It is fixed now!

@unrealb2 I would recommend python (if you don't know c++). For a long time I didn't try out any app development because I am not good with c++, but then I found an app I wanted to contribute to. It was written in python and I was able to pick it up pretty quickly, I even started developing my own app with python. QML is fairly easy to get going with too.

@doniks I think that was the missing link for me, thanks! I didn't consider that I could just build new debs for those projects and install them to test. Much appreciated! And as for the kernel stuff, thank you for that too! I will play around with installing a new kernel.

I have been having trouble with Riot not connecting to the ubports.chat matrix server on my laptop (fluffychat is not having any issues). While trying to figure out what was wrong I noticed that the ssl certificate for ubports.chat expired on August 21st. I don't know who manages that, but since ubports is in the domain, I figured this was a good place.
I was able to encounter this error here: https://ubports.chat:8448
Here is what I see in firefox:

EDIT: Accepting the expired cert did fix Riot (Riot.im in firefox) for me. Though it isn't a good solution.

Thank you, @advocatux