting the location. Proceed by adding the Apache ANT bin directory e.g c:\apache-ant\bin to the PATH environment variable and creating a ANT_HOME variable to which you assign the Apache ANT directory. e.g. c:\apache-ant. Now in Git Bash or command line tool of your choice run $ant -version
- ANDROID
  - Download and Install Android SDK by downloading Android Studio. Before we could install the Android SDK alone but it seems impossible now a days, maybe you or I should do more research about this. Add the Android SDK tools and the Android Platform tools to the path variable. Usually these are located at the SDK installation directory\tools and SDK installation directory\platform-tools.
  - Launch the SDK manager by running the command $android use may use it for downloading additional sdk, platform tools etc.
- TEST ENVIRONMENT
  - In command line of your choice. Run $adb -version.
Navigate to a directory of your choice and issue the cordava app creation command. i.e $cordova create app_directory com.domain.app AppTitle
- - Add android platforms to your app. At command line change directory to app_directory by running.
    
    $cd app_directory
    
    $cordova platform add android
  - Connect your phone will developer options and usb debugging are turned on.
    
    $cordova run android.
  - If phone does work for some reason you can try to install Universal Adb drivers or view your apps in the browser by running $cordova run browser.
Conclusion.

Knowing how to code is a good task, setting up the developer environment is another thing.
March 26, 2017
Why single board computers are expensive?

Like I defined earlier a single board computer, is just a circuit board without anything else. Just like a bare motherboard of a normal computer.
Without extra parts one can not run it. One if it’s advantage over a normal computer motherboard is it’s having inbuilt RAM, a Processor and being portable. Which can actually turnout to be disadvantageous, if one of the inbuilt parts fails, you would have to go back to shops and spend $35 again, if it was a Raspberry PI 3 board. This can be a negative challenge to low income earners from developing parts of the world like Uganda, East Africa.
The needed parts to run a single board computer as a functioning computer are, usually a 5v DC power adaptor, MicroSD memory card usually up to 128GB supported, a heatsink & cooling fun, a chassis, a keyboard, a mouse, an HDMI cable and display monitor.
Roughly all can cost $100 to $200, depending on where you buy them. And if you’re outside USA, Canada & U.K you may have to add shipping costs.
Let’s pause and ask ourselves a question, would this be affordable in Uganda and many parts of Africa?
Realistically, millions of families struggle to afford a $1 meal everyday, how could they afford $100+ for a gadget? Especially because they are ignorant about it, they will never know it’s relevance and impact potential.
If by chance, they afford, they would have to invest in electricity power, internet and learning.
Inconclusion.
Is a single board computer the solution to uplift & empower young African people? If the answer is no. Then what else? Could there be other ways through which we could get these gadgets, instead of buying them? Would it be possible, for us to run a crowdfund campaign raise some money and start materialising the vision.
The questions are many but for now let’s call it a day as I wait for your input.
Cheers!

November 13, 2016
Wow… can one board computers be this pretty?

For those following my posts, you could be aware about my desire to conceptualize the idea of helping every youth in Uganda to have access to a computer.
I know a little about law prohibiting importation of second hand/used laptops which would have been easier or cheaper for a non profit project, runing in a third world country but with vibrant people yarning for a chance to empowerment.
Of course it doesn’t mean they don’t come into the country but how and where they pass, a small dude wouldn’t want to take that chances!
Like the saying goes as some doors close others open. Recently I came across a single board computer, called a a Raspberry PI.
It’s a single board computer because it is a credit card size board, integrated with RAM, Wi-fi, 4 USB ports, Micro SD card slot, and HDMI port. I find it’s price of $35 friendly to the poor people who find it hard to make both ends meet but are highly enthusiastic about learning how to use computers. For that price one gets a tool he can use it type documents, surf internet, send emails, learn to code and be able play some games.
The Raspberry PI 3, inspired competitors such as the Banana PI, lattePanda and Orange PI to mention a few. The competitors have high end single board computers shipping with maximum of 4GB RAM and onboard eMMc storage. Mobile computing and internet of things is just getting easier.
For us who will run this project it puts us in a better position to segment our market and be able to serve them all well.
Take for example some audience would feel free to use Raspbian Os which is a linux distro but others would prefer windows. Thus the windows market will go for the Banana PI.
Ultimately, I would the single board computer, a computer of choice for schools, community empowerment initiatives, learners, hardware geeks, robotics, media center set ups and so much more.

November 6, 2016
How to create Web Applications using WordPress! Part 2

Before we left off, in the first article of the series about creating web applications using WordPress, I recommended to search and install some plugins. The plugins are to save us a lot of time of coding. Those plugins are Advanced Custom Fields and Custom Post Type UI, both free but with premium features to pay for if needed.
However is our class, we will not need any premium feature. It’s our zeal to develop something that will allow us the opportunity.
Looking at the web application we shall build.
It’s always good to plugin before developing anything that will used by people. Because what we are building must be a solution to a problem.
For this tutorial we shall develop a web application where we can store and retrieve book keeping records easily, without using a pen and book. So the basic features of our application will to record our budget, Cash out and Cash In. Since other people like friends and family could also be suffering with book keeping, we shall also allow anyone to register for an account on our system, allow them to login and able to record and retrieve their records.
Which means we need a user management system but WordPress has one already. All we need is to show a registration and login forms to the user.
For that case we need a plugin. But which is that among the many that exist! Before I mention and recommend I would like to hear your opinion.
Thanks for reading and contributing!

October 30, 2016
Good News: Equity bank and PayPal announcement to improve investment.

In a bid to improve their service for Kenya citizens PayPal and Equity Bank Kenya have just announced improvements in their service.
PayPal is an online (internet based) payment service originating from United States of America. PayPal helps individuals and business/organisations to send or receive payments across different countries of the world.
However not all PayPal features are available in to the citizens of every country. For example, the citizens of Kenya’s neighbor to the West “Uganda”, is able to use PayPal features such pay for goods and send payments but is not able receive payments and pay for goods.
This has been different for citizens in Kenya, especially for the Equity Bank customers and US bank account holders. Even though of recent funds withdrawn from PayPal wallet to Equity bank Kenya had to take 8 days ( more than a week) to be deposited on the bank account.
This announcement made by both financial giants confirm the reduction of this delay by 5 days, to bring the delay down to a maximum of 3 days.
This is means more cash flow for the I.T population which largely earns from online money making like blogging, working on upwork and other freelance platforms.
This moves is also a step forward towards increasing the chances of investment by the locals who earn online.
For instance, in 30 days, a earner of 100 USD online in a period of 10 days, will have access to 300 USD in cash feasible to be invested.

September 16, 2016
How to create Web Applications using WordPress! Part 1

WordPress powers over 24million websites online, and people are leveraging it’s simplistic to create amazingly life changing web applications, without spending much time on coding. In article I will teach you how to create Web Applications using WordPress, of course it will involve some coding but it will be easier than any code you have come across.
Assuming you know how to install WordPress, on your host or computer, install it and login afterwards.
Navigate to the plugins WordPress dashboard and install a plugin called Advanced Custom Fields and Custom Post Type UI
After installing them follow part 2 here.

August 15, 2016
Simplest WordPress plugins creation, Part 1.
There is no question WordPress is the most popular Content Management System, in the world of CMS possibly because of it’s simplistic and the free blog platform wordpress.com and support for several features; theming, plugins, widgets, media management and more being the most notable. I personally love SEO support that it comes with out of box.

WordPress.org has over 45k plugins!

Actually wordpress.org has ove 40,000 plugins and more are coming in. So why do I teach someone who to make a plugin? Simply because you may have an idea that is not yet executed though it could be useful to you and other WordPress users. So if you read this short tutorial and other parts, you will be able to do that whenever you want.
Tip: WordPress plugins can be monetized hence make some income for you.

Prerequisite knowledge you should have/know.

It’s important to check yourself for the technologies below.
- HTML, CSS & PHP knowledge (Must)
- Javascript/Jquery/Angular knowledge is a plus
- A text editor such as Notepad++, Brackets & Sublime, etc.
- A fully working WordPress installation, running on a local/private server. Testing on local(development) set up, is recommended in order not harm the website the visitors are viewing.
Step 1. In a folder of your choice, create a main PHP file of your plugin and name it. e.g my_plugin.php
For preview purposes, I suggest to create a folder, residing in the WordPress plugin folder.
Which is located at /wordpress_install_folder/wp-content/plugins
If you have xampp installed on your development machine, you have this folder in the path; c:/xampp/htdocs/wordpress_install_folder/wp-content/plugins
Step 2: Add plugin code to the file

a.Tell WordPress about your Plugin

A WordPress plugin begins with code that describes the plugin, they code is so helpful for installation, uninstall and management of the plugin. It also makes extending the plugin or updating it’s code easier. Such details include:- Plugin Name, Description, Tags, Author, Version, Author URI and etc. As a general rule of thumb this code goes at the start of the file, enclosed in comments.
Example:
/*
Plugin Name: My Plugin
Author: awebdesigner
Author URI: http://fictiontoactual.wordpress.com
Description: My Plugin is a cool plugin and it will print the date at the footer of website. For illustration purposes.
Version: 0.0.1
*/
b. Add code to do the real thing
add_action(‘wp_footer’,’print_date’);
function print_date(){
echo date(‘Y’);
}
Step 3: Compress and upload to server.
Let see it in action. Compress the plugin and upload it to your site.
Notice: Since WordPress is coded using PHP, it’s plugins supports everything PHP supports, includes, services, MYSQL etc. Don’t limit yourself.
What’s next? Improving the functionality of our WordPress Plugin by adding to the Admin Menu, integrating a form which saves something and display to the users.
July 2, 2016
Why get a credit card in Uganda?

Online(internet) wholesale and retail stores are increasing in the this third world country. With the launch of stores like Jumia.com, lamudi.com, ugunlocked.com, pesapal.com and etc… one would miss out on top quality affordable items if you didn’t have a credit card.
Take for example, on black Friday, Jumia featured a huge percentage discount on all their items bought via the online platform. Other days to watch out for are Christmas day, New years day and Easter season. In most cases wholesalers and retainers who sale traditionally have not adopted the discount culture, so many buyers would miss out. This is why I’m writing this article. I will give some reasons why everyone from Uganda needs a credit card and a guide of how to get one.

Access Money anywhere

The beauty about credit/debit cards is the convenience of access to your money anywhere in the world. Yes, everywhere where there is an Automated Teller Machine or Point of Sale. So if you want to withdrawal some cash go an ATM which has the labels of your card such labels can be American Express, Visa, Mastercard etc. If you want to purchase something in a store just swipe the card in the POS machine and you will be good to go. So whether it’s renewing insurance, paying for medicine, renewing utility back at home, you don’t need to travel back and forth. It’s just a card.

Setting up online presence.

Online presence is your address on the internet. Everyone in Uganda is steadily adapting to using a smart device, thanks to Facebook and WhatsApp. Many people being online everyday, means a big chance to put your business out there, it’s a sales opportunity. However to get a website, you must purchase a domain name and web hosting, the most convenient payment method for that is a credit card. Of course a friend who has maybe of help but that might add an extra cost, which you may want to avoid.

Purchase of goods and services

The generation we are now, you can buy a car, land, food and medicine; name it all just at a snap of a finger. Without moving out of your house or office and have your items delivered. Even if you can pay search services with Mobile Money solutions, for the costs of some products, the spending limit on Mobile Money services may hinder. But credit cards have a slightly higher spending limit.

Improve financial management

Most issuers of credit cards have an online portal where you go to check your transaction history which means you can access your banks statements at anytime of convenience. Actually this is very important for reviewing and evaluation of your spending habits. Traditional you would have to spare a couple of minutes, if not hours to line-up in a queue in the banking hall and still pay for the bank statement. The question is do you want to continue losing time or save time while increasing income?

HOW TO GET A CREDIT CARD IN UGANDA?

A while ago, it costed much more than $200 to quality for a credit/debit card in Uganda, this made it hard for many to afford. Today it’s as low as UGX 15000/= in addition to no monthly bank charges.
So far I have personally used two banks so the choice between the two is yours because I may not give reasons today why you should choose this or that.

United Bank of Africa

First bank to introduce a fully functional internet enabled prepaid card was United Bank of Africa(UBA). They issue a visa card in Uganda shilling currency in just a couple of minutes. All you have to go with is a passport photo, a valid ID and UGX 20,000/= or UGX 30,000/=. Since the debit card is not attached to a saving/current account the introduction and recommendation letters may not be compulsory but to be on safe side, I encourage you to go with one written and endorsed by your LC1 chairperson or teacher at school or employer or a person banking with UBA for at least 6 months. To know more click here

Equity bank Uganda

This bank has proven to have a slightly better online exchange rate compared to it’s competitors. Of late they also issue internet enabled visa cards, all you have to do is to apply for a savings account and apply for a visa card ATM. They will also issue it on the same day like UBA. They are need the same fees and documents as UBA to be in the position to give you this online prepaid card.

Other banks you can try.

Just in case you are not a fun of the above mentioned banks, try to Stanbic bank, Standard Chartered bank and Crane bank.
Good luck

June 23, 2016