M7 Launches UGs first phone

[Meria]

Statement from M7
Today, I commissioned Uganda's first mobile phone and computer manufucting and assembling factory in Namanve Industrial Park, Wakiso District.

SIMI Mobile, which is owned by ENGO Holdings Uganda Ltd, at full capacity will produce 2,000 feature phones, 1,500 smart phones, 800 laptops, 2,000 chargers, 4,000 USB cables and 4,000 ear-phone sets.

I thank the government of China and its investors for supporting us. These Chinese are not jealous, they wish us well. This factory will significantly bring down the cost of mobile phones and computers in Uganda.
When this factory attains full capacity production, it will be prudent for the government to support them by increasing tax on imported phones. We must support our local manufacturers. We shall also lobby the regional market for these products.
The government will also buy their walkie-talkies when they finally begin manufacturing. I congratulate everyone and every agency involved in making this milestone possible.

 

[Tiger Bone]

Huku Kenya wimbo ni BBI TU!

 

[Bolo Yeung]

Okay why is a chinese dude in the picture? the reality is that this is not a ugandan phone it's a chinese phone. The components are made in china alafu mwafrika anakuja anaambiwa unganisha hizi wire, basically assembling, this is a mockery in itself. When africans will be competent enough to manufacture their own silicon chips and other hardware components that's when they can take pride in their own phones, this is just bullshit. Most of the rare metals used in the manufacture of chips come from africa. The same goes for the so called rwandese phone, kenyan taifa laptops and even mobius, just plumbing things together and giving them a badge isn't shit.

 

[Bolo Yeung]

Alafu hio simu inakaa feature phone, a very basic phone

 

[Magreb]

Okay why is a chinese dude in the picture? the reality is that this is not a ugandan phone it's a chinese phone. The components are made in china alafu mwafrika anakuja anaambiwa unganisha hizi wire, basically assembling, this is a mockery in itself. When africans will be competent enough to manufacture their own silicon chips and other hardware components that's when they can take pride in their own phones, this is just bullshit. Most of the rare metals used in the manufacture of chips come from africa. The same goes for the so called rwandese phone, kenyan taifa laptops and even mobius, just plumbing things together and giving them a badge isn't shit.

At least they are trying. Huku kwetu investor asipoleta kiinua mgongo ya wakubwa, Hata factory ya toothpicks hawezi set up. BBI and 2022 are more important to us.

 

[MbitikaZetu]

1. It's a Chinese phone, assembled in Uganda.
2. Hiyo ni kabambe na SAA hii tuko in the age of highly advanced smartphones.

 

[Duke of Busia]

Uhuru still has no idea why we're broke

 

[Nostradumbass]

Uhuru still has no idea why we're broke

Mnataka Ganja 1 afanye nini jameni??

 

[Magreb]

Kenya tutaendelea the day that 74 year old mchawi atakufa. Sijataja Mtu.

Your ilk told us that maisha itakuwa sawa provided Raila haingi state house. How did it change to be contingent on his death now?

 

[Aviator]

At least the assembly unit will employ several hundreds/thousands of Ugandans.
Hapa Kenya ni layoffs every day. And the fact that such companies are preferring Uganda over Kenya speaks volumes. Sisi ni Arimis ya 30kgs tunyoroshwe proper.

 

[Ubongo]

1. It's a Chinese phone, assembled in Uganda.
2. Hiyo ni kabambe na SAA hii tuko in the age of highly advanced smartphones.

First ,observe it from creation of employment

 

[Magreb]

Okay why is a chinese dude in the picture? the reality is that this is not a ugandan phone it's a chinese phone. The components are made in china alafu mwafrika anakuja anaambiwa unganisha hizi wire, basically assembling, this is a mockery in itself. When africans will be competent enough to manufacture their own silicon chips and other hardware components that's when they can take pride in their own phones, this is just bullshit. Most of the rare metals used in the manufacture of chips come from africa. The same goes for the so called rwandese phone, kenyan taifa laptops and even mobius, just plumbing things together and giving them a badge isn't shit.

Yours is a moot point. Boeing sources for parts from all over the world to build their planes. Look at the new jobs created, transfer of technology and need for support services.

 

[Nattydread]

Okay why is a chinese dude in the picture? the reality is that this is not a ugandan phone it's a chinese phone. The components are made in china alafu mwafrika anakuja anaambiwa unganisha hizi wire, basically assembling, this is a mockery in itself. When africans will be competent enough to manufacture their own silicon chips and other hardware components that's when they can take pride in their own phones, this is just bullshit. Most of the rare metals used in the manufacture of chips come from africa. The same goes for the so called rwandese phone, kenyan taifa laptops and even mobius, just plumbing things together and giving them a badge isn't shit.

What stupid arguments are these? You're telling us that manufacturing is useless unless one always invents the product. That means that GM assembling Isuzu trucks in Kenya is wrong.

FYI, China grew big by assembling.

 

[Bolo Yeung]

Yours is a moot point. Boeing sources for parts from all over the world to build their planes. Look at the new jobs created, transfer of technology and need for support services.

What stupid arguments are these? You're telling us that manufacturing is useless unless one always invents the product. That means that GM assembling Isuzu trucks in Kenya is wrong.

FYI, China grew big by assembling.

There is no security in these jobs created by assembly shops, it's just cheap labor, these same jobs are being replaced by automation and robotics, as regard technical expertise you can't compare assembling a plane to assembling a mobile phone or a truck. The technical expetise and interlectual rights are usually maintained by the manufacturers of the parts and that's where the power is, thus the people assembling are just cheap labor. I understand that creating jobs is important but looking at the bigger picture an assembly setup without innovation is of no benefit.

 

[Anglututu]

There is no security in these jobs created by assembly shops, it's just cheap labor, these same jobs are being replaced by automation and robotics, as regard technical expertise you can't compare assembling a plane to assembling a mobile phone or a truck. The technical expetise and interlectual rights are usually maintained by the manufacturers of the parts and that's where the power is, thus the people assembling are just cheap labor. I understand that creating jobs is important but looking at the bigger picture an assembly setup without innovation is of no benefit.

One step at a time buddy, from this a smart dude may come up with his own after learning the expertise.
What more is there to be invented by the way, that hasn't been yet?
Most are just applications and adjustments to existing inventions.

 

[Bolo Yeung]

One step at a time buddy, from this a smart dude may come up with his own after learning the expertise.
What more is there to be invented by the way, that hasn't been yet?
Most are just applications and adjustments to existing inventions.

That's why i mentioned innovation, i agree that someone has to start somewhere but my only gripe is that the system is set up in a way that doesn't allow innovation, for instance do you think those assembling will be taught how a chip works and how to modify them, they are taught enough to make them useful but not too much to enable them to tinker with the devices and to innovate hence making them reliant on the source of the components. It might look good from a development perspective but it provides little empowerment, if the chinese could provide clean room facilities and train on how to create integrated circuits that would be true progress.

 

[Nattydread]

There is no security in these jobs created by assembly shops, it's just cheap labor, these same jobs are being replaced by automation and robotics, as regard technical expertise you can't compare assembling a plane to assembling a mobile phone or a truck. The technical expetise and interlectual rights are usually maintained by the manufacturers of the parts and that's where the power is, thus the people assembling are just cheap labor. I understand that creating jobs is important but looking at the bigger picture an assembly setup without innovation is of no benefit.

So, what is your practical solution for Uganda's jobless?

 

[Magreb]

There is no security in these jobs created by assembly shops, it's just cheap labor, these same jobs are being replaced by automation and robotics, as regard technical expertise you can't compare assembling a plane to assembling a mobile phone or a truck. The technical expetise and interlectual rights are usually maintained by the manufacturers of the parts and that's where the power is, thus the people assembling are just cheap labor. I understand that creating jobs is important but looking at the bigger picture an assembly setup without innovation is of no benefit.

Kizungu mingi. What should be done instead?

 

[Anglututu]

That's why i mentioned innovation, i agree that someone has to start somewhere but my only gripe is that the system is set up in a way that doesn't allow innovation, for instance do you think those assembling will be taught how a chip works and how to modify them, they are taught enough to make them useful but not too much to enable them to tinker with the devices and to innovate hence making them reliant on the source of the components. It might look good from a development perspective but it provides little empowerment, if the chinese could provide clean room facilities and train on how to create integrated circuits that would be true progress.

That's our government effort not the Chinese, take students to learn course related to chips and all.
That can't be given the way we're debating here.
For now, we have to make do with assembly.

 

[wrongturn]

Okay why is a chinese dude in the picture? the reality is that this is not a ugandan phone it's a chinese phone. The components are made in china alafu mwafrika anakuja anaambiwa unganisha hizi wire, basically assembling, this is a mockery in itself. When africans will be competent enough to manufacture their own silicon chips and other hardware components that's when they can take pride in their own phones, this is just bullshit. Most of the rare metals used in the manufacture of chips come from africa. The same goes for the so called rwandese phone, kenyan taifa laptops and even mobius, just plumbing things together and giving them a badge isn't shit.

i think you've no idea about electronic manufacturing nowadays, mostly is just assembling of components, even apple, samsung etc even though they manufacture some components, they also import and assemble others, so don't despise what is being done in Uganda or Rwanda, at least they are getting taxes and employment.