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I Can Smell AI from a Mile Away (And the Lecturer Can Too!)
I’m going to be honest: I am sick of reading and
listening to AI-generated group presentations. Whether it’s an AI image that
looks 'too perfect' or a 2,000-word essay that sounds like a robot, I can smell
it a mile away, and I’m tired of it. This is not to say that I’m not
guilty of using it too. I’ve used these
tools myself, so I know exactly how the 'shortcut' trap works. But if I
can tell it’s fake, believe me, your lecturers can too. Here is how to tell
when someone is being lazy:
- If
your coursework is full of words like delve, tapestry, pivotal, or shaping
the landscape, you’ve been caught. Real students don’t write like
that!
- AI
work often feels "flat" because every sentence is roughly the
same length, whereas real people mix short, punchy points with longer
explanations to give their writing a natural rhythm.
- AI
is always too nice. If you ask it "Who makes the best Rolex in
Kampala?" it will give a boring, balanced answer. Real people have
strong, local opinions; AI doesn't.
- Look
at those AI-generated posters. Are there six fingers on a hand? Do the
people in the background look like melted marshmallows? If the signposts
are written in a fake alien language, it’s a bot.
Use AI to Catch AI
To determine if an image was generated by AI:
- Upload
the image to an AI tool and ask if the image was AI-generated.
- The
AI will search for digital watermarks like a SyncID, or "unnatural
metadata."
- The
AI may also analyse the image for inconsistencies, such as shadows going
in different directions or "mathematically perfect" textures.
If we use AI to do the thinking, we’re the ones losing.
Coming up next: Using Ai without Cheating
Okonkwo’s
story, as told in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart is a perfect example
of how childhood trauma can influence someone’s future. Throughout his life, he
is haunted by a deep fear of becoming like his father, Unoka and strives to be
successful. He uses traditional wisdom and proverbs to justify his rigid
behaviour and hide his inner anxiety. He tries hard not to let his father's
failures ruin his success.
1. The Fear of Being "Soft"
Although
Okonkwo’s father loved music, the people in his village looked down on him
because he was poor. They called him "agbala," an insulting word used
for men who had no official titles or who were seen as feminine.
This leaves Okonkwo with a deep emotional wound. To distance himself from his past and his father’s "weak" reputation, Okonkwo decides that being a man means hiding any sign of weakness. He walks on his heels as if on springs, always ready to pounce on somebody. This aggressive stride is his way of rejecting the haggard and mournful stoop of his father. One elder uses the proverb, "Looking at a king's mouth, one would think he never sucked at his mother's breast," to describe his character. Okonkwo believes a man must never show emotion or act as if he ever needed help. To him, earning titles and showing strength in war is the only way to prove he isn't "feminine" like his father.
One
elder uses the proverb, 'Looking at a king's mouth, one would think
he never sucked at his mother's breast,' to describe his character. Okonkwo
believes a man must never show emotion or act as if he ever needed help. To
him, earning titles and showing strength in war is the only way to
prove he isn't 'feminine' like his father.
2. The Need for Total Control
Okonkwo’s
home life shows a constant need for dominance. During the Week of Peace, a time
meant for kindness, he beats his youngest wife because she does not cook his
dinner on time.
From
a psychological view, Okonkwo cannot follow the "soft" rules of the
Week of Peace because he views any form of restraint or patience as a threat to
his authority. He lives by the idea that "if a child washed his
hands he could eat with kings." To him, this means that as long as he
works hard and acts tough, he earns the right to rule his household with an
iron hand. He would rather break sacred laws and risk the wrath of the gods
than appear to lose control for even a single minute.
3. The Ikemefuna Case
The
most tragic part of his life is the death of Ikemefuna, a boy who lived in his
house and called him "father." Even though Okonkwo was fond of
the boy, he never showed it. A wise elder, Ezeudu, warned him: "That
boy calls you father. Do not bear a hand in his death."
But
when the men led the boy into the woods, Okonkwo’s fear made him lose his way.
When the boy was attacked, he ran to Okonkwo crying, "My father, they
have killed me!" Instead of helping, Okonkwo drew his machete and cut
him down. He was dazed with fear, terrified that if he showed mercy,
the other men would think he was weak. By killing the boy, he ignored the
elder's advice and ruined his own peace of mind.
4. The Mind That Cannot Bend
When
Okonkwo is exiled to his mother’s village, he falls into a deep depression. He
cannot see the value in his mother’s family because he views anything "maternal" as
weak.
He feels like a lost man, fearing his life will end up empty and haggard like his father's.
When
he returns home and finds that his son, Nwoye, has joined the new church,
Okonkwo snaps. He sits by his fire and calls his son "cold ash," thinking
of the proverb: "Living fire begets cold, impotent ash." He
sees himself as the roaring fire and his son as the useless remains. He cannot
understand that the world is changing. Because his ego is like stone, it
does not bend—it shatters.
Conclusion
Okonkwo’s
life is a lesson in the danger of a rigid ego. He spends his life building a
wall against his father’s ghost, but that wall eventually becomes his own
prison. When the world changed and the white man arrived, Okonkwo could not
change with it. He was not destroyed by a new government; he was destroyed by
his own inability to accept that true strength includes the courage to be
human. His refusal to bend eventually led to his tragic end.
Have you noticed how much noise is in Kampala's
suburbs? Everywhere we go, from the massive billboards of beverage companies to
shops blasting loud ads through megaphones and the constant ting-ting of
WhatsApp notifications, it feels like we are living inside our screens.
But here’s a deep question: Is the media showing us
what Uganda is really like, or is it actually creating the
world we live in?
1. We are "Saturated" (It’s Everywhere!)
Remember when we only had one TV channel and a handful
of radio stations to choose from? Those days are long gone. Today, with 54
TV stations and 282 radio stations saturating the airwaves, the media has
become like the dust in Kampala. It's everywhere, settling into every corner of
our lives, and there is simply no avoiding it.
Whether you’re
at a shopping mall in Ntinda or in a taxi to Entebbe, someone is on TikTok, a radio
is blasting, or a TV is showing football. We are so "soaked" in media
that it has become the basis of how we think. We don’t just watch the news; we
live it.
2. When Everything is a Product
Think about
being a football fan. Whether you support KCCA FC or you’re a die-hard Manchester United fan, your love for the game is now a massive business. It’s not just about the
ball; it’s about:
- Buying that expensive DSTV
subscription.
- Betting on apps during your lunch
break.
- Buying the latest "original" jersey in downtown Kampala.
Even our hobbies
are now just another way for companies to make money.
3. Information Overload
Have you ever
felt "information overload"? This is when you have so many TikToks,
tweets, and news alerts coming at you that your brain just gives up.
Instead of
understanding a big issue deeply, we just scroll. We half-watch the 9 PM news
while checking Instagram and chatting on WhatsApp. We aren't looking for the
"truth" anymore; we are just looking for the next quick thrill or
lugambo (gossip).
![]() |
| A woman focuses on a screen Photo by Timothy Kalyegira |
4. Is the "Real World" Gone?
Some scholars argue that the line between "real life" and "media life" has completely disappeared. For example, when something happens in town, we don't judge it by what we saw with our own eyes. We judge it by which video is trending on social media.
If it’s not on
social media, did it even happen? To many of us, the "screen version"
of our lives feels more real than the actual world.
![]() |
| Light from a television reflects on a woman in a darkened room Photo by Timothy Kalyegira |
The Bottom Line
Media isn't just
something we "use" anymore—it is the world we live in. We are
constantly bombarded by ads and messages because companies are always looking
for new ways to sell us things.
So, next time
you’re scrolling through your phone for the fifth hour today, ask yourself: are
you living your life, or are you just living in the media's version of it?
Chapter 1: The Struggle Was Real (March 28, 2026)
Before the tarmac, we were "eating" dust every day.

Campaign posters overlook the Kira-Mulawa mud

For a long time, the people in Kira-Mulawa Road have suffered living under a thick blanket of red dust that slows down every business. On March 28, a heavy downpour turns this busy section into a muddy area near Kira town. This mess is a hint of how the old road used to fail us and why we really needed this "glow-up."
![]() |
| The red dust era ends as new tarmac arrives |
Even when some parts are still muddy, we can see fresh black tarmac appearing behind this caution tape. This shot from March 28 gives us a "sneak peek" of the clean life that is just around the corner. This ribbon is how the contractors are protecting the new surface while they finish the rest.
Chapter 2: No More "Orange" Shoes (April 12, 2026)
Checking the progress two weeks later.
![]() |
| The new drains to keep Kira dust-free |
By April 12, the team is focusing on the deep concrete
drains that keep the road dry. Local workers have fitted these heavy slabs by
hand so that rainwater has a place to go. This smart drainage is how we will
finally stop the mud and dust from coming back.
The final result is looking "sharp."
![]() |
| A big plate of grilled chicken and fries |
KAMPALA, April 2, 2026 – Café Javas served its famous large plate of chicken and fries as one of its many options this Thursday to attract customers who value quality and status. The restaurant maintains its top reputation by combining fast service with a luxurious setting, turning a simple lunch into a prestigious dining experience.
I grew up knowing Kampala only as a noisy city. But on this quiet afternoon, March 28, 2026, I am walking the streets with my phone, showing a different side of the city. These pictures show the peaceful beauty you can find there, with no sound from taxis or boda bodas hooting.
1. KLA’s Old Taxi Park
![]() |
The park at rest |
2. Equatoria Junction
![]() |
| A peaceful stop at the Equatoria Junction |
Boda-boda riders wait patiently at the Equatoria
Junction. Usually, this place is full of shouting and engines, but right now,
it feels like everyone is just enjoying the warm breeze.
3. Blue Sky Reflections at Church House
![]() |
| Taking it slow on Kampala Road |
A few people and boda bodas cross the road near Church House. On this still afternoon, the tall windows reflect the blue sky, proving that even the busiest streets have a peaceful side.
4. Modern Kampala (Mapeera House)
![]() |
The quiet big giant |
5. Roadside Gallery
![]() |
| The sidewalk museum |
These paintings of animals and children are lined up
on a wall for everyone to see. Today, the street feels like a museum where you
can walk slowly and enjoy the view.
6. Craft Africa
![]() |
| Art waiting for a home |
At the Craft Africa stall, colourful paintings sit quietly while fabrics glow in the sun. This quiet moment gives visitors a rare chance to see every detail without the usual big crowds.
I felt very safe taking these photos. One person
warned me to be careful with my phone near Mapeera House, but the quiet mood
makes me feel relaxed. I am not worried at all.
Although the smartphone was introduced in the 1990s, it gained widespread popularity only in 2007. Previous phones, known in Uganda as ‘Amapesa’ had keypads and could only connect to a diluted version of the internet. However, with the introduction of the iPhone, large touchscreens could navigate websites in the same way that desktop computers do. Today, smartphones have become such a significant part of our lives that many people cannot imagine living without them.
A growing number of these mobile device owners consume news and information on them and prefer to be on social media platforms during news broadcasts on television and radio. Insights from several individuals were gathered through interviews conducted on May 7, 2022. For example, when I asked how the smartphone has changed his life, one SafeBoda rider said in Luganda, translated to English:
We get news quickly, as you know. When something happens, you will already know about it by the time you see it on TV… Then there are quick warnings. By the time you hear it on the radio, you've already received the warning and are aware. Before you even leave the house, you will be aware that this and that could occur at any time.
These communication devices have changed the way people get entertained. Before the internet, most people only watched videos if they had a television or went to the cinema. Today, they can watch their favourite comedies and music videos on these distraction slabs. This is evidenced by the above-mentioned SafeBoda rider when he said:
There's comedy, music, and new songs, all of which we get quickly. We receive timely updates.
These pocket computers have become the most popular devices for online shopping. Three people I interviewed said one can order something online, and they will bring it to you while you are seated, going about your business. One of them stated that he did online businesses and trading. He was able to transfer funds through online platforms. Two of them mentioned how these handsets helped them save money on transportation.
The rise of these digital interfaces has pushed digital marketing into the mainstream. An increasing number of people have chosen to use these units to advertise their products. One businessman that I interviewed said:
I’ve also been able to advertise online via Facebook, Twitter, and sometimes Instagram, because I always post my business. I have a winery. I always post my new things that are coming in…
As these pocket-sized electronics have grown in popularity, so have apps. This has resulted in business expansion. Take the salon industry as an example. One young woman I spoke with said she learned how to braid locs by watching YouTube videos on her smartphone, which has helped her improve her skills and led to the expansion of her salon business. Another person I interviewed, a boda boda rider and builder, stated that his wife sold bags online while he made deals with his friends abroad to buy plots of land and build houses for them after they saw pictures of his completed houses online.
Since the handset has become people's digital security blanket – and it goes everywhere with them – an increasing number of people are experiencing the fear of being without, or losing, their mobile phone. This fear is known as nomophobia. One person I interviewed admitted that he would become sick if he did not have his smartphone. Another person stated that his smartphone allows him to be happier and less worried. As a result, this is one way in which the smartphone has harmed people's lives.
Mobile technology has evolved into a second brain for Ugandans, enabling real-time news updates, internet business operations, and remote study. Despite challenges such as addiction and anxiety, they remain an important part of Ugandan life.














