Effective Date: immediately
Platform: www.umojabook.com (“UmojaBook”, “we”, “us”, “our”)
Applicable Region: Democratic Republic of the Congo (currently Kinshasa only)

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using UmojaBook, whether as a visitor, registered user, or local business partner, you agree to be bound by these Terms & Conditions.

If you do not agree with any part of these terms, you must not use UmojaBook.

These terms apply alongside our:

• [Privacy Policy]
• [Refund & Return Policy]

2. Definitions

Term	Meaning
“Platform”	The UmojaBook website and mobile experience.
“User”	Any person who creates an account, browses content, or makes a purchase.
“Member”	A registered user with a profile, friends, and posting ability.
“Local Business”	A shop or vendor in Kinshasa partnering with UmojaBook to sell goods.
“Marketplace”	The section of UmojaBook where users buy from Local Businesses.
“COD”	Cash on Delivery (Paiement à la livraison).
“Point de Relais”	A physical pickup location in Kinshasa.

3. Eligibility (Who Can Join)

To create an account on UmojaBook, you must:

• Be at least 13 years old (or 16 if required by your legal guardian in DRC).
• Provide a valid phone number (for COD verification) and email address.
• Use your real identity. Fake accounts are prohibited.
• Not have been previously banned from UmojaBook.

Important: By registering, you confirm you are legally allowed to form a binding contract in the DRC.

4. User Accounts & Responsibilities

A. Account Security

• You are responsible for keeping your password secret.
• You are responsible for all activity that occurs under your account.
• If you suspect someone hacked your account, contact security@umojabook.com immediately.

B. Accurate Information

• Your profile name, photo, and bio must not impersonate another person or business.

C. One Account Per Person

• You may not create multiple accounts to bypass bans or manipulate posts.

5. User Conduct (The “House Rules”)

UmojaBook is a community like Facebook. You agree NOT to post, share, or send:

Prohibited Content	Example
Hate Speech	Attacking someone based on ethnicity, tribe (e.g., “You are from [tribe], so…”), religion, or gender.
Nudity or Sexual Content	Pornography, genitalia, or sexual violence.
Harassment & Bullying	Threatening to harm someone, repeated insults, or sharing someone’s private info (doxxing).
Illegal Activities	Selling drugs (including without prescription), weapons, or stolen goods.
Spam or Scams	Fake job offers, “get rich quick” schemes, or phishing links.
Impersonation	Pretending to be a UmojaBook staff member or a Local Business owner.

Consequences of Violation:

• First offense: Warning & post/comment removal.
• Second offense: 7-day account suspension.
• Third offense: Permanent ban (no appeal for severe violations like hate speech or threats).

6. Content Ownership & License

A. You Own Your Content

• All photos, posts, comments, and videos you upload remain your property.

B. License to UmojaBook

• By posting on UmojaBook, you grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to:
  • Display your content to other users.
  • Store your content on our servers.
  • Share your content within the Platform (e.g., showing your post in the activity feed).
• We do not sell your content to third parties.

C. Copyright Infringement

• If you believe a UmojaBook user has uploaded your copyrighted work without permission, contact copyright@umojabook.com. We will investigate and remove infringing content within 48 hours.

7. The Marketplace (Buying from Local Businesses)

UmojaBook is a platform connecting buyers in Kinshasa with Local Business partners.

A. UmojaBook’s Role

• We facilitate the transaction (listing products, COD logistics, Point de Relais network).
• We are not the seller. The Local Business is solely responsible for product quality, accuracy of descriptions, and stock availability.

B. Your Agreement with Local Businesses

• When you buy an item on UmojaBook, you enter into a direct agreement with the Local Business.
• All refunds and returns follow our [Refund & Return Policy], which we enforce on behalf of the buyer.

C. Disclaimers

• UmojaBook does not guarantee that product descriptions are 100% accurate (e.g., a shirt might look slightly different in person).
• We are not liable if a Local Business goes bankrupt, closes, or fails to deliver a product. However, you will not be charged (COD means you only pay upon delivery).

8. Cash on Delivery (COD) Specific Rules

Because UmojaBook uses Cash on Delivery exclusively in Kinshasa:

• You must have the exact cash amount ready. Drivers may not always have change.
• You have the right to inspect the product before paying. The driver must allow this.
• If you refuse delivery for a non-valid reason (no damage, wrong item, or expiration), the delivery fee is non-refundable (as stated in our Refund Policy).
• Three (3) refused deliveries within 30 days will result in a temporary 30-day shopping ban from the Marketplace.

9. Point de Relais (Pickup Locations)

When choosing “Pickup at Point de Relais”:

• You must collect your order within 3 business days of receiving the SMS/WhatsApp notification.
• After 3 days, a storage fee of 500 FC per day may apply.
• After 7 days of no-show: The order is returned to the Local Business, and you forfeit the right to purchase that item (no refund needed because you didn’t pay).

10. Account Suspension & Termination

UmojaBook reserves the right to suspend or permanently delete any account without prior notice if we believe you have violated these Terms.

Grounds for immediate termination:

• Posting hate speech or inciting violence.
• Using the platform to scam other users.
• Creating fake accounts after a ban.
• Sharing content that is illegal under DRC law (e.g., child exploitation, incitement to tribal conflict).

What happens to your data after termination?

• Your public posts may remain visible, but your profile will show “[Deleted User]”.
• You may request complete data deletion by emailing privacy@umojabook.com.

11. Limitation of Liability (Protecting UmojaBook)

To the maximum extent permitted by DRC law:

• UmojaBook is not liable for any damages resulting from:
  • User-to-user disputes (e.g., two members arguing in comments).
  • Delayed deliveries caused by traffic, weather, or strikes in Kinshasa.
  • Loss of data, profile photos, or messages due to technical failures.
• Maximum liability for any claim related to UmojaBook shall not exceed 10,000 Congolese Francs (10,000 FC).

This means you cannot sue UmojaBook for millions of francs if a user insults you. Our role is to provide the platform, not to police every interaction.

12. Indemnification (You Protect Us)

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless UmojaBook, its owners, employees, and Local Business partners from any claims, damages, or expenses arising from:

• Your violation of these Terms.
• Your content that infringes someone else’s copyright or privacy.
• Your dispute with another user or Local Business.

13. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms at any time.

• Minor changes (typos, clarifications): Effective immediately.
• Major changes (new rules, banned activities): We will notify you via:
  • A site-wide announcement on your feed, AND
  • An email to your registered address.

Continuing to use UmojaBook after changes means you accept the updated Terms.

14. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Dispute Resolution Process:

Step	Action	Deadline
1	Contact UmojaBook support via legal@umojabook.com	Within 15 days of issue
2	We will attempt to resolve internally	10 business days
3	If unresolved, mediation at the Centre de Médiation de Kinshasa	30 days
4	Final recourse: Courts of Kinshasa/Gombe	As per DRC procedure

15. Contact Information

For legal inquiries, abuse reports, or account disputes:

• Email: legal@umojabook.com
• WhatsApp: +243842446656
• Physical Address (for legal notices only): refer to contact info

For immediate help with a delivery or refund: support@umojabook.com

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