1. Acceptance of Terms
By accessing or using Lango News (langonews.com), the mobile application, or any services provided by Hakateq Solutions Limited ("we", "us", "our"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree, please do not use our platform.
2. About Lango News
Lango News is a digital media and streaming platform designed to serve the Lango Sub-region and Northern Uganda. The platform provides news publishing, video streaming, live broadcasting, creator monetization, advertising, and community engagement services.
3. User Accounts
To access certain features, you must create an account. You agree to:
- Provide accurate and complete information during registration
- Maintain the security of your account credentials
- Notify us immediately of any unauthorized access
- Be responsible for all activities under your account
- Not create multiple accounts for the same person
We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these terms without prior notice.
4. User Roles
Users may register as Readers, Creators, or Journalists. Each role has specific privileges:
- Readers — Can read, comment, like, follow, share content, and tip creators
- Creators — Can publish articles, upload videos, go live, earn revenue, run advertisements, and build audiences
- Journalists — Can publish news content with priority editorial review
Role upgrades are subject to admin approval. We may change role privileges at any time.
5. Content Guidelines
Users must not upload, publish, or share content that:
- Contains hate speech, discrimination, or incitement to violence
- Is sexually explicit, pornographic, or obscene
- Promotes terrorism, extremism, or illegal activities
- Infringes on intellectual property or copyright
- Contains false information or deliberate misinformation
- Harasses, threatens, or bullies other users
- Contains spam, scams, or fraudulent content
- Impersonates another person or entity
- Contains malware, viruses, or harmful code
We reserve the right to remove content and suspend accounts that violate these guidelines without refund of any payments made.
6. Content Ownership & License
You retain ownership of content you create and publish on Lango News. By publishing content, you grant us a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to display, distribute, reproduce, and promote your content on our platform and associated channels (including YouTube, social media, and partner platforms).
This license continues even after account deletion for content already distributed, but you may request removal of specific content by contacting us.
7. Video Uploads and YouTube
Videos uploaded through Lango News are hosted on our official YouTube channel. By uploading videos, you agree that:
- Your video will be published on the Lango News YouTube channel
- YouTube's Terms of Service and Community Guidelines also apply
- Views and engagement are tracked across both platforms
- You have the right to upload and distribute the video content
- We may monetize videos through YouTube's ad program
8. Monetization and Payments
Creators may earn revenue through the following channels:
- Tips — Readers can tip creators directly. A platform commission is deducted before crediting the creator's wallet.
- Paid Live Streams — Creators can charge viewers for live stream access. A platform commission is deducted from each ticket sale.
- View-based Earnings — Revenue sharing based on content views and engagement (when applicable).
8.1 Platform Commission
The platform deducts a commission from creator earnings as follows:
- Tips: The platform retains a percentage (set by admin, default 15%) of each tip. The creator receives the remainder.
- Live Stream Tickets: The platform retains a percentage (set by admin, default 20%) of each ticket sale.
Commission rates may change at any time. Creators will be notified of changes via platform notification. The current rates are visible in the platform settings.
8.2 Wallet and Withdrawals
- Earnings are credited to your creator wallet after platform commission is deducted.
- The minimum withdrawal amount is set by the platform administrator and displayed on the earnings page.
- Withdrawals are processed via Mobile Money (MTN Mobile Money or Airtel Money).
- You must set up a valid payout method before requesting withdrawals.
- Withdrawal requests are processed every Friday. Requests submitted after Friday will be included in the following week's payout cycle.
- We reserve the right to hold or reject withdrawals if fraud is suspected.
- Earnings from content that is later removed for policy violations may be reversed.
8.3 Payment Processing
All payments (tips, live stream tickets, advertisements, subscriptions) are processed through Pesapal via Mobile Money or Card. By making a payment, you agree to Pesapal's terms of service. We are not responsible for payment processing delays or failures caused by third-party payment providers.
9. Advertising
Users can purchase advertisements to promote their businesses or content on Lango News. By purchasing an ad:
- You must select from available ad plans with fixed pricing, duration, and placement.
- Ads are subject to review and approval by our team before going live.
- We reserve the right to reject ads that violate our content guidelines or are misleading.
- Ad performance (impressions, clicks) is tracked and visible in your dashboard.
- Ads expire automatically at the end of the plan duration.
- Payments for ads are non-refundable once the ad has been approved and activated.
- If an ad is rejected, you may edit and resubmit or request a refund.
- We do not guarantee specific impression or click counts — estimated impressions are approximate.
9.1 Ad Content Requirements
Advertisements must not:
- Contain misleading or false claims
- Promote illegal products or services
- Contain adult or inappropriate content
- Infringe on trademarks or intellectual property
- Link to malicious or unsafe websites
10. Premium Subscriptions
Premium subscriptions provide enhanced features including ad-free browsing and exclusive content access.
- Subscription plans and pricing are displayed on the platform.
- Subscriptions are billed at the start of each billing period (monthly or yearly).
- You may cancel your subscription at any time; access continues until the end of the current billing period.
- Refunds for subscriptions are handled on a case-by-case basis.
- We may change subscription pricing with 30 days notice to existing subscribers.
11. Live Streaming
Creators can broadcast live streams on the platform. By using live streaming:
- You are responsible for all content broadcast during your live stream.
- Live streams must comply with our content guidelines at all times.
- Paid live streams require viewers to purchase a ticket before accessing.
- We may terminate a live stream at any time if it violates our guidelines.
- Recordings of live streams may be retained for moderation purposes.
12. Tipping
Readers can send monetary tips to creators as appreciation for their content.
- Tips are voluntary and non-refundable once processed.
- The minimum tip amount is UGX 500.
- Tips are processed through our payment gateway (Pesapal/Mobile Money).
- A platform commission is deducted before the tip reaches the creator's wallet.
- Creators receive the tip amount minus the platform fee, clearly shown in their transaction history.
- We are not responsible for tips sent to the wrong creator due to user error.
13. Reporting and Moderation
Users can report content or accounts that violate our guidelines. Our moderation team reviews reports and takes appropriate action, which may include:
- Content removal
- Account warnings
- Temporary or permanent account suspension
- Referral to law enforcement for illegal content
14. Prohibited Activities
You may not:
- Use automated systems, bots, or scrapers to access the platform
- Attempt to hack, disrupt, or compromise our systems
- Create multiple accounts to manipulate engagement or earnings
- Sell or transfer your account to another person
- Use the platform for any illegal purpose
- Artificially inflate views, clicks, or engagement metrics
- Circumvent payment systems or commission structures
- Use the platform to launder money or conduct fraudulent transactions
15. Intellectual Property
The Lango News name, logo, design, and platform code are the intellectual property of Hakateq Solutions Limited. You may not copy, modify, or distribute our platform's design or code without written permission.
16. Limitation of Liability
Lango News and Hakateq Solutions Limited are not liable for:
- Any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from platform use
- Loss of earnings due to platform downtime or technical issues
- Content published by third-party users
- Payment processing delays or failures by third-party providers
- Unauthorized access to your account due to your negligence
We provide the service "as is" without warranties of any kind, express or implied.
17. Indemnification
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Hakateq Solutions Limited, its officers, employees, and partners from any claims, damages, or expenses arising from your use of the platform or violation of these terms.
18. Termination
We may terminate or suspend your account at any time for violation of these terms. Upon termination:
- Your access to the platform will be revoked immediately
- Pending withdrawals may be cancelled if fraud is suspected
- Your published content may be removed or retained at our discretion
- Any outstanding wallet balance will be paid out within 30 days if no violations are found
19. Changes to Terms
We may update these terms at any time. Continued use of the platform after changes constitutes acceptance of the new terms. We will notify users of significant changes via email or platform notification at least 7 days before they take effect.
20. Dispute Resolution
In the event of a dispute, we encourage users to contact us first for resolution. If a dispute cannot be resolved informally, it shall be submitted to mediation before pursuing legal action.
21. Contact Us
For questions about these Terms of Service, contact us at:
- Email: info@langonews.com
- Phone: +256 743 102 612
- Address: Lira City, Lango Sub-region, Northern Uganda
- Company: Hakateq Solutions Limited
22. Governing Law
These terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of Uganda. Any disputes shall be resolved in the courts of Uganda.
