Douglas Smith is an ardent lover of sports. The amor dates back to when the gentleman was young, barely aged enough to go to school. Every chance he got to play, it was football; soccer as some may like to call it. Fast forward, Smith has taken his love even further to play football for several clubs.

For the years he played, Smith always used balls made out of banana fibers because he could not afford those on the market.

‘Ehihajo’, they called them. ‘Ehihajo’ was the runyankole word used to mean expensive ball.

What flustered him was that despite the fact that the balls were imported, they were not durable, and yet cost an arm and a leg to buy.

So for the past three years, Smith, who runs a not for profit organisation called ‘The Smith Soccer Foundation’ which uses the power of soccer to bring about a positive social impact in communities, embarked on research that would later see him make his own soccer balls out of recycled plastic.

“Most of the soccer balls used in Uganda are imported. There hasn’t been any football manufacturing company in Uganda. Most of the imported soccer balls are very expensive and not durable. Also I came to find out that in Uganda over 2000 metric tons of waste is generated of which around 30% is plastic. After doing intensive research and studies, I came up with the idea of manufacturing soccer balls locally from recycled plastic waste,” he reveals, never mind that he was pursuing a diploma in medical laboratory technology.

Sportrise is born

At the dawn of 2020, Sportrise was born. Sportrise is a social enterprise company in Ibanda locally manufacturing durable and affordable soccer balls from recycled plastic waste.

Smith’s raw material is Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE) which is the commonest type of plastic in Uganda as it is derived from disposable plastic water and soda bottles.

It takes around 100 plastic bottles to make one ball.

“We have up to 10 plastic collection centres in Ibanda. We employ some young people that do the collections. We are currently innovating a digital way of encouraging young people to earn as they collect and drop plastic at our collection centres,” he narrates.

At Sportrise, Smith employs 27 people directly and indirectly including those that collect the plastic for recycling.

In one year, the 27 year old has earned about UGX12million from selling soccer balls and sportswear.

“We have made UGX12 million in sales from both Sportrise balls and Sportrise wear since May 2020 and have so far raised UGX120 million in seed funding. Whereas currently our sport wear is made of fabric, we are presently undertaking research on the feasibility of manufacturing sportswear (sportrise wear– including jerseys and footwear) from recycled plastic waste,” he says.

Currently an ordinary Sportrise ball goes for UGX40,000 and UGX50,000 for those that are customized.

Whereas Sportrise clientele are predominantly sports shops, local clubs, corporate companies, schools, individuals & politicians, the young lad from Mirambi Cell, Ibanda District has now embarked on partnering with football clubs to grow his sales.

“Last year we signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ibanda Municipal SC 3rd division team as their official kit sponsor on a 2 year deal while they also play using our Sportrise balls. We plan to partner with many more clubs,” he explains.

Challenges

But being a first time business founder venturing in virgin territory of local football manufacturing, Smith has been faced with some challenges.

“Uganda has no football manufacturing plant where the team can benchmark to learn more about the ball making process. This calls for flying out of the country which is costly for a startup. Heavy reliance on imported products also limits acceptability of my local product,” he says.

Smith is skilled by MTN

Sportrise was the overall winner of the MTN ‘For Good Campaign’ having emerged victorious out of 100 participants that took part in 2020.

Owing to his victory, Smith was given a free pass to the MTN Foundation Youth Skilling Program (MYSP) which seeks to inspire and empower youth to become job creators through imparting financial and digital skills business knowledge. The MYSP, a partnership between MTN and Ubinufu systems hosts 100 participants trained in legal and taxation, computer essentials and technical skills among others.

Smith says; “The MTN Youth Skilling Program has really helped me a lot especially about financial management, record keeping, leadership etc. Being a first time founder, it was difficult running a startup company and leading my team but with the MTN Youth Skilling Program I now have over 80% of the skills. I think in the future I will strive not to make mistakes.”

As winner of the For Good Campaign, Smith was awarded 60GB for 6 months which he used to undertake more research and running his website. In addition, Smith says, the MTN ‘For Good campaign’ endorsement has enabled Sportrise to win several competitions and raise some money as well.

Nelson Munyanda, senior manager MTN Foundation says Sportrise is an example of a green company which falls in line with MTN’s environmental and social governance policy.

“It seeks to conserve the world through waste management which is a challenge for many in Uganda. At MYSP, the goal is to empower the youth to create ICT driven solutions to challenges in their community and I think Sportrise speaks to that,” he notes.

Like any other startup, Sportrise still faces some challenges which it will need to overcome before it can carry on with its ambition of scaling and competing on the global market.

• MTN WakaNet MAX is a home Internet solution that offers affordable and reliable 4G data connectivity to multiple family members (up to 32 gadgets), with a single WakaNet MAX router.
• With MTN WakaNet MAX, customers get to work, study, get quality entertainment and keep their homes secure with CCTV security cameras, all supported by MTN’s superfast and affordable 4G internet.
• The MTN WakaNet MAX starter kit comes at an initial cost of UGX 245,000 which includes the one-off cost of the router and 35GB data bundle with no expiry.
• The data on MTN WakaNet MAX does not expire, meaning that customers can use it for as long as it is available and until it runs out. Top-up bundles go for as low as low as UGX 55,000 for 20GB.
• Other WakaNet MAX bundle options include;

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MTN Uganda, in line with its vision of delivering a bold new digital world to its customers is set to transform Uganda’s homes into smart homes with MTN WakaNet MAX, a home Internet solution that offers affordable and reliable 4G data connectivity to multiple family members, with a single WakaNet MAX router. With a single WakaNet MAX kit, a family can have up to 32 internet enabled devices connected to superfast 4G internet.

Derived from the Luganda word “Waka” which literally means “home”, WakaNet MAX is a home internet solution for today’s modern homes that have many smart devices such as smart phones, laptops, security cameras, smart TVs, smart refrigerators, tablets and gaming consoles among others.

This offer comes at a time when many people are working and studying from home as a safety precaution because of covid 19. MTN WakaNet MAX is affordable and convenient for households that need the internet for work, school, entertainment, and security needs among others.

Somdev Sen, the MTN Uganda Chief Marketing Officer said that MTN is intent on realizing its vision of delivering a bold new digital world to its customers, more so in times like these when connectivity to the home is so crucial.

“One of the ways we are delivering a bold new digital world to our customers is by ensuring that every home has access to affordable and reliable superfast internet. As we all know the internet has become an essential part of our lives especially in these times where we are required to do a lot more at home. MTN WakaNet MAX ensure ensures that our customers are able to work, study, transact business, get entertainment as well as secure their homes with CCTV, all powered by reliable Internet from MTN,” said Somdev.

Apart from data bundles that have no expiry date, another exciting feature of MTN WakaNet MAX is its router, which has an inbuilt battery that ensures internet availability even when the home loses power.

Customers can purchase the MTN WakaNet MAX kit at selected service centers across the country at only UGX 245,000. The kit includes 35GB that has no expiry date and the plug and play MTN WakaNet MAX router. To recharge, customers can simply go to the MyMTN App or dial *177# to recharge for as low as UGX 55,000 for 20GB. Other data bundle top-up packages include 40GB for UGX 85,000, 85GB for UGX 170,000 and 195GB for UGX 335,000, all with no expiry date.

• As part of the celebrations of the 15 million customers milestone, MTN has given away UGX15 million to the 15 millionth customer on the network.
• 24-year-old Jamirah Nalukwago from Kyanuuna Village in Busunju, Wakiso district was the lucky 15 millionth Customer.
• Nalukwago will pocket UGX 5 million for herself and share UGX 10 million with ten other MTN customers of her choice, each taking away UGX 1 million.

 

MTN Uganda has handed over UGX 15 million to its 15 millionth customer, Jamirah Nalukwago, a resident of Kyanuuna village in Busunju county in Wakiso district.

The cash prize to the 15 millionth customer is MTN Uganda’s way of celebrating the big milestone while at the same time thanking customers for embracing the ever-growing network. Now with 15 million customers, MTN has further reinforced its number one position as Uganda’s biggest and most preferred network.

Wim Vanhelleputte, the MTN Chief Executive Officer handed over the UGX 15 million dummy cheque to Nalukwago in a press conference held today at the MTN Headquarters along Jinja Road in Kampala.

While handing over the symbolic UGX 15 million dummy cheque to Nalukwago, Wim Vanhelleputte thanked her for choosing MTN.

“You made the right choice by joining the biggest and the best network. Senkyu (thank you) for being the unique customer who joined the network a few days ago, as the 15 millionth customer. We are very happy that you made the right choice and we are happy to celebrate with you the unique history of our company,” said Vanhelleputte to Nalukwago.

The overwhelmed Nalukwago who could hardly believe her luck, being one of the newest customers on the MTN network, said that she chose MTN because of its clear network and good services.

“I am too too happy! I decided to buy an MTN line because of the MTN Senkyu loyalty program and its clear network. MTN is the best Network in the world,” said Nalukwago while receiving her cheque. She was accompanied by her husband, Ibrahim Kakaire and their two children.

In line with MTN’s #GoodTogether belief that fosters the spirit of togetherness and sharing, Nalukwago gets to pocket UGX 5 million as the winner and share the remaining UGX 10 million with her loved ones. Nalukwago chose to share her winning with her husband, mother, father and siblings among others, who will all receive their money from MTN through MTN MoMo.

“I will use part of my winnings to construct a house and to start a business,” said Nalukwago who has until now, been a stay-at-home mom.

According to Wim, reaching the 15 million customer milestone is a great achievement for MTN Uganda and it goes to show that more people are embracing the benefits of a modern connected life that MTN delivers.

“We made 10 million customers in 2017. And now in 3 and a half years, we now have another 5 million customers bringing our subscriber base to 15 million customers,” said Vanhelleputte who attributed the significant growth partly to the growing population of Uganda but also importantly, MTN’s commitment to better service delivery.

Vanhelleputte further noted that the achievement of 15 million customers is simply the beginning of yet another race to the next milestone as MTN is intent on giving everyone in Uganda the benefits of a modern connected life. The CEO lauded the management and staff of MTN Uganda as well as the MTN subscribers, the Government, and regulator as well as technology partners for their support to MTN in achieving this 15 million customer milestone.

• MTN Uganda’s CEO and Staff send congratulatory messages to the Kabaka and wish him a long peaceful reign.

• MTN Uganda continues to enjoy a cordial relationship with the Kingdom and the people of Buganda as well as the other Kingdoms in the country.

MTN Uganda extends its best wishes to the Kabaka of Buganda, His Majesty Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II and all the people of Buganda as the Kingdom celebrates the 28th coronation anniversary of their reigning King. Kabaka Mutebi II who ascended to the throne on 31st July 1993 is the is the 36th King of Buganda Kingdom, the largest Kingdom in Uganda.
This year’s coronation anniversary is happening today in Buddu County, Lwengo District at the Kabaka’s palace in Nkoni village. In observance of the Covid 19 standard operating procedures, this year’s coronation will have a few people in attendance as was the case last year.

As a company that enjoys a cordial relationship with the Kingdom of Buganda, MTN has always held colorful celebrations at its offices and service centers to offer tribute to the King of Buganda on his coronation anniversaries. This year has however been different due to the on-going Covid 19 pandemic.
Nevertheless, MTN staff spearheaded by the Chief Executive officer, Wim Vanhelleputte, took time to congratulate His Majesty Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II upon his 28th coronation. In his message, Vanhelleputte congratulated the Kabaka and wished him a long and peaceful reign.

“On behalf of MTN, I would like to congratulate the Kabaka of Buganda, His Majesty Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II upon his 28th coronation anniversary. I and everyone at MTN extend our best wishes to you and all the people of Buganda. Ayi Mukama Kuuma Kabaka Waffe, Wangaala ayi Ssabasajja”, said Vanhelleputte.

Vanhelleputte further noted that MTN reveres kingdoms because they are a strong community establishment that fosters shared beliefs and unity of purpose, a fact that proliferates MTN’s #GoodTogether concept that recognizes how much can be achieved through such relations among different entities.

Apart from Vanhelleputte, a selection of MTN staff also paid tribute to the Kabaka on behalf of the company. They include, Joseph Bogera, the General Manager Sales & Distribution, Margaret Nantongo, the Quality Assurance supervisor, Aisha Nakiryowa, a quality assessor, Sumayah Naluyima, an administrator and Omulangira Lukanga Moses, the call center team leader.
MTN Uganda wishes the Kingdom of Buganda happy deliberations upon the 28th coronation anniversary of His Majesty Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II and remains committed to working with the Kingdom and the people of Buganda for the years to come.

MTN Uganda has cemented its leadership position in the telecom industry in Uganda with a new milestone, hitting 15 million subscribers in July 2021.

As part of celebrations to this landmark, MTN Uganda is giving away UGX 15 million to the 15^th million customer. Of that amount, the customer will take UGX 5 million and share the remaining UGX 10 million with ten other MTN customers of their choice.

“This is a major milestone for us as MTN Uganda and worth celebrating. So, we are giving away a UGX 15 million cash prize to that lucky customer. He will take home UGX 5 million for himself and share UGX 10 million with 10 other MTN customers, who he/she will randomly draw. Each of the ten customers he chooses or draws will bag UGX 1 million. This could be anyone, anywhere on the MTN network in Uganda,” announced MTN Uganda CEO – Wim Vanhelleputte.

In a country with 28 million subscribers, MTN Uganda continues to demonstrate market share leadership with over 50% of total subscriber base in the country.

Commenting on the result, MTN Uganda CEO Wim Vanhelleputte said, “The management and staff of MTN Uganda are proud to have achieved the 15 million subscriber landmark. We are grateful to our subscribers, the Government, our regulator as well as technology partners for their support to us in achieving this”.

Before 2018, Busiu Health Centre IV in Mbale district received about 60 women delivering at the facility every month.

The health center which at the time had very limited beds tried to house the mothers for at least 24 hours for purposes of medical review in vain.

“Initially we would tell the mother to stay around for 24 hours but when there was no room for the mother to sleep, she would go away,” Dr. Maumbe Bernard the in-charge of Busiu Health Centre IV narrates.

The early departure of the mothers from the health center was one of the reasons why some of the newly born babies died soon after. About 3 babies were dying in a period of three months.

Today, child mortality at the health center is near extinguished. According to Dr. Maumbe, the health center now goes three months without recording any deaths.

These results are a culmination of combined efforts by the hospital and MTN Uganda.

MTN in the evening of 2018 donated beds and blankets to the health center which have since enabled more pregnant women seek maternity health care services.

The beds have allowed women stay over for a longer period enabling medical review of the mother and baby.

“Before we would have around 60 deliveries and now over a month, an average of 120 mothers are delivering from here but some months peak to 200. Antenatal visits are about 80 to 100,” he explains adding that hospital efforts of availing medicine have also played a key role in this outcome.

The telecom company also renovated the maternity ward which Dr Maumbe says has contributed to encouraging mothers to visit the health centre to seek proper medical antenatal services

In fact, the impact is far-reaching as Busiu health center IV has now graduated to become a referral station for women in neighboring towns of Butaleja and Manafwa.

Kyenjojo hospital tells the same tale. The hospital received 30 beds and 30 mattresses from MTN which were installed in the general ward. Charles Tusiime, the health officer of Kyenjojo district says these beds have been very instrumental in delivering treatment to the people from the western district.

“The impact much as patients may not know is great. One bed can be used by so many people. In a month you find one bed has served about 5 to 10 people with bed occupancy of about 3 days,” he said.

As he recounts, the hospital in the past would times get overwhelmed by the numbers which would force some of the patients to sleep on the floor, a situation they described as floor cases.

Tusiime says the hospital no longer has floor cases in its general ward because of the MTN intervention.

The intervention has also reduced the burden for the hospital allowing it to focus on other aspects in regards to its budget and procurement.

“What we would have been using for procurement of beds has been diverted to construction of 2 emptiable pit latrines which have addressed the costs associated with the hospital’s sewerage system” he says.

MTN under the UGX400m access to health care initiative supported health centres and hospitals through refurbishing of maternity wards and donation of beddings such as blankets, mosquito nets, mattresses and beds.

Similarly, some of the health centres received solar lighting equipment and had their entire water system connected.

A total of 8 health centres and 5 hospitals across the country were supported.

Wim Vanhelleputte, MTN Uganda Chief executive officer lauded the hospitals and health centre staff saying MTN is pleased with the impact they have managed to drive in the community.

“I am very delighted to see the ripple effect of the donation. It makes us at MTN very happy to see lives of many people impacted and for that I would like to thank the medical staff making this happen. As MTN, we shall constantly seek to find ways of transforming lives of Ugandans,” he appreciated.

MTN Uganda has launched a dedicated online Home of UG Sports dubbed “MTN Sports” to give all Ugandan sports enthusiasts a one-stop point for all sports related news, analysis, and updates. This innovation is hinged on the MTN’s belief in delivering the benefits of a modern connected world to its customers.

Since it opened shop in Uganda over 20 years ago, MTN’s proactive role in sports has positioned the brand as the biggest supporter of local sports through its sponsorships, partnerships and active engagements with the various sports disciplines including football and athletics, among others.

While launching the MTN Sports website, Somdev Sen, the MTN Uganda Chief Marketing Officer said that MTN Uganda decided to launch the MTN sports website, a digital sports hub, to provide sports fans with comprehensive sports coverage of the very best that Ugandan sports has to offer. This idea was further fueled by the prevailing circumstances that have limited fans physical involvement at sports facilities. “That is why we have decided to bring the fun and thrill closer on the screens of our customers,” said Somdev

“Over the years, we have been big supporters of various sports disciplines in Uganda, including MTN Marathon, our support to broadcasting of the StarTimes Uganda premier football league, our continued partnership with local football clubs like KCCA and Onduparaka and support to talent development in other institutions, among others. Local sports, continues to be a major pillar in our sponsorship strategy,” Somdev further said.

Somdev noted that across the world these days, the excitement of sports has spread beyond the confines of stadia and captured the hearts and minds of many through the internet. As such, the new MTN sports website is now part of this digital outbreak of the sports fever across the country. While stadiums may remain empty due to the pandemic, sports fans will continue to remain in the thick of it through this exciting sports website.

Today, MTN Uganda remains known as the founder of the biggest Marathon and the inspiration behind the running culture through which a number of athletes have been nurtured. Additionally, the MTN is also the official broadcast partner of the StarTimes Uganda Premier League and official sponsor of Onduparaka FC as well as KCCA FC.

Visit sports.mtn.co.ug to catch the latest in your favourite sport and to know more about your favourite Ugandan sports personalities, features and more. Also keep up with our own Joshua Cheptegei and the Uganda Olympics team as they go for glory in Tokyo, all on the MTN sports website, the Home of UG Sports.

—–ENDS—–

 

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 31^st 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 customers. 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’. Our strategy, Ambition 2025, is anchored on building the largest and most valuable platform business, with a clear focus on Africa.

 

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

Patients in need of blood are receiving quicker treatment following an MTN Uganda donation of the automated blood component extractor to Uganda Blood Transfusion services (UBTS) which mines components faster.

Prior to the donation, UBTS used manual methods of blood component extraction which took about 30 minutes to extract samples from about ten samples compared to the one minute using the automated machine.

The process, Otekat says was slow leading to equally tortoise-paced service provision to hospitals and patients in need of blood components for treatment especially those in regional areas.

However, Ms Grace Otekat head of laboratories UBTS says the machine has now enabled the blood bank improve component extraction which is critical to the treatment of accident and cancer patients.

“Because of existence of the extractor, the number of components has increased. We can now extract 48 platelets from the 24 we used to get so now we have enough platelets. Because of presence of the machine, when other centres like Masaka, Mbarara request for extracts, we have enough to distribute to all of them,” she says.

Aside from Gulu and Mbale which have their own centrifuge; the machine used to separate the components of blood, UBTS supplies blood extracts to all other government hospitals countrywide.

According to Ms Otekat, UBTS supplies over 400 hospitals with blood components countrywide.

In July 2019, MTN, through the MTN Foundation donated UGX. 347 million for the purchase of the automatic blood plasma extractor machine along with three refrigerators to three regional blood banks.

The move was envisaged to improve blood processing and blood storage since fridges at some of the regional blood banks were old and characterised by frequent breakdowns.

For instance at Arua regional blood bank, breakdowns could happen as frequently as two to three times a month risking destruction of the blood.

Relieved Mbale regional hospital said challenges relating to storage are now addressed.

Similarly, UBTS has now doubled the number of components supplied to different hospitals culminating into increased availability and delivery to patients.

In addition, it has led to efficiency in blood extraction since more components are mined compared to the manual method where they used the naked eye.

Mr. Bryan Mbasa, the Senior Manager, MTN Foundation says MTN is proud to have been part of a process that has seen service delivery transform for the better around different hospitals of the country.

“We are glad to have contributed to the reform which has led to saving of more lives of different people in Uganda. As MTN, we prioritize the lives of not only our staff but also strive to improve the health conditions in the country at large,” he says.

He also applauded UBTS for its pivotal role in safeguarding human life in Uganda.

Why blood components are important

From blood, different components are extracted including plasma and platelets.

Plasma is used to make a range of essential pharmaceutical products, such as those used to treat people with immune deficiencies or bleeding disorders.

According to Red Cross, Platelets give cancer patients the strength they need to keep fighting.

A major side effect of treatment for cancer patients is low platelet count which without a platelet transfusion can lead to life-threatening bleeding because platelets help blood to clot.

Platelets also help patients survive major surgeries or serious injuries for example accidents since they help in blood clotting.

Platelets give strength to patients with blood disorders and those with transplants.

“Within an average of four hours, a non-refrigerated vaccine becomes ineffective,” Amos Asiku, the facility in charge at Bidibidi health centre III in Northern Uganda says.

Incidences of vaccines getting destroyed due to lack of refrigeration were common at the health centre which has been operational since 2016.

The health centre at the time had gas powered fridges with multiple mechanical faults causing breakdowns every so often, putting the vaccines at risk of getting destroyed. In addition, refilling of the gas in the fridge was strenuous since it was done from a distant area lasting multiple days.

“It had frequent breakdowns and when it went off, the faster you acted, the better, because the fridge would no longer be regulated, the vaccines would go bad which I termed as wasted because it can no longer be used,”Asiku recounts.

In the event of a break down, Bidibidi health centre III would move all the vaccines to a nearby government hospital for refrigeration which affected operation at the health centre in addition to time wastage.

The vaccine storage challenge affected about 150 people that visit the health centre on a daily basis including women and mothers in search for polio and early immunization vaccines.

In a twist of events, the hurdles became a story of the past after MTN in partnership with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) donated a solar powered fridge which would later become the salvation to a pandemic in the refugee settlement.

“MTN gave us a solar powered vaccine fridge that is able to run for 24 hours. It makes the antigens available for patients meaning they are able to access them at any time,” he says.

Some of the vaccines housed at the hospital include polio, HPV and most recently covid-19.

According to Asiku, the fridge has been very critical in safe keeping of the covid-19 vaccines which were received in May and have been administered in accordance with ministry of health guidelines.

“Covid-19 vaccines are also maintained on cold chain so we were able to maintain them under cold conditions to keep them safe until such a time when people wanted to take the vaccine,” he said.

As covid-19 cases rise in the country, the health centre is a medical relief to South Sudanese refugees and most recently Congolese refugees along with the area host community.

Bidibidi is only one of 10 health centres that were in dire need of refrigerators for vaccine preservation. In partnership with UNHCR, MTN handed over 10 solar fridges worth Shs600m to Odupi Health Centre III, Imvepi Refugee Settlement, .Swinga Health Centre II, Bidibidi Refugee Settlement.

Others included; Bangatuti Health Centre III, .Idiwa Health Centre III, Palorinya Refugee Settlement, PaludaHealth Centre II, Nakivale Refugee Settlement and Rulongo health centre II among others.

 

Rulongo health centre II in Isingiro is the converging area for refugees from Rwanda, Congo and Burundi. Like Bidibidi, Rulongo has greatly benefitted from the fridge especially during the pandemic.

 

“The problem we commonly get with vaccines is storage but this fridge is on 24 hours so you immunize and vaccinate clients at any time. For example we have already vaccinated people from covid-19,” Juliet Tuhirirwe, a midwife at Rulongo health centre 2 said.

 

Additionally, the fridges provided large space allowing for more doses of vaccines to be stored.

 

Speaking days after commemoration of the world refugee day, Conrad Olowo, Project Manager, MTN Foundation says MTN has over the years dedicated a lot of support to all communities including refugees in Uganda.

“We are glad to have played a critical role in strengthening the fight against covid-19. MTN through its operations also ensures to contribute to the fight against the virus through streamlining communication and financial services through mobile money,” he said.

 

He was reiterated by Wendy Daphne Kasujja the assistant Reporting Officer, External Engagement, UNHCR who affirmed that MTN has supported the refugees in Uganda and host communities with a focus on the health sector.

“Through their donation of medical fridges and construction of a full maternity ward in Palorinya refugee settlement, MTN has helped in ensuring that children get immunized, and contributed to the improvement of maternal and child health. The support received is not limited to refugees alone but includes the host communities in which they live, since refugees access the same government health facilities as the nationals,” she says.

UNHCR urged the private sector to support the refugee response in Uganda; a home to 1.5 million refugees and asylum-seekers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“An expectant mother in Buvuma hoped for a normal and safe delivery just like any other woman on earth. But for women in Buvuma, it was a matter of life or death. The health centre three on the island surrounded by water can only handle ordinary deliveries. In case of C-sections, the expectant mother would need to be ferried to Kiyindi town council, where she can be operated on. But the only ferry available rides on a schedule; three times a day,” former mayor kiyindi town council Dickson Kasujja Kabuye reminisces.

The Kiyindi-Buvuma route currently has one ferry that carries 120 passengers and 8 cars, making three trips each day between Kiyindi landing site in Buikwe district and Kirongo landing site in Buvuma district.

Essentially, there was no emergency medical relief for an expectant mother in need of operation on Buvuma Island.

It all changed in June last year when MTN donated an emergency ambulance water boat to Kiyindi.

The 15 Seater state-of-the-art water rescue vessel would be used to respond to water transport and health emergencies in Buvuma and Buikwe districts among other areas served by the Kiyindi landing site.

The modern water emergency rescue vessel made by Fisheries Training Institute, Entebbe and licensed by Ministry of Works and Transport was worth Ush 52 Million made of fibre glass, enveloped by a waterproof canopy and cushion seats.

It has a Yamaha outboard engine DT 40, anchor, 2 oars, fire extinguisher, 5 lifeguards, first aid box and patient stretcher.

According to Kabuye, the boat has been very useful in transporting patients from Buvuma to access medical services from Buikwe district.

“Almost 50 per cent of the people living in Buvuma are from Buikwe district so the boat helps us to transport them from Buvuma to the main island of Buikwe so it is very useful to us,” he says.

He goes on to narrate; “Previously, there was no way you could transport an expectant mother to Buikwe district because you had to wait for a ferry which moves in shifts. Now it is very easy to transport because this boat runs so fast,” he says.

The boat, Kabuye says takes about 30 minutes to move from Buvuma district to Buikwe mainland in Kiyindi for medical care.

The boat was also very essential during the days of lockdown during which covid-19 patients were transported from Buvuma to Buikwe for medical health care.

“We got about 3-5 COVID-19 patients from Buvuma so it would go and pick them and finds the motor ambulance stationed in Kiyindi,” he says.

Fishermen deaths mitigated

The tales were not unique to the town council. Fishermen live to hail the ambulance which has saved lives of many on the lake.

Paul Jumba, leader of fishermen in Kiyindi mans the emergency boat along with 2 others.  He narrates that on his many rides called upon by the town folk, he has saved many people from drowning.

“I have saved some people we have found drowning using our first aid kit,” he says.

But the commonest occurrence is the exhaustion of fuel in water boats on the lake.

“Since there is no petrol station on the lake, we run to the rescue of the fishermen on the lake,” he says.

Jumba also reveals that the boat has transported district officials around the islands to sensitise different members of the public on how to maintain standards of operation such as wearing masks and washing hands.

The donation of the emergency boat followed a request from the fishing community last year when MTN Uganda staff visited Kiyindi landing site to launch their annual staff voluntary program dubbed “21 days of y’ello care”.

Mr Patrick Tusiime, the regional commercial head said MTN is proud to have contributed to the safeguarding of lives around the islands only accessible through water.

“We appreciate the work accomplished by the team manning the boat. MTN prioritizes lives of the people we serve and we are glad that the boat is saving and helping many people in the region,” he also noted.