- MTN Uganda has launched a MoMoPay Red Cross Merchant Account for customers to donate money towards efforts to combat the spread of the coronavirus in the country, and support those most affected by the pandemic. Customers dial *165*3*191919# and donate any amount of their choice.
Other interventions include;
- MTN Uganda has provisioned a Toll-Free number 919 for the public to call Ministry of Health teams and get assistance related to covid19. This is in addition to the existing 0800203033 and 0800100066 toll free lines, that the public is calling to get help.
- MTN Uganda has zero-rated several learners’ websites to complement efforts to educate and keep children engaged during the quarantine period. This means MTN data customers don’t need MBs to access the sites available at www.mtn.co.ug/learnathome
- For 30-days, customers can send any amount of Mobile Money every day to other MTN MoMo customers free of charge.
- The offers come alongside a day-time data bundle that is enabling Ugandans stay on-line and work from home. Customers get 1GB of data at just Ushs 2,000 valid between 9am and 5pm.
- These propositions are designed to reduce the risk of transmission of covid19, by avoiding the physical exchange of currency notes.
- MTN is also supporting government’s sensitization drive by availing UGX 500 million. Ushs 297 million of that money has been disbursed to the Uganda Red Cross, to support with community sensitization and surveillance, ambulance services, psychological support, case tracing and handling referrals among other interventions.
- To facilitate the flow of information, MTN Uganda has zero rated Ministry of Health and World Health Organization (WHO) websites, so the public can access information about the virus at no charge. They include; who.int , www.health.go.ug and www.covid19.gou.go.ug
MTN Uganda has today launched a MoMoPay Merchant Code 191919 through which customers can donate funds to support the relief effort, especially for those most affected by the economic and social devastation brought on by coronavirus. MTN customers need to dial *165*3# then enter the code 191919 and donate any amount of money they wish to.
Proceeds from this intervention are meant to help fund efforts of the Uganda Red Cross as it works to help combat further spread of the virus and support those who are finding it hard to fend for themselves.
Speaking at a news conference hosted on www.facebook.com/mtnug, MTN Uganda CEO – Wim Vanhelleputte, reiterated the company’s commitment to stand together with Ugandans by doing everything it can to reduce the impact that covid19 is having on their lives. He committed that, “MTN Uganda will continue to look at ways of supporting our communities and government, to ensure that together, we do everything feasible to get through this difficult time.”
Speaking at the news conference, Uganda Red Cross Society Secretary General, Mr. Robert Kwesiga appreciated MTN’s gesture and reiterated the society’s commitment to alleviate the human suffering that is increasingly being experienced by communities especially the most vulnerable people in society.
Recently MTN Uganda scrapped all charges to send any amount of money using MTN Mobile Money, in a move to minimize the physical exchange of paper money.
The offer is meant to reduce the risk of transmission of covid-19 that has paralysed daily life across the world.
Alongside this offer, the company also launched a data bundle that is enabling customers to work from home. Dubbed ‘Work from home’, the data bundle is meant to promote the concept of ‘social distancing’ while reducing the anticipated negative impact that limited movement and contact between people, may have on both the economic and social fabric of our society.
The ‘work from home’ data bundle can be accessed through Mobile Money by dialing *165*19# or through the MyMTN app.
“MTN is committed to continue working with the government, and other partners to reduce the impact and disruption that this pandemic is having on the lives of Ugandans. Working closely with the Ministry of Health, MTN Uganda has committed its media assets including radio, SMS, social media, call centre and continues to implement various precautionary measures to drive awareness among the public to protect themselves,” Wim further commented.
MTN Uganda also made Ushs 500 million available, to facilitate efforts to prevent, manage and curb the spread of covid 19 in Uganda. Ushs 297 million of that money has already been disbursed to the Uganda Red Cross, who are using the funds for their execution plan that includes community sensitization and surveillance, ambulance services, psychological support, case tracing and handling referrals among other interventions.
It’s also now free to check for covid 19 updates at www.who.int , www.health.go.ug and www.covid19.gou.go.ug. Customers will not be charged for browsing these sites.
MTN Uganda is further supporting the fight against the spread of the Coronavirus by offering free access to select educational websites to enable parents home school their children. Through this access, MTN believes that Ugandans will be able to stay safe at home and learn while at it.
You can now access the National Curriculum study content from pre-primary to secondary and more in partnership with NCDC for free. Click here to start learning.
Here is a list of zero-rated educational websites that you can use to learn from home or access for your kids to keep tabs on their education.
www.classroommagazines.scholastic.com
| University | Elearning Sites |
| Makerere University | muele.mak.ac.ug 196.43.133.73 |
| admissions.mak.ac.ug 154.72.194.148 | |
| aims.mak.ac.ug 154.72.194.149 | |
| student.mak.ac.ug 154.72.194.150 | |
| payments.mak.ac.ug 137.63.246.6 | |
| webconf.mak.ac.ug 196.43.185.46 | |
| Uganda Christian University | https://elearning.ucu.ac.ug/ |
| Uganda Martyrs University | https://elearning.umu.ac.ug/ |
| International University of East Africa | https://elearning.iuea.ac.ug/ |
| Gulu University | https://elearning.gu.ac.ug/ |
| Mbarara university | https://smartlearning.must.edu.eg/ |
| Kyambogo university | https://kelms.kyu.ac.ug/ |
Let’s FightCoronaTogether.
- For 30-days, customers can now send any amount of Mobile Money every day to other MTN MoMo customers free of charge.
- The offer comes alongside a day-time data bundle that is enabling Ugandans stay on-line and work from home. Customers get 1GB of data at just Ushs 2,000 valid between 9am and 5pm.
- These offers are designed to reduce the risk of transmission by avoiding the physical exchange of currency notes.
- MTN is also supporting government’s sensitization drive by availing UGX 500 million in cash and free media channel space (radio, tv, social media, SMS, call centre IVR platform) to promote the Ministry of Health’s sensitization messages.
- To facilitate the flow of information, MTN Uganda has zero rated Ministry of Health and World Health Organization (WHO) websites, so the public can access information about the virus at no charge. They include; who.int , www.health.go.ug and www.covid19.gou.go.ug
MTN Uganda has further enhanced its Mobile Money offer to allow Ugandans to now send any amount of Mobile Money, at no cost for the next 30 days in a move to minimize the physical exchange of paper money.
The offer is meant to reduce the risk of transmission of covid-19 that has paralysed daily life across the world.
Alongside this offer, the company also launched a data bundle that is enabling customers to work from home. Dubbed ‘Work from home’, the data bundle is meant to promote the concept of ‘social distancing’ while reducing the anticipated negative impact that limited movement and contact between people, may have on both the economic and social fabric of our society.
The ‘work from home’ data bundle can be accessed through Mobile Money by dialing *165*19# or through the MyMTN app.
“This is an extraordinary time, a time when as MTN we need to stand up and be counted on to do the right thing,” said Wim Vanhelleputte, the MTN Uganda CEO.
“MTN is committed to continue working with the government, to reduce the impact and disruption that this pandemic is having on the lives of Ugandans. Working closely with the Ministry of Health, MTN Uganda has committed its media assets including radio, SMS, social media, call centre and continues to implement various precautionary measures to drive awareness among the public to protect themselves,” Wim further commented.
MTN Uganda also made Ushs 500 million available, to facilitate various government endeavours to equip and facilitate various efforts to prevent, manage and curb the spread of covid 19 in Uganda.
Its also now free to check for covid 19 updates at www.who.int , www.health.go.ug and www.covid19.gou.go.ug. Customers will not be charged for browsing these sites.
- MTN Uganda has injected over five hundred million in the Bwizi Health Center III for the renovation of the general wards and, expansion and equipping of the maternal ward at the health center.
- With the construction of the new maternity ward underway, MTN Foundation is holding a corporate build with the key stakeholders in the project.
- This project was initiated in February 2020 and will be officially handed over in April 2020 upon its completion.
MTN Uganda, through its corporate social responsibility arm, MTN Foundation, has today held a corporate build at Bwizi Health Center III to bring to the attention of the general public and various stakeholders on the plight of maternal mortality rates within the region.
The telecom giant has injected over five hundred million Uganda shillings in the health center to renovate, expand the maternal/ general wards, and improve the sanitary facilities like showers and placenta pit as well as a comprehensive re- equipment of the entire health facility.
With an estimated growth rate of 3.2% per year, the estimate for 2010 was 350,000 people. MTN Uganda noticed a gap that it sought to mend together with its stakeholders to see to it that mothers are availed with a safe environment for child delivery.
MTN Uganda together with Joint Medical Stores, started the project started last month. With construction currently underway, the project will be officially handed over upon its completion next month.
The health center located in Bwizi sub county serves all the locals in the region however is restrained when it comes to the proper facilities and equipment in place.
Speaking at the corporate build, Mr. Wim Vanhelleputte the MTN Chief Executive Officer, said that MTN Uganda, together with its partners would have chosen to have all hands on deck as they wage a war against poor maternal health services.”
“Life is precious and valuable thus each and every mother deserves to give birth under the right conditions in a suitable environment without hindrances that we are in position to improve,” said Mr. Vanhelleputte as he reiterated MTN’s commitment to supporting maternal health in Uganda as an ongoing, long term project.
Hon. Frank Tumwebaze, the Minister for Gender, Labor and Social development thanked MTN Uganda for its continued support against maternal health not only in Bwizi but Uganda as a whole.
“For the last three years the MTN Marathon has raised funds to support maternal health in Uganda and today we are pleased that the MTN Foundation has delightfully come out to support Bwizi Health Center III,” Hon. Tumwebaze said.
He further urged the locals and hospital staff to be good stewards of the equipment, and facilities put in place such that the entire community gets to benefit from the improved health center.
“We have to police each other and hold the other accountable if we are to benefit as a whole from the generosity of MTN Uganda and Joint Medical stores,” Honorable Tumwebaze said.
In Uganda the maternal rate as per December 2019 was at 375 deaths/100,000 live births.
MTN reports commercial momentum, strategic progress and strong financial results; CEO to step down next year, succession process underway
MTN Group today announced an encouraging set of results for the year ended 31 December 2019 and that group president and CEO Rob Shuter would be stepping down from his role at the end of his contract in March 2021.
Commenting on the results, Shuter said:
“In 2019, the 25th anniversary of MTN Group, we delivered commercial momentum across our operations as well as great progress in our strategy and strong financial results, despite challenging trading conditions.
We added 18 million customers to reach a total of 251 million and increased our data users by 17 million to 95 million and our fintech customers by 7 million to 35 million. This growth is central to our belief that everyone deserves the benefits of a modern connected life. We also saw improvements in customer experience, network quality and market share across the group.
On the strategic front, we launched our instant messaging platform Ayoba, which is now live in 12 markets with two million monthly active users. We launched MoMo in South Africa and Afghanistan and received our super-agent licence in Nigeria, registering more than 100 000 agents by year-end. We also delivered R14 billion of asset realisations within the first 12 months of our programme and MTN Nigeria listed on the Nigeria Stock Exchange. We recorded progress on various regulatory issues, including the AGF tax matter in Nigeria. Relationships with stakeholders across our markets improved, and we reported our highest employee sustainable engagement score yet.
On the financial side, we delivered service revenue growth of 9,8% with an acceleration in the second half. Our EBITDA margin improved and reported headline earnings per share grew by 62%. Our network rollout brought a further 69 million people into 4G coverage whilst reducing capex intensity. Improved cash flows during the year supported stable balance sheet ratios.”
Operating environment
This outcome was delivered against challenging macroeconomic conditions, particularly in South Africa, with muted economic activity and the rand weakening against the US dollar.
Financial performance
In constant currency terms, group service revenue increased by 9,8%* to R141,8 billion and earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) expanded by 13,6% to R53,4 billion. The holding company leverage ratio improved to 2,2x, which is well within the group’s guidance range of 2,0 to 2,5x, and we reduced our capex intensity to 17,5% from 19,3%, indicating greater efficiency in deploying assets. Driven by the strong earnings performance, operating cashflow increased by 18% and the ROE increased from 11,5% in 2018 to 14,3% in 2019 on an IAS17 basis.
The group’s results were supported by double-digit growth in service revenue by both MTN Nigeria and MTN Ghana. The performance of MTN South Africa was impacted by economic pressure, new data usage rules and changes in recognition criteria for roaming revenue from Cell C due to delayed payments under the networking roaming agreement.
Management succession
MTN announced that the group president and CEO Rob Shuter will be stepping down from his role at the end of his contract in March 2021. The board thanks Rob for the contribution he has made, and continues to make, to MTN. The succession process will be concluded during the year, enabling a seamless handover.
MTN group chief technology and IT officer Charles Molapisi has been appointed to the group executive committee and the fixed contract of the group chief operations officer, Jens Schulte-Bockum, has been extended until 31 March 2022.
Looking ahead, Shuter says:
“We are well positioned for growth. Guided by our well-defined BRIGHT strategy, we are building our growth strategy on our digital operator model while optimising efficiencies, capex and cashflow.
Following data price reductions in South Africa and Nigeria in 2019, we expect price elasticity to improve data revenue growth in 2020, supported by expanded 4G coverage in Nigeria and across the group. We will continue to scale up our fintech and digital services as well as grow our enterprise and wholesale businesses.
We have maintained our service revenue, EBITDA margin, capex intensity and ROE targets and increased our asset disposal target by a further R25 billion over the medium term. We also now target a holding company leverage ratio at below 2x. We will use 2020 to implement our succession process and ensure a seamless handover to the new group president and CEO whilst maintaining our operational execution.
Inspired to harness the pioneering spirit that has built MTN over the last 25 years, we remain committed to delivering on our strategy in a more agile way in close collaboration with our many partners, with whom we are #GoodTogether.”
- Kalibala Peter (Trap Kid) wins inaugural edition and walks away with shs15, 000,000 cash prize, a one-year recording deal, MTN Pulse ambassador title as well as a chance to have his music uploaded to Tidal.
- The rap competition is one of the giant telecom company’s efforts to provide a platform for rappers to express themselves as they develop their talent
- MTN has been at the forefront of supporting this music genre in Uganda which has now grown in popularity from just being loved in high schools and karaoke to being one of the most loved genres in Uganda.
Peter Kalibala aka Trap Kid has beaten off stiff competition to emerge as the inaugural winner of the MTN Pulse Rap battles.
With this win, Kalibala (Trap kid) walked away with a cash prize worth shs15, 000,000 and a recording and management deal that includes mentorship for a period of six month as well as becoming an MTN Pulse ambassador.
He will also have his music uploaded to Tidal, an global music streaming app that is available to MTN customers and is owned by renowned American rapper, Jay-Z.
Tamusa Disan aka Gibbon MC was the first runner up while Timothy Bauma, aka The Homie was the second runner up winning shs7, 000,000 and shs5, 000,000 respectively.
Sponsored by Uganda’s leading telecom company and organised by KUNTA productions, , the MTN Pulse Rap Battles aimed at seeing young unknown talented Rappers take part in the competitions that will help them showcase their talent and be recognized in the entertainment circles.
“We have a lot of talented youths in the country, but they usually just lack a platform to showcase their talent. The MTN Pulse Rap Battles therefore sought to inspire youth to develop their music talents as a future source of livelihood but also offer the rap community a sustained opportunity to express their talent,” said Martin Sebuliba, MTN Uganda Senior Manager Brand and Communications.
The 13-episode televised show was set in a battle format in various settings like cages, streets, forests etc. in the presence of renowned judges, a super hyped host and the participation of the general public especially through digital.
The epic rap competition saw contestants face off in various categories such as; Pass on the Mic: A beat was dropped in a cypher set up and each rapper was to freestyle without losing the beat and passes on the mic after the given time period. Contestants were subjected to physical activity while rapping out. Speed test: Contestants were rewarded for speed and articulation. Spoken word: Contestants were challenged to write and perform the spoken word.
The competitions started in September 2019 and have been running for 6 months before the grand finale on Sunday, 8th March 2020 when the winners were announced.
MTN Uganda has been at the forefront of developing this music genre that has since grown from being only popular in High School and Karaoke to become one of the most loved music genre today led by the decent of Lugaflow, a type of music that accounts for almost 90% of urban music played today.
The other interventions the telecom giant has undertaken to develop this music genre is the support of the MTN HipHop awards now in its 4th year, to celebrate the contribution of individuals and organisations to this industry while awarding leading rappers.
- Shs20million given to rays of hope Hospice to boost palliative care in the region
- Many rural women in the region dying from cervical and breast cancer due to ignorance and poverty. Funds will be used for education and clinical services including early detection and treatment.
- In 2019, 33% of Rays of Hope Hospice enrolled women suffered from cervical cancer while 21% had breast cancer
The MTN Uganda Foundation has boosted Palliative care activities in Busoga sub-region with a shs20million cash donation.
The donation was handed over to the Executive Director Rays of Hope Hospice Jinja by the CEO MTN Uganda Wim Vanhelleputte during a brief ceremony at the MTN Uganda offices at Nyonyi gardens.
Rays of Hope Hospice is a non-governmental organization that provides palliative care to improve the quality of life for people with life-threatening illnesses and their families in Busoga region and the neighboring districts.
“In 2019, 33% of our enrolled women with cancer suffered from cervical cancer and 21% had breast cancer so we started education and screening for early diagnosis and treatment for these two most common cancers in Uganda, but we are limited by financing, the need is great. So we are grateful to MTN for coming to our rescue and call on others to join the struggle not just in Busoga but the whole country,” Sylvia Nakami explained the Executive Director.
“The absolute poverty and last-mile isolation of our clients means ray of Hope Hospice is often our patients last hope for treatment and care making our work immense and a crucial challenge. We can’t do this all on our own but with support from everyone, we can save several lives,” Nakami further explained.
Many of the victims are mothers or sexually active people. “If a mother dies leaving her children that will be another problem, that’s why we do everything we can to save the mother or if they don’t make it, at least it will be more dignified.”
Vanhelleputte said he was delighted to work with a partner that puts every cent they get into good use and promised to continue supporting the work of the NGO.