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MTN is adding its voice to the global drive to raise awareness about the importance of wearing masks with today’s launch of the #WearItForMe campaign across its 21 African and Middle Eastern markets.

 

To help drive this much-needed change in behaviour, MTN is committing its September 2020 marketing resources towards encouraging everyone to adopt wearing masks so as to save lives.            

                                                                                   

As Uganda and the world at large try to navigate the “new normal” brought about by covid -19, wearing masks remains one of the most effective preventative measures to slow the spread of the virus however, many people remain reluctant to wear them, wear them incorrectly, or still feel it is not important.

 

“In Uganda over the last weeks we have reported unprecedented record high numbers of new Covid19 cases with the numbers soaring each day. It’s  upon this  growing concern witnessed across various MTN markets that we decided to  dedicate  resources yet again towards  something that we believe  can make a big difference in curbing the spread of this deadly disease,” says MTN Uganda Chief Executive Officer, Wim Vanhelleputte.

 

“ This fight calls for concerted efforts, Wearing a mask correctly is something each one of us can do to protect ourselves and loved ones for it has been proven to be one of the most effective preventive methods in slowing  and stopping  the spread of the Corona Virus. I however encourage Ugandans to alongside wearing the mask correctly, to continue observing the other Standard Operating Procedures including  staying at home where possible, social distancing as well as hand washing and sanitising among others,” says Vanhelleputte.

 

#WearItForMe is the next phase in MTN’s covid-19 response under Y’ello Hope – MTN’s umbrella initiative which provides much-needed support during times of societal need.

 

It is a powerful call-to-action using the voice of some of the most influential figures within our communities and across the continent; our mothers, and mother-figures. The campaign will see mothers and mother-figures sending heartfelt messages to their children, and all the children of Africa, to wear their masks to protect themselves and their loved ones.

 

“As part of the campaign, MTN will also be distributing 100,000 masks to customers through the MTN service centres across the country” said Vanhelleputte while launching the #WearItForMe campaign.

 

MTN’s #WearItForMe campaign will build on the several interventions that MTN carried out since the covid 19 breakout in March 2020 under the Y’ello Hope initiative that is aimed at brightening lives and limiting the impact of the pandemic.

 

During this time, MTN has prioritised looking after its people, customers, communities and networks while focusing on efficiencies to help mitigate the pandemic and its effects on livelihoods. Initiatives ranged from special data bundles and zero-rated access to educational sites. In addition, utilising technological solutions for contact tracing and dissemination of information through the Africa COVID Communication & Information Platform across our 21 markets.

 

At the onset of the COVID19 crisis in the country, MTN Uganda allocated media space worth shs316million to the ministry of Health to run the much needed COVID19 communication across different media. To facilitate a free flow of information, the Telecom zero-rated the Ministry of health website to enable people get timely information without the need for data.

 

When the country started registering cases of COVID19, MTN set up a fully equipped call center at the MTN Head offices to support the Ministry of health work force in terms of receiving calls from members of the public seeking referrals and those seeking general information about the deadly coronavirus.

 

To support the movement of both logistics and members of the Covid19 Task Force as it spearheads the country’s fight against the pandemic, MTN recently donated three brand new Nissan Hard Body pick-ups to the Office of the Prime Minister.

 

In a bid to promote hand washing and hygiene as one of the ways to prevent the spread of the fatal coronavirus, MTN provided another Shs.220million to National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) to provide relief to the masses of people living in water stressed parts in and around Kampala. This is because water is especially important in the COVID19 fight as hand washing is very critical.

 

MTN also provided another Shs.294million to the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) for surveillance, screening, psychological support in the high risk areas and border points across the country.

 

“MTN is committed to supporting the Government in the fight against Corona virus., We are adding our voice to that of the Ministry of Health and reminding you to wear your masks correctly everywhere you go,” concludes Vanhelleputte.

 

#WearItForMe will run throughout the month of September. Visit www.wearitfor.me to send a message to someone encouraging them to do the right thing. #WearItForMe; because when we all wear masks, we protect each other.

 

 About Y’ello Hope

Acknowledging the role and responsibility to make a meaningful difference and impact in the lives of all, Y’ello Hope is MTN’s highly targeted response initiative harnessing the power of MTN through our brand, resources, capabilities, and technology to brighten lives across Africa and Middle East. Driven with passion and dedication by MTN across our footprint, Y’ello Hope’s purpose is to support in employees, consumers, society, and government during times of societal crisis and need bringing relief, hope, and optimism where needs are greatest.

 

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 0772 123 067 or Rhona.Arinaitwe@mtn.com

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

The Ministry of Health has today officially opened the newly refurbished and equipped Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Kawempe National Referral Hospital in Kampala.

The NICU was fully refurbished and equipped with support from the MTN Uganda Foundation and the official partners of the MTN Kampala Marathon, with technical support from UNFPA.

MTN Uganda, working through UNFPA invested a total of UGX 363,915,250 into the Kawempe National Referral Hospital NICU. These funds are the proceeds of the MTN Kampala Marathon that is run with support from partners including Rwenzori, Huawei, New Vision and Stanbic Bank.

With the rapid population growth within the catchment area, Kawempe Hospital has had challenges including congestion in the NICU, as well as lack of up-to-date equipment. The Ministry of Health reached out to partners including UNFPA and MTN to support with the refurbishment and re-equipping the facility.

Speaking at the official opening of the NICU today, the Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng said that the concerted government efforts notwithstanding, Uganda’s child mortality ratio of 336 per 100,000 live births is still high.

“The only way we can pay our partners back is to work hard and use the facility well to ensure that babies don’t die. Just saying thank you to them is not enough. What they want to see is no more pictures of baby posted on social media or the stories we keep on hearing about mothers and children dying in labor,” Aceng said

Wim Vanhelleputte, the Chief Executive Officer, MTN Uganda said that the Telecom is concerned about the high maternal and child mortality rate in the country and is committed to supporting government to change the narrative.

With proceeds from MTN Kampala marathon that is run every year, for the last sixteen years, MTN has supported various causes ranging from providing safe water to water stressed areas in Uganda to providing sanitation facilities in schools, among many interventions.

In the last three years however, maternal and child health have headlined the MTN Kampala Marathon with all the proceeds going towards complementing the government of Uganda’s efforts towards maternal health.

According to Wim, a total of UGX 900,000,000 shillings was raised from the MTN Marathons of 2018 and 2019 combined. The MTN Foundation topped up with UGX 450,000,000 shillings to bring it to UGX 1,350,000,000 shillings that will be used to refurbish child and maternal health facilities across the country.

The other health centers that will benefit from the Marathon proceeds include; Muyembe Health Center IV in Bulambuli district, Pakwach HC IV in Pakwach district, Kalangala HC IV in Kalangala district, and Karugutu HC IV in Ntoroko district. Works in Muyembe HC IV in Bulambuli district have also been completed.

“Early this year, we renovated and equipped the maternity ward at Mpugwe Health Center III in Masaka district. Also, as we marked 20 years of existence in Uganda, we as MTN decided to give back to Uganda through refurbishing and equipping eight maternity wards across the country. I am pleased to note that our partners have also committed to support the government of Uganda in extending such services to the communities where they are needed most. ” Wim said.

“It gives me great joy to witness yet another memorable occasion when we see fruits of a great partnership between UNFPA, MTN Foundation and the Ministry of Health. UNFPA takes pride in engaging in this kind of partnerships that create shared opportunities, while leveraging each other’s added value to actualize interventions to achieve universal sexual and reproductive health and rights, reduce maternal death, and improve the lives of women and girls,” said Mr. Alain Sibenaler, the UNFPA Representative said.