Still reading out your personal number to customers every time they want to pay you? MTN Uganda solved this with the MTN MoMoPay Merchant Code system, also known as My Business Wallet, Till Number or simply MTN Merchant.

With an MTN MoMoPay Merchant account, businesses and companies of all sizes can receive, transact, and keep business money separate from personal mobile money wallets.

This guide walks you through the steps to register for an MTN MoMoPay Merchant account; explains the difference between Formal and Informal merchants; outlines the exact requirements you need before applying; and explains how to activate and use your merchant code once approved.

#1. How To Get an MTN Merchant Code (Informal Merchant)
Informal merchants are generally intended for small and medium businesses, such as clinics, boutiques, restaurants, retail shops or food vendors. These Nano accounts have a wallet capacity capped at UGX 20 million, with a maximum single-transaction limit of UGX 5 million. These limits are the same as those for a regular MTN Mobile Money account.

Nevertheless, you can register for an Informal MTN MoMo Merchant account yourself in under 5 minutes. Be sure you don’t have any unpaid debts on your line.

Using USSD Codes
Dial *165*17# or *155# on your MTN Uganda line.
Select option 1 (Proceed)

Select the Nature of Business from the options:
1) Restaurant/Hotel
2) Health
3) Supermarket & Retail
4) Agriculture
5) Hardware & Spare Parts
6) Boda Boda
7) Other (enter the nature of your Business if not listed).
Enter your mobile money PIN to accept the MoMoPay Terms and Conditions.

Account creation will be confirmed with an 8-digit merchant code/ID sent to you via SMS inside the “MTNMobileMoney” message thread.

Using the MTN MoMo Onboarding Site
You can also register an informal MTN MoMoPay Merchant through the MTN MoMo Business Onboarding Portal website. Select Informal business > Individual to fill out details.

Unlike the USSD option, this method requires more information, including copies of the front and back of your National ID, your Passport/NIN number, email address and physical address.

#2. How To Get an MTN Merchant Code (Formal Merchant)
Corporate/Formal MTN MoMo Merchants are designed for registered businesses, companies, institutions, and high-volume businesses. Formal Merchants are ideal for entities transacting over UGX 5 million per transaction, with the capacity to process and hold volumes above UGX 20 million.

While you can also register a Formal Merchant via the MTN MoMo Business Onboarding Portal, we recommend contacting MTN Uganda or MTN MoMo directly for clear guidance through the registration process.

You can contact them through their official channels or via MTN WhatsApp (+256772123100), explicitly stating your intent to register for a Formal MTN MoMoPay account. In some instances, you may be required to fill out a Google form.

An MTN representative will then contact you, verify their identity, and guide you through the steps. You will be required to submit a copy of the following, or more, supporting documents:

Certificate of Incorporation
Company Form 18
Company Form 20
TIN certificate
Trading licence
Proof of a Business bank account.

You’ll also need to provide a screenshot confirming payment of the company “Search Fee” of UGX 25,100. Rest assured, your assigned MTN representative will walk you through exactly how to make this payment.

Once your application is fully processed (usually within 24 to 48 hours), you will be requested to visit the MTN MoMo Headquarters in Kampala, or your nearest upcountry service centre, to pick up a brand-new corporate SIM card registered under your company’s name.

Activating Corporate/Formal MTN MoMo Merchant Account
Insert the newly issued corporate SIM card into your phone, dial *155#, and follow the prompts to activate your formal MTN MoMoPay Merchant account. Use *155# or *165*3# to manage your Formal Merchant Account.

Once activated, you’ll receive a confirmation SMS with your 6-digit MoMoPay merchant code/ID.

Other MTN MoMo Merchant? Follow the Formal Merchant steps to get a merchant account for an NGO, church, charity, or SACCOS.

Who isn’t using merchant payment codes these days? From local retail shops to upscale boutiques, churches, mosques, NGOs and even politicians, people are adopting merchant codes to collect mobile money payments.

Why? Among many, it’s a simple way to receive payments without reading out your phone number, eleeta manya ki?

Whether you’re registering as a Micro or Formal merchant, this guide walks you through getting and activating an Airtel Money Pay merchant code, also known as a Merchant ID, AM Pay or a till number. I’ve also included a few features you might not know about.

#1. How to get an Airtel Money Pay Merchant Code (Micro Merchant)
The Micro/informal merchants are probably the most advertised. Because this option is open to every subscriber with an active Airtel line, you can create your informal Airtel Money Pay merchant code in under 5 minutes without visiting an Airtel service centre

Dial *185*10*10# on your Airtel Uganda line
Enter your business name. (Max 20 characters)
Enter 1 to accept the terms and conditions
Enter your Airtel Money PIN to confirm the registration.

Shortly, you’ll receive an SMS in your AirtelMoney message thread with your 7-digit merchant code.

That’s it! Your Airtel Money Pay is ready to use.

Need the Airtel Money Pay display printouts? Contact Airtel customer support or visit a service centre.

How To Access Your Airtel Money Pay Account
Once your activation is confirmed, you can manage your Airtel Money Pay account through the Airtel Money USSD menu or the Airtel app.

Through *185#
Dial *185#, and you’ll see a new option:

11. Biz Wallet

Select option 11 (Biz Wallet) to access options:
1. Withdraw Cash
2. Payments
3. Biz Account

Through the Airtel App
Open the Airtel App and select the Airtel Money section from the bottom menu. To the right of your Airtel Money balance, you’ll see a new widget to manage your Airtel Money Pay. Here, just like the USSD menu, you can check your balance, withdraw cash, or make payments.

How Much Money Can an Informal Airtel Money Pay Hold?
An informal merchant has a single-transaction limit of UGX 5 million, while the maximum balance is UGX 20 million.

These limits apply to your business and personal Airtel Money wallets combined. For example, if your Airtel Money Pay account already holds UGX 20 million, your personal Airtel Money wallet cannot receive more money until the balance falls below the limit.

Despite these limits, an informal merchant code is incredibly handy for keeping your business and personal money separate. Great for small businesses like food vendors, rolex, salons, retail shops and boda bodas.

Are Airtel Money Pay Merchant safe?
Yes. Just like your standard Airtel Money wallet, keeping your merchant account secure starts with protecting your 4-digit Airtel Money PIN.

Interestingly, if your business has several branches, you can add up to 4 additional till IDs under your main merchant ID, which acts as the parent till. Each branch gets its own child Merchant ID to receive and confirm customer payments, but cannot cash out or make payments; only the parent till holds that authority.

How To Add a Branch Till
From the parent merchant line:
Dial *185*11#
Select 3 (Biz Account)
Select 3 (Till Manager)
Select 1 (New Till)
Follow the prompts to add the branch number.

The number (MSISDN) you add must be registered in the same name as the parent merchant account and have a zero balance. Once added, it receives its own Merchant ID.

How To Pull Money from a Branch Till
Only the parent till can pull funds from its branch till:
Dial *185*11#
Select 1
Select 3 (Pull Funds from Tills)
Follow the prompts.

#2. How to Get an Airtel Money Pay Merchant Code (Formal Merchant)
Unlike a Micro merchant, a Formal Airtel Money merchant account is designed for fully registered businesses and organisations such as large companies, NGOs, and mega-churches that collect substantial volumes of money.

Getting a Formal Airtel Money Pay merchant code is more involved than registering as a Micro merchant. You may need to visit an Airtel service centre or submit the required documents through an Airtel agent.

Documents Required for a Formal Airtel Money Pay
You may be asked to provide a copy of the:
Certificate of Incorporation or Registration
Memorandum and Articles of Association, Partnership Deed, Constitution or equivalent
Statement of Particulars of Directors (Form 20/7)
Company Form 18 or LC letter
Valid Trading Licence or equivalent
Directors’ National IDs for Ugandans or passports for foreigners
TIN Certificate.
With all required documents, the merchant code can be issued within a day.

A Formal merchant account is managed separately from your personal Airtel number, with its own merchant number starting with 0709… and registered under a business or company name, to which the merchant ID is assigned.

A formal merchant account allows for a significantly larger maximum balance. While you can make payments and send money to another merchant directly, withdrawing funds requires a business bank account.

When managing child/branch merchant lines, a Formal merchant can add as many sub-merchant lines as possible.

Following its ‘Events and Shine’ event on 9 September 2026, Apple announced another major change to its services: the rollout of a new iCloud+ bundle across over 100 countries, largely outside its traditional major markets such as the US, UK, and Canada.

Among the 100+ markets, mainly across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, is Uganda, where iCloud+ subscribers can now access Apple TV and Apple Arcade at no additional cost, as part of their iCloud subscription.

Rolling out through September 2026, this new arrangement gives Apple users in covered markets access to cloud storage, Apple’s streaming service and its gaming platform under one iCloud+ subscription. The entry-level plan starts at $0.99 per month (roughly UGX 4,000) for 50GB in countries like Uganda and Kenya, although pricing varies by country.

Users on higher iCloud+ storage tiers also get Apple TV and Apple Arcade at no additional cost, provided they are in one of the supported 100+ markets.

What does the $0.99 new iCloud Bundle include?
With the new bundle, Apple customers in eligible markets get;

50GB of iCloud storage on the entry-level plan
Apple TV and Apple Arcade
Hide My Email and Custom Email Domain
HomeKit Secure Video Support for one camera
Apple Invites Features
Sharing the iCloud+ plan with up to 5 family members.

Note: The iCloud+ bundle with Apple TV and Apple Arcade is not a free trial. Instead, both services are included for free in the iCloud+ subscription within eligible markets.

As part of the change, Apple TV is expanding to 59 new countries and will become available in 170 countries globally.

How to Subscribe to the new iCloud+ Bundle in Uganda
On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > [Your name] > iCloud and select your preferred plan. Once you’re subscribed, you can enjoy Apple TV and Apple Arcade at no extra charge.

Existing iCloud+ subscribers in eligible markets do not need to buy separate Apple TV or Arcade subscriptions. Apple confirmed that these users will automatically gain access to both services at no extra fee. Existing iCloud+ subscribers can check eligibility via Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions > iCloud+.

Here are the other markets getting Apple TV and Apple Arcade with iCloud+:

Africa: Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Eswatini, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Tunisia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Asia & Middle East: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bhutan, Georgia, India, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Lebanon, Maldives, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, and Yemen.

Europe: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Ukraine.

Caribbean: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Turks and Caicos.

Central and South America: Belize, Guyana, and Suriname.

Oceania: Fiji, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu.

Every Techtember, an interesting pattern unfolds in Kampala. While some buyers in targeted markets such as the US and UK face weeks of shipping delays, local phone dealers, say shops at Kooki Tower and Pioneer Mall, are already snapping, as in Snapchat, with the latest iPhone on their display just 24 to 48 hours after its release.

With the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max globally launching this Friday, 18 September 2026, here is how Ugandan phone dealers make sure their customers get their phones as early as possible: “I was the first person to get the iPhone 18 Pro Max in Uganda”

The First 5-10 Minutes of Pre-Orders
The race starts almost a week before launch day. For instance, when Apple opened pre-orders for the iPhone 18 series on Saturday, 12 September, Ugandan phone dealers, through agents in first-wave markets such as Dubai and the UK, were ready.

The trick is to pre-order within the first 5 to 10 minutes and secure the earliest available delivery slots. These first orders arrive on launch day, Friday 18 September, while pre-orders placed even an hour after pre-orders open may be pushed to later delivery dates, from 25 September onwards or even 2 to 4 weeks later, depending on the model, stock and demand.

The Dubai-to-Kampala Pipeline
Once the phones are in the hands of the agents on Friday morning, the race moves from Apple’s website to the airport.

To beat the clock, agents or trusted travellers flying from Dubai or Europe to Entebbe carry the phones in their luggage. Some dealers may also use fast air-freight services to get the stock to Uganda overnight.

For most phone dealers in Uganda, Dubai is likely the preferred choice because it is a first-wave launch market with direct flights to Entebbe taking roughly 5 hours. In some cases, the agent can book a flight before receiving the phones, then head straight to the airport once the iPhones are delivered to their doorstep or collected from an Apple Store en route.

From Entebbe to Kampala
If everything lines up, phones collected on Friday can reach Entebbe on Friday night or Saturday. After clearance, they are moved to Kampala within minutes, allowing dealers to have them ready for customers by Saturday or Sunday.

This explains why you’ll find the likes of Lynda Ddane and Sheila Gashumba at Four Points in Kampala holding an iPhone released less than 24 hours ago.

That speed, however, comes at a cost. Launch-week iPhones can sell for almost twice the overseas launch price once the costs and dealer’s margin are factored in.

The phones target customers willing to pay a premium to be among the first users in the country, with some paying a deposit or the full amount from the day Apple unveils it.

Just when you think you’ve said all there is to say about unsolicited promotional messages, you take a closer look and realise the annoyance goes beyond simply receiving one too many texts.

Before writing this piece, I took some time to scout users’ public complaints, and yo! The nag goes beyond promotional message alerts interrupting your concentration or chiming your phone when you’re expecting a Mobile Money message. Some users say the messages have become so frequent that they clutter their inbox, making it harder to find the messages they actually need.

Some of the users report that promotional messages can be so frequent that they clutter their inbox, making it harder to trace the messages they actually need.

That can be frustrating!

So, if you’re using MTN Uganda and want to stop those promotional messages and alerts without putting your phone on Do Not Disturb, you’re in the right place.

How to Block MTN Uganda Promotional Messages
Dial *196# on your MTN Uganda line for the following SMS-related alert options:

1 MTN Subscription Service
2 MTN Messages
3 MTN Rewards
4 Subscription Alerts
5 Allow All
6 Status
7 Block All

Now, before you opt for Block All, keep in mind that some of the options above may still be important to you. Here is what each one covers.

Option 1 (MTN Subscription Service) covers MTN CRBT messages related to Caller Ring Back Tones.

Option 2 (MTN Messages) contains options, listed below, allowing you to block or allow specific types of message alerts. You can also access this menu directly by dialling *196*2#, then replying with the corresponding digit to block or allow each category individually.

1 MTN Promo
2 MTN Info
3 MTN Services
4 MTN Devices
5 MTN Products
6 MTN Mobile Money
7 MTN Business
8 MTN Staff

We don’t advise blocking Option 4 (Subscription Alerts). These alerts ensure you receive important notifications related to your subscriptions, such as data and call bundles, as well as other services you have subscribed to.

Note! Choose carefully. Block the wrong category, and you could also stop receiving service messages you actually need.

Starlink is now available in Uganda, with monthly personal plans starting at UGX 203,704. But before you can use the service, you need to buy a Starlink hardware kit.

Here is the cost of using Starlink in Uganda, including monthly internet service subscription plans, hardware costs, regulatory and shipping fees and how to place an order.

Starlink Monthly Subscription Plans in Uganda
For personal users, Starlink currently offers two plans in Uganda: Residential Lite and Residential.

Starlink Hardware Kit Prices in Uganda
Starlink currently offers two hardware options for personal users in Uganda: The Standard Kit and the Mini Kit.

The Standard Kit is larger and comes with a separate Wi-Fi router that you place inside the house. The Mini Kit is smaller and has its router built into the dish.

The one-time total doesn’t cover installation and the monthly internet service subscription.

In summary, budget about UGX 1.86 million upfront for the Mini Kit or UGX 2.30 million for the Standard Kit. Your first monthly subscription is charged separately, 7 days after activation or delivery, whichever comes first.

How To Order Starlink in Uganda
To order Starlink, go to starlink.com/ug and select “Get Started.”

Enter your location, select a hardware kit (Standard or Mini) and your preferred monthly subscription, then proceed to “Checkout.”

On the checkout page, provide the required details: name, email address, phone number and delivery address. A TIN is also requested, though optional.

Enter your payment method; you can use Airtel Money, MTN Mobile Money, Visa or Mastercard. After entering the details, accept the terms and conditions and select “Place Order” to complete the purchase.

Must-Know Details Before Ordering Starlink in Uganda
The first internet service monthly subscription is not included in the initial order.

Once you place your order, Starlink creates an account you can use with the Starlink app, while updates and other information are sent by email.

The courier company (listed here) also sends an email once the order is placed and provides updates as the shipment moves.

Orders can take up to 10 days to reach Uganda. Once the order arrives in Kampala, the courier may hand it over to a local courier for delivery to districts distant from Kampala. No additional charges are incurred.

YouTube is changing how the platform counts public views across its video formats. From 24 August 2026, a public view will be counted as soon as a video starts playing, from the first frame.

On 17 August 2026, across all its platforms, YouTube confirmed that the update will retire the public view-counting methods previously used across formats, including the minimum 30-second watch time plus intentional playback system for standard videos and the separate Engaged views metric for YouTube Shorts.

The new view count method will apply globally to long-form videos, live streams, Shorts and other video formats. According to YouTube, the unified view count will give creators a clearer picture of their overall exposure on the platform and make it easier to confidently express their reach and value to brand partners and sponsors.

Will the New View Count Affect YouTube Creator Revenue?
No! YouTube says the change will not affect creator earnings or eligibility for the YouTube Partner Programme (YPP).

Impact on Channel Analytics & Performance
YouTube will keep “Engaged views” in YouTube Analytics’ Advanced Mode, showing how many viewers continued watching after the video started.

In summary, starting 24 August 2026, creators may see an increase in their public view counts, but a higher view count will not necessarily mean viewers watched more of the video. Engaged views, watch time, and audience retention will remain important metrics for measuring viewer engagement and content preference.

It’s real! The frustration of trying to relax after a long day, or even just starting your morning, only to have your phone chime with another “Save up to 30% with Airtel Uganda…” message. It’s even worse when you are anxiously waiting for a payment on your Mobile Money, only to be greeted by another promotion!

Luckily, there’s a way to stop those promotional messages on your Airtel Uganda line without having to enable Do Not Disturb.

How to Block Airtel Uganda Promotional Messages
Step 1: Dial *196# on your Airtel Uganda line
Step 2: Select your preferred language: 1 for English or 2 for Luganda

You will then see the following SMS-related options:
1 End of Call Alert
2 Promotional Messages
3 Missed Call/SMS
4 Stop All SMS
5 Allow All SMS

Step 3: For this guide, select 2 for Promotional Messages.
Step 4: Select 1 to stop promotional messages or 2 to allow them again.

Once you select 1 to stop Promotional Messages, Airtel will confirm your request with the message. “You will no longer receive any messages from Airtel or our partners. Thank you.” And that’s it!

Note: Stopping promotional messages using option 2 won’t affect your Mobile Money transaction alerts, subscription notifications, or SMS messages sent directly to you by other people.

Want to receive them again? Dial *196# again and use the same menu.

10 August 2026 – YouTube is raising the requirements for creators who want to earn money from YouTube ads and YouTube Premium revenue through the YouTube Partner Program (YPP).

Starting 1 February 2027, to monetise a YouTube channel, new creators will need:
1,000 YouTube subscribers
8,000 valid public watch hours from long-form videos in the previous 12 months, or
20 million valid YouTube Shorts views within 90 days.

The new thresholds double YouTube’s current requirements of 4,000 watch hours or 10 million Shorts views.

The changes will also affect creators already in the YouTube Partner Program. To continue earning revenue from YouTube Shorts, they will need to maintain 10 million valid Shorts views within a rolling 90-day period. Channels that fall below the threshold will remain in YPP and can continue earning from long-form videos. Shorts revenue sharing will resume automatically once their views rise above the threshold again.

YouTube says creators who already earn significant revenue from Shorts are unlikely to be affected.

The lower YPP tier will remain unchanged. Creators can still qualify for fan-funding and shopping features with 500 subscribers, three public uploads within 90 days, and either 3,000 valid watch hours in the last 12 months or 3 million valid Shorts views in the last 90 days. However, this tier will not allow creators to earn money from ads or YouTube Premium views.

In summary, starting 1 February 2027, reaching 1,000 subscribers alone won’t be enough. Creators will need 8,000 watch hours or 20 million Shorts views to qualify for advertising and YouTube Premium revenue, while existing Shorts earners will need to maintain 10 million views over 90 days to continue earning from Shorts.

Listing all iPhones in order of release and highlighting each model’s key features and commonly raised issues, this compilation draws primarily on information from credible tech websites, Reddit and YouTube reviews by channels such as MKBHD, Mrwhosetheboss, Unbox Therapy, and JerryRigEverything.

June 2007 – iPhone 2G: Apple’s first smartphone, the first-generation iPhone, introduced multi-touch and changed the industry. Issue: No App Store, no 3G, slow EDGE internet, no video recording, limited storage, and battery replacement required professional service.

July 2008 – iPhone 3G: It had 3G connectivity and the App Store. Issue: Noticeably slow performance on iOS 4, weak camera, plastic back prone to cracking, and limited RAM for frequent app reloads.

June 2009 – iPhone 3GS: Improved speed and introduced video recording. Issue: Battery degraded over time, overheating during heavy use, and later iOS versions noticeably reduced overall responsiveness.

June 2010 – iPhone 4: Introduced the Retina display and premium glass design. Issue: “Antennagate” caused signal loss when held a certain way, while the glass front and back shattered easily.

October 2011 – iPhone 4S: The iPhone 4s introduced Siri and a faster processor. Issue: Battery life disappointed many users, and some experienced Wi-Fi or Bluetooth hardware failures after extended use.

September 2012 – iPhone 5: Larger display with a thinner aluminium body and Lightning port. Issue: Scuff-prone black finish, weak battery, and power button failures became common over time.

September 2013 – iPhone 5c: Colourful plastic version of the iPhone 5. Issue: Plastic body scratched easily, lower resale value, and limited storage options.

September 2013 – iPhone 5s: iPhone 5s introduced Touch ID and the 64-bit A7 chip. Issue: Battery ageing became noticeable, Touch ID occasionally failed after wear, and only 1GB RAM limited future performance.

September 2014 – iPhone 6: Launched with a thinner design and a larger display. Issue: “Bendgate” raised durability concerns, including “Touch Disease” touchscreen failures after repeated bending.

September 2014 – iPhone 6 Plus: First large-screen iPhone. Issue: More susceptible to bending than the iPhone 6, more prone to Touch Disease.

September 2015 – iPhone 6s: Stronger aluminium and 3D Touch debuted. Issue: Early batteries were recalled due to unexpected shutdowns, and base model storage started at a restrictive 16GB.

September 2015 – iPhone 6s Plus: Large display with optical image stabilisation. Issue: Heavy design, battery degradation over time, and expensive display repairs after accidental drops.

March 2016 – iPhone SE (1st Generation): Compact body with iPhone 6s performance. Issue: Small battery, tiny 4-inch display by modern standards, and ageing camera hardware.

September 2016 – iPhone 7: Removed the headphone jack and added water resistance. Issue: Audio IC hardware fault caused microphone failure, greyed-out speakerphone, and Voice Memos to stop working. The non-clickable Home button on iPhone 7 took users time to get used to.

September 2016 – iPhone 7 Plus: Dual-camera system introduced Portrait Mode. Issue: Audio IC failures, large size, and noticeable battery degradation after years of use.

September 2017 – iPhone 8: Wireless charging arrived with a glass back. Issue: Glass cracked easily, increasing repair costs, while the design felt outdated beside the iPhone X, launched at the same event.

September 2017 – iPhone 8 Plus: Large display with improved cameras. Issue: Heavy build, fragile glass back, and thick bezels compared with newer edge-to-edge designs.

November 2017 – iPhone X: Introduced Face ID and the notch. Issue: Expensive OLED display repairs, occasional green line display defects, and Face ID failures after certain hardware damage.

October 2018 – iPhone XR: Single camera with excellent battery life. Issue: The LCD wasn’t as sharp as OLED models, the thick bezels looked dated, and the lack of a telephoto camera limited optical zoom. iPhone XR felt less premium than the XS and XS Max.

September 2018 – iPhone XS: Refined iPhone X with improved cameras and performance. Issue: Battery life was average, OLED replacement costs remained high, and Intel modem reception drew criticism.

September 2018 – iPhone XS Max: Apple’s first 6.5-inch iPhone, featuring the largest display and premium OLED screen at launch. Issue: Expensive repairs, occasional connectivity complaints, and its large, heavy design made one-handed use difficult.

September 2019 – iPhone 11: Introduced the A13 Bionic, dual cameras, and excellent battery life. Issue: LCD lacked OLED sharpness, thick bezels looked dated, and no telephoto camera made it feel less premium.

September 2019 – iPhone 11 Pro: Added a triple-camera system and 5.8-inch OLED display. Issue: Expensive at launch, average battery life compared with the Pro Max, and the notch remained unchanged.

September 2019 – iPhone 11 Pro Max: Largest and longest-lasting iPhone of 2019 with a 6.5-inch OLED display. Issue: Heavy design, high repair costs, and premium pricing limited its appeal.

April 2020 – iPhone SE (2nd generation): Combined the A13 chip with the classic iPhone 8 design. Issue: Small battery, thick bezels, single camera, and ageing design felt outdated beside newer iPhones.

October 2020 – iPhone 12: Introduced the flat-edge redesign with an OLED display. Issue: 60Hz display felt outdated, average battery life, and no telephoto camera.

October 2020 – iPhone 12 Pro: Added LiDAR, improved cameras, and premium stainless steel. Issue: Heavy build, 60Hz display disappointed many buyers, and upgrades over iPhone 12 were modest.

November 2020 – iPhone 12 mini: Apple’s smallest modern iPhone at the time. The iPhone 12 lineup introduced 5G, MagSafe, and the A14 Bionic chip. Issue: Battery life was noticeably shorter than other iPhone 12 models, limiting heavy daily use.

November 2020 – iPhone 12 Pro Max: Featured Apple’s largest camera sensor and best battery life. Issue: Very large and heavy, making one-handed use difficult and repairs expensive.

September 2021 – iPhone 13 mini: Improved battery life while keeping the compact design. Issue: Small display and shorter battery life than larger models.

September 2021 – iPhone 13: Larger battery and improved dual cameras. Issue: Still limited to a 60Hz display, making scrolling feel less smooth than Pro models.

September 2021 – iPhone 13 Pro: Introduced ProMotion 120Hz and a smaller notch. Issue: Heavy stainless-steel frame and expensive repairs remained common complaints.

September 2021 – iPhone 13 Pro Max: Combined ProMotion with exceptional battery life. Issue: Large, heavy design reduced comfort during extended one-handed use.

March 2022 – iPhone SE (3rd generation): Added the A15 chip and 5G to the classic design. Issue: Outdated bezels, small battery, and single camera struggled to justify its ageing appearance.

September 2022 – iPhone 14: Introduced Crash Detection and Emergency SOS via satellite. Issue: Nearly identical to the iPhone 13, with few meaningful hardware improvements.

October 2022 – iPhone 14 Plus: Offered a large display without Pro pricing. Issue: 60Hz display, no telephoto camera, and weak sales due to limited upgrades.

September 2022 – iPhone 14 Pro: Introduced Dynamic Island, Always-On Display, and the 48MP camera. Issue: Battery health degraded faster for some users, and the phone remained heavy.

September 2022 – iPhone 14 Pro Max: Combined Apple’s best cameras with good battery life. Issue: Heavy design, expensive repairs, and occasional reports of display burn-in over time.

September 2023 – iPhone 15: Added USB-C and the 48MP main camera. Issue: Still used a 60Hz display, making it feel less premium than similarly priced competitors.

September 2023 – iPhone 15 Plus: Large display, excellent battery life and USB-C. Issue: 60Hz refresh rate and lack of a telephoto camera disappointed some buyers.

September 2023 – iPhone 15 Pro: Introduced a titanium frame and the Action Button. Issue: Some early users reported overheating, while the titanium finish showed scratches more easily than expected.

September 2023 – iPhone 15 Pro Max: Exclusive 5x tetraprism telephoto camera and titanium design. Issue: High price, large size, and occasional overheating.

September 2024 – iPhone 16: Added the Camera Control button and improved Apple Intelligence support. Issue: Limited to a 60Hz display, which many users considered overdue for an upgrade.

September 2024 – iPhone 16 Plus: Large display, strong battery life and Camera Control. Issue: 60Hz refresh rate and lack of a dedicated telephoto camera affected its premium appeal.

September 2024 – iPhone 16 Pro: Larger display, faster A18 Pro chip, and improved ultra-wide camera. Issue: Expensive, relatively heavy, and upgrades felt incremental for recent Pro owners.

September 2024 – iPhone 16 Pro Max: Apple’s largest iPhone with improved battery life and cameras. Issue: Very expensive, bulky for one-handed use, and costly to repair.

February 2025 – iPhone 16e: Budget-focused model with Apple Intelligence support and USB-C. Issue: Single rear camera, fewer premium features, and lower display specifications than flagship models.

September 2025 – iPhone 17: Introduced a smoother 120Hz ProMotion display across the standard model and the A19 chip. Issue: Battery life lagged behind larger models, and the dual-camera system lacked the Pro models’ advanced zoom capabilities.

September 2025 – iPhone Air: Apple’s thinnest and lightest iPhone, featuring the A19 Pro chip. Issue: Ultra-thin design meant shorter battery life than the Pro models, and the single speaker and fewer cameras required noticeable compromises.

September 2025 – iPhone 17 Pro: Featured the A19 Pro chip, vapour-chamber cooling, and upgraded triple cameras. Issue: Premium price and its improvements over the 16 Pro felt incremental for many upgraders.

September 2025 – iPhone 17 Pro Max: Apple’s most advanced iPhone with the best battery life and camera system. Issue: High price, large size, and expensive repairs made it less practical for many users.

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MTN MoMo from MTN Uganda has introduced Travel by MoMo, a new service that allows Ugandans to search, compare, and book flights directly from the MoMo app without visiting a travel agency or using a bank card.

Developed in partnership with Next Travel, the service allows MTN users to pay for air tickets using MTN Mobile Money while viewing fares in Uganda shillings.

If you’re planning your next trip, here’s how to book your flight using the MTN MoMo app.

Step 1: Open the MoMo App
Launch the updated MTN MoMo app on your smartphone and sign in.

From the home screen, tap Buy, then select Travel, followed by Travel by MoMo.

Step 2: Register or Log In
Before booking your flight, tap the Register/Login button in the top-left corner. You can create a Travel by MoMo account by entering your full name, date of birth, passport number, passport issuing country, and a password.

Creating an account is optional; you can continue as a guest, although registering can make future bookings easier.

Step 3: Enter Your Travel Details
On the Travel by MoMo booking page, enter your travel information, including trip type (One-way, Round trip, or Multi-city), departure and destination cities, travel dates, number of travellers, and Cabin class (Economy, Premium Economy, Business or First Class).

Once you’ve entered your details, tap Search to view available flights.

Step 4: Compare Available Flights
Travel by MoMo will display flights matching your search. Depending on your route, you may find airlines such as Uganda Airlines, RwandAir, Qatar Airways, and other regional and international carriers.

Here you can compare ticket prices, departure and arrival times, flight durations, number of stops, and refund options. Airlines with refundable and non-refundable tickets are marked.

Step 5: Choose your Flight
Once you find a flight that suits you, tap Book Now below your preferred airline.

You will then be required to provide your email address (email ID) and phone number if you did not create a Travel by MoMo account.

Step 6: Pay Using MTN MoMo
Keep MTN MoMo selected as your payment option, accept the terms and conditions, then tap Continue.

You’ll receive a Mobile Money payment prompt on your phone. Enter your Mobile Money PIN to authorise the payment.

Once the transaction is successful, your booking will be confirmed, and your e-ticket will be sent to your email.

Need Help with Your Booking?
If you run into any issues while booking, the Travel by MoMo page includes both WhatsApp and Call buttons for direct customer support.

MTN Uganda has started rolling out a 4-digit Mobile Money PIN code for new customers, marking a change from the 5-digit PIN system that existing users have used for years.

The change, which users began reporting on 21 July 2026, affects customers registering new MTN SIM cards or activating MTN MoMo (Mobile Money) for the first time. During setup, they can only create a 4-digit PIN.

What Happens to Existing MTN MoMo Users With a 5-Digit PIN?
According to MTN MoMo Support on X, existing MTN customers with a 5-digit Mobile Money PIN will continue using it unless they choose to change or reset their PIN.

That means if you already have a 5-digit PIN, nothing changes for now. However, if you forget your Mobile Money PIN code or choose to reset it, you’ll be required to use a 4-digit PIN instead.

The move brings MTN Uganda’s Mobile Money PIN format in line with Airtel Uganda, which has long used a 4-digit Airtel Money PIN code.

One notable difference, however, is that MTN’s new MoMo PIN rules appear to be more restrictive on PIN choices. While Airtel Money allows some simple combinations, such as 4444, MTN’s new 4-digit PIN system does not seem to accept weak or easily guessed PINs, including repeated digits like 0000 or predictable combinations such as 1234.