In a bid to boost connectivity, grow social networks, bring together communities among many more via the online, MyLYK – a new social media application developed by Ugandans was launched on Friday at the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities through a partnership that will be revealed in the due course.
MyLYK, a social platform designed to connect people and communities, past, present and future is aimed at bringing together people and communities as well as growing a network of people allowing the World to interact freely, download videos, photos, GIFs as well as sharing moments such as tourism fun trips among others.
This new software Application can be accessed through the Google PlayStore on Android and Apple AppStore on iPhone as well as non-smartphone users are able to access MyLYK through its official website at www.mylyk.net . One can also acquire the App through directly scanning a QR Code which shall in turn direct them to the respective application store of their device.
Current MyLYK users are also able to share and invite their friends and family to connect on the platform.
While briefing the Media at the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Hon. Baryayanga Andrew – the Managing Director MyLYK revealed that this App has been designed to create and archive memories while providing a platform to everyone all over the world to connect and create meaningful friendships, relations, beneficial associations and legacies of people in their communities as well as preserving languages, history and heritage as a resource for posterity.
He added that,’’ Bringing the digital era closer to the grass root people and communities, especially for Uganda and Africa where the digital penetration is still at the lowest levels, and therefore, MyLYK is here to promote unity by connecting people and communities globally through travel, tourism, planned community events and activities as well as create job opportunities for the youth directly and through third party service providers. Also, by providing a platform for job listings and awareness, such that users are able to easily access various job listings in the different sectors of the economy’’.
He further noted that, ‘’ The MyLYK App will also be able to provide a trade and commerce market place on which individuals, communities and businesses can buy, sale and promote their products/goods and services plus also raise the Ugandan Flag globally since MyLYK app is a Ugandan initiative and going global with at least 70% Ugandan representation. Country licenses will be held by deserving Ugandans where possible as well as promote tourism through enhancing culture and their tourist attractions globally not forgetting help raise awareness for different causes through campaigns and drives for different communities with a common agenda e.g. tree planting campaign, food for all campaign etc’’.
He concluded that the App Software will provide a platform for communicating/disseminating current affairs and events by the private and public sector highlighting the developments and progress of community projects, programs and infrastructure; and also promote and create love peace and unity by connecting people and communities to enable acceptance and appreciation for one another, uniting against Racism, Tribalism And Sectarianism.
Mr Justus Mugisha, the team leader at MyLYK will have a Virtual Community Ambassador (VCA) in the digital space, up to the National level while Global Community Virtual Ambassador (GCVA)represents their community beyond their country in each and every global Country to represent their community.
He said that, part of the roles and responsibilities of a Virtual community ambassador shall include; Collecting and posting stories through text, photos and videos. VCAs are also expected to promote their communities in different aspects, such as tourist attractions, culture, agriculture, education their products and services, verification of community members and posted stories, verification of jobseekers in the community, collecting, verifying, posting and billing business adverts in their community as well as look out for the elderly, the vulnerable and disadvantaged and bring their plight to the local concerned authorities in their community.
He added that part of the benefits of VCAs/GCVAs shall include;run and receive payment for adverts in their respective communities and the billing will be allocated as follows: VCA takes 50%, the community SACCO takes 25% and 25% is remitted to MyLYK. Also VCAs will have an opportunity to travel and engage in international MyLYK contests with other GCVAs from participating countries for various awards and prizes.
Mr Justus also revealed that users and VCA’s will also earn LYK coins as theseare rewards/points earned by users for performing different tasks on MyLYK. These coins can be earned by all Users i.e. Standard users, verified users, premium users and also Virtual Community Ambassadors.Also, the more one posts on MyLYK, the higher your points of LykCoin rewards. LykCoins coins can be redeemed and converted into funds for running ads or can be spent on affiliated products and services on MyLYK’’.
Awards:
MyLYK will use LykCoins as a metric system to award the most active users for their frequent use of the platform and also recognise distinguished members of MyLYK communities.
LYKCoins not utilized by the close of the year, shall be awarded to the User’s primary community, the constituency for the case of Uganda. Then, the 7 communities with the highest number of coins will be rewarded with various gifts like tree seedlings, utilities, local travel, film, music and dance events.
MyLYK App Features:
MyLYK is filled with fun-packed features such as posting, communities, pages, marketplace, jobs, blogs, etc.
Users are able to post different kinds of fun media including texts, images, videos, links, stickers, hashtags, etc.
Users are also able to interact with each other and communities through real-time chats, voice & videos calls.
Getting Started:
To get started on MyLYK, one simply needs to create an account by entering their username, email account and password to join the amazing world of MyLYK.
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