A new café and museum dedicated to helping young people navigate a fast-changing information landscape has opened in the Ugandan capital, blending food, art and interactive learning to counter the rapid spread of online disinformation.
The Love Facts Café and Museum, launched Tuesday at the MCI Media Hub in Kampala, invites visitors into a bright, creative space where food, games and storytelling are used to teach critical thinking in an era where falsehoods travel faster than facts.
‘Young people today receive more information than any generation before them,’ said Abaas Mpindi, CEO of the Media Challenge Initiative (MCI).
‘News, videos, rumours, jokes and lies come at them every second on their phones,’ he observed.
The café’s most unusual feature is its ‘disinformation-detox menu,’ where each dish carries a lesson on spotting misinformation, which is rampant in Uganda.
The creators say food helps people relax, remember and discuss difficult topics more freely.
‘When people eat, they talk, they relax, and they learn without feeling like they are in a classroom,’ the organisers said.
The menu uses simple food symbols to help visitors check for red flags and pause before sharing unverified content.
The adjoining museum features murals, games, challenges and a content studio. One installation uses football to explain fact-checking: just as a player shouldn’t take a shot without looking, users should never share information without checking.
Speakers at the launch warned that disinformation spreads because it is emotional, fast and often unchecked.
Mpindi said he worries about the quality of information young people will pass on ’50 years from now,’ urging media houses to lead by example.
‘When we publish wrong information, we should simply accept it and correct it,’ he said.
Anne Reisman, Country Director for KAS Uganda and South Sudan, said disinformation is effective because ‘it speaks to our emotions.’
She added that personal biases often make false claims easier to share.
‘If you notice your bias, take a step back,’ she advised.
Dr George Lugalambi, executive director at the African Centre for Media Excellence, emphasized that journalism’s core mission remains unchanged.
‘Truth is still the goal,’ he noted, adding that modern verification tools must be part of every journalist’s work. He urged reporters to write carefully and practise social listening, noting shorter audience attention spans.
Simon Kasyate, host of the ‘Grab a Coffee’ podcast, encouraged ‘day two journalism,’ urging young reporters to follow stories beyond the first headline and stay engaged with context.
Organisers say the Love Facts Café and Museum aims to create a community of curious, responsible information consumers – using creativity, conversation and shared experiences to push back against the digital tide of misinformation.