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The Chief Executive Officer of MTN-UGANDA, Mr. Wim Vanhelleputte has today handed over 3 Brand new Nissan Hard body pickups to H.E. The President, The Prime Minister & the Covid19 task force. The three cars that are meant to ease transport issues in the Covid19 Pandemic were handed over this morning at the Kololo Airstrip in Kampala.

The three Pick-ups, together with the ugx.220m that MTN contributed towards National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC)  and ugx.297m donated to the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) bring MTN’s contribution in the fight against covid19 to over 1 billion Uganda shillings. MTN’s contribution to NWSC was geared towards providing water to the people living in water-stressed areas around Kampala in a bid to promote hand washing as one of the ways to prevent the spread of the deadly Coronavirus while the contribution to URCS was to aid in their duties of combatting the deadly virus respectively.

Apart from enabling its 12 million customers to send money for free and help family and friends to take care of themselves amidst this devastating pandemic, the telecom is also making it possible for people to work from home and keep earning by providing affordable internet. The internet bundle dubbed “work from home” is meant to promote the concept of ‘social distancing’ to further prevent the spread of the desolating corona virus.

MTN is further supporting government’s sensitization drive by availing free media channel space (radio, tv, social media, sms, call center IVR platform) to promote Ministry of Health’s sensitization messages. The Telecom also zero rated all its learning platforms to support school-going children to study online from home without data.

Additionally, MTN has also offered some of its call center space to ministry of health officials to take calls from the public regarding Covid19 emergencies and information

To facilitate the flow of information, MTN Uganda has also 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 www.who.int, www.health.go.ug and www.covid.gou.go.ug

While the country is contending with this imminent catastrophe, MTN remains a dependable partner and is committed to continue working with government, to reduce the impact and disruption that the covid19 pandemic is having on the lives of Ugandans.

 

 

 

 

Friday 24th April 2020: MTN Uganda has continued its long-standing relationship with the Muslim community in Uganda by joining them again this year to commemorate the holy month of Ramadan.

This year, the holy month starts at a challenging time when the whole world is grappling with the COVID 19 pandemic which has affected the livelihoods of many. MTN will continue supporting the national effort by supporting the Muslim community with food items and alms worth UGX 100 million throughout the fasting period. These alms will be delivered daily under the guidance of the National Task Force Against COVID to various communities that need this relief, more so during this fasting period.

The food items/alms that include sugar, rice, posho, cooking oil, beans, bar soap for handwashing and wheat flour will be distributed to the vulnerable communities especially in the areas of Kampala, Wakiso and Mukono district. MTN will be working with Salaam TV/Foundation to reach out to the different communities during the fasting period.

Alongside the food and alms, MTN has also launched a promotional offer which will automatically give customers 60minutes of talk every night, when they load airtime or buy a voice/data bundle (using MTN MoMo or through an agent) worth UGX 500/- or more during the day. The 60 minutes are however free. This promotional offer will end with the holy month of Ramadhan and is also open to all MTN customers.

“First of all, we would like to congratulate the Muslim community upon reaching this fasting season. We have always joined them in celebrating the fasting period. This time round, it falls at a very difficult time due to covid 19, giving us even more reason to stand with them,” said Wim Vanhelleputte, MTN Uganda CEO.

Fasting during the holy month is one of the five pillars of Islam, which also include prayer and charity.

“During this period, we know that our Muslim brothers and sisters would like to stay in touch as they conduct prayers but cannot congregate. We are therefore launching the MTNite Calls promotional offer that will allow them to share in prayer particularly at night during Ramadhan,” Vanhelleputte said.

“Alongside that, we shall also provide food and other alms to help during the fasting season. This year, our motivation to support those fasting, but in need, has been further increased because of the effects of the COVID pandemic on livelihoods. We wish them a peaceful Ramadan season,” concluded Wim.

 

 

 

 

 

 

MTN Uganda has today announced an exciting promotional offer that will enable customers to make calls and stay in touch with friends and family between 10pm and 8am in the morning for only UGX100.

The offer is dubbed “Kafyu Calls” following the curfew conditions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Whereas Ugandans are being encouraged to keep a distance between themselves, MTN Uganda’s 12 million subscribers now have this affordable offer that enables them to stay in touch with each other.

By enabling individuals to stay in touch remotely, this offer by MTN Uganda further promotes the social distancing directive, a measure encouraged by the Ministry of health as one of the many ways to prevent the spread of coronavirus Covid19.

Commenting on the offer, Wim Vanhelleputte, MTN’s Chief Executive Officer said that, “In these unprecedented times of hardship we have a responsibility to stand with the people of Uganda and make it as affordable as possible for them to stay connected with their dear ones, many of whom are today distanced from each other with no other way to connect but through their mobile phones. Whether it is to check on your parents upcountry or to call for emergency help at night, the MTN Kafyu call bundle makes it much more affordable to keep talking.”

MTN customers can activate their Kafyu calls using airtime or mobile money by either dialing *160*19# or through their My MTN App. These calls can be made between MTN to MTN customers.

From sending any amount of money for free, to the affordable work from home data bundles and now the Kafyu calls, MTN is committed to making it easier and more affordable for its customers to stay in touch during these hard times.

 

As part of the country’s continued efforts to fight the virus, MTN through the MTN Foundation donated 297m to the Uganda Red Cross society for its relief efforts to the people of Uganda who are affected by the pandemic. Furthermore, MTN established a MoMoPay account where customers can donate money to the relief effort. Customers who wish to donate, can dial *165*3*191919# and contribute any amount of money directly to the Uganda Red Cross.

Additionally, MTN supported National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) with 220m/- to provide 23 bulk water points as part of an initiative by NWSC to install a total of 100 water points aimed at supplying water to water stressed areas of Kampala.

MTN also made it free for customers who want to check for covid19 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 also zero-rated several education websites so that kids continue learning as much as possible while at home. The free websites can be seen at www.mtn.co.ug/LearnAtHome

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About MTN Uganda

Launched in 1998, MTN Uganda is the leading communications operator in Uganda, offering Mobile and Fixed telecommunications, Mobile Money Services and Internet Service Provisioning. As at 31st December 2018, MTN Uganda recorded 11.2 million subscribers across Uganda. Visit us at www.mtn.co.ug or follow us on

www.youtube.com/mtnug and www.twitter.com/mtnug or www.twitter.com/mtnugpro for assistance.

About the MTN Group

Launched in 1994, the MTN Group is a leading emerging market operator with a clear vision to lead the delivery of a bold new digital world to our 240 million customers in 21 countries in Africa and the Middle East. We are inspired by our belief that everyone deserves the benefits of a modern connected life. The MTN Group is listed on the JSE Securities Exchange in South Africa under the share code “MTN”. We are pursuing our BRIGHT strategy with a major focus on growth in data, fintech and digital businesses.

For more information, please contact:

The mediadesk.ug@mtn.com or 077 212 1372 or

Emmy Olaki at emmy.olaki@tbwa-uganda.com or 078 260 5997

 

National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) and MTN Uganda have joined hands to provide 23 bulk water points as part of an initiative by NWSC and partnering companies to install a total of 100 water points aimed at supplying water to water stressed areas of Kampala during the Coronavirus (COV19) outbreak.

The areas to benefit from the water points include those areas at the periphery of the water supply network which currently receive intermittent supply or no water at all. Each of the 100 water points will be installed with a 10,000 liter capacity water tank that will supply water at the official NWSC public tap tariff of UGx 25shs per 20 liter jerry can.

Whereas Kampala Water is currently able to produce 240 million liters of water per day, peak demand is 300 million liters per day. To bridge this shortfall, NWSC is currently undertaking the construction of a 240 million liter per day capacity water treatment plant in Katosi to the East of Kampala. The first phase to be completed in January 2021 will deliver 160 million liters of water per day to the greater Kampala supply network.

The partnership with MTN will provide short term relief to NWSC customers in water stressed areas as NWSC undertakes the completion of the Katosi Water Treatment Plant. MTN has provided UGX 220 million towards the partnership. Under the partnership, the NWSC will install 23 bulk water points and purchase a water bowser that will be used to ensure regular supply of water to these water points.

This initiative has received support from other corporate companies under the CEO forum with Roofings Uganda Ltd contributing UGx 100M towards the same cause. Over 30,000 households will benefit from this joint water supply intervention. The areas to benefit include Kyengera (Nagalabi-Kisozi), Wakiso-Kikoro, Mukono-Kasenge, Seeta (Kagala-Bukelele), Kyaliwajjala, Kijabijo, Kiteezi, Kiryagonja (Bulindo-Kira-Nsasa-Kilyamuli), Matugga-Buwuzume, Bulenga-Ganda-Bulenga, Kyebando Central, Gayaza, Nateete, Upper Nalumunye, Nansana, Kireka-Kamuli, Wakiso-Ssenge, Nansana-Gganda, Namagoma, Mukono-Nakapinyi, Ndejje-Ggangu, Najjanankumbi-Kitiko among other areas

We are grateful for this partnership with MTN Uganda and Roofings Uganda during this COVID-19 outbreak where water is a critical input in the prevention of infection and spread of the virus. NWSC is committed to provide water for all during this sensitive period

Commenting on this initiative, the MTN Uganda Chief Executive Officer – Wim Vanhelleputte, said that this partnership alongside several others implemented in the effort to fight covid-19, are a demonstration of the brand’s commitment to support Ugandan’s in our hour of need. “MTN believes that the resilience of communities is strongest when people work together. That is why MTN, working through institutions like NWSC, is supporting the delivery of much needed water to underserved areas in the fight to avert a covid-19 pandemic in the country.”