You know what’s funny? The things we treasure most on social media are often the least important. We glorify gossip, drama, and memes, but the moment someone posts something meaningful or productive, we suddenly feel offended.
Let someone post about their business, a book they’ve written, or a financial tip, and the group starts murmuring: “Eh, this is not a marketing platform.”
Yet the same group can host a full day’s debate about a random TikTok dance, a scandal, or a “Good morning” sticker that adds zero value to anyone’s life. Nobody complains about that. But dare to post something of purpose, and you’ll be accused of “advertising.” That mentality is stranger than the nonsense we entertain.
We’ve created a culture where foolishness is familiar, and productivity feels like noise. It’s almost as if serious talk irritates people. Post a joke about politics and you’ll get fifty laughing emojis.
Post about your business and you’ll be met with silence or worse, passive aggression. Someone will even message the admin to whisper, “Ban this guy, he’s turning the group into a marketplace.”
Meanwhile, the same people who silence you will later come to you in private saying, “Eh, I didn’t know you lend money. You should have told us earlier.” The irony writes itself. You feel like asking him a question, “How would I have told you if you usually negatively react to everyone’s post about their businesses?”
Let’s be honest with ourselves. Many people are uncomfortable with others who take initiative. When you share your work or talk about your business, it exposes their own inactivity. It reminds them of what they’re not doing. Your boldness makes them restless.
So, rather than clap for you, they disguise envy as etiquette. “This is not a business platform,” they’ll say, pretending to defend order while actually protecting their insecurity. We live in a generation that claps for comedy but cringes at commerce.
In Uganda, humility has been so misinterpreted that we now equate silence with modesty. We hide our achievements, whisper about our businesses, and pretend we are all broke together. But that false humility doesn’t pay rent. It doesn’t buy fuel. It doesn’t build legacy.
You cannot keep quiet about what feeds you and expect people to know how to support you. You must talk about it. You must market it. You must let people know what you do. Not arrogantly—but unapologetically.
For me, it’s simple. If you add me to a WhatsApp group, whether it’s for a wedding, or a baby shower, expect that I’ll talk about what I do. Not because I’m desperate, but because that’s part of who I am. If I run a lending company, people in that group must know that I lend. If I run a car tracking firm, they must know that too. That’s how we grow—by being visible.
And if my post offends you, maybe you should ask yourself why progress makes you uncomfortable. I’ll still contribute if I have to, even if I’m not allowed to say a word about my work. But if you add me, then brace yourself for at least one message that lets you know what keeps my lights on.
Social media is free advertising space. It’s your digital billboard. Why pay for airtime when you have 500 contacts on your phone and three WhatsApp groups where everyone already trusts you? Someone is always watching silently. That one post you’re too shy to make could be the one that lands you your next big client.
I’ve seen people secure major contracts from casual posts like, “We offer quick loans within 24 hours—DM me today.” And yet, many people are too scared to post because they fear being called “too much.” But here’s the truth: the people mocking you are not paying your bills. The opinions of those who laugh at your business won’t feed your children.
It’s time we changed what we consider important. Imagine if our WhatsApp groups were less about who cheated on who, and more about who’s hiring who.
Imagine if TikTok was filled with young Ugandans teaching about money, savings, or entrepreneurship, not just dance challenges.
Imagine if every business owner proudly posted their product at least twice a week without fear. The whole economy would shift. Because what we give attention to, we empower. And right now, we’re empowering nonsense.
Let’s normalize being proud of what we do. Stop apologizing for being ambitious. Stop hiding your business like it’s a secret sin.
If people can post gossip freely, you can post your product proudly. If they can forward memes, you can forward your services.
If they can flood the group with jokes, you can flood it with purpose. The difference between broke and bold is not luck—it’s consistency and courage.
You have nothing to be ashamed of. You are not annoying for talking about your work. You are not showing off. You are showing up for yourself, your dream, and your livelihood. So, the next time you hesitate to share your business on a platform because you fear judgment, remember: silence never sold anything.
Because at the end of the day, this is not about pride—it’s about purpose. The world doesn’t reward the quiet worker; it rewards the visible one.
So be bold. Be loud. Be unapologetic. If others can freely share what wastes time, then you can freely share what feeds your family.
