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MTN Uganda has in partnership with SIMFY AFRICA, launched a SuperApp called ‘ayoba’ that will enable customers to access more affordable communication. ayoba is an instant messaging app available for now for Android devices and soon for iOS and works with any network. What makes it different from other messaging apps is that you can still chat (app to SMS and SMS to app) with anyone regardless of whether they have the ayoba app or not. MTN customers can reply to these messages on SMS even when they don’t have the app. ayoba lets you securely send and receive text messages, voice messages, videos, images, audio and other files with any of your contacts, using your mobile internet connection.  MTN customers will however not need any data (MBs) to use the service. They can use it free of charge up to 1GB of data, every month.

ayoba is a Pan African messaging platform, built by Africans for Africans. It speaks to the uniqueness and diversity of Africa as it is built with lots of features not available on any other instant messaging platforms. The app is available in some African languages, such as Swahili, Luganda, Hausa, isiXhosa, and Yoruba. It has end-to-end encryption to keep users’ data safe and ensure their privacy as they chat with their contacts regardless of their device or network. ayoba also has channels on sports, fashion, cooking, health, and games.

In addition to texting, customers can also initiate voice calls with their contacts, from within the ayoba app. The call will be charged as a standard voice call using the customers’ available airtime or minutes.

“We are keen to see Africa actively participate in the global digital revolution that is now being further accelerated by the Covid-19 situation. Innovation and the connectivity that goes with it, are particularly key to our digital proposition. They are both crucial in our contribution to the social and economic transformation of our country, said Wim Vanhelleputte, MTN Uganda’s Chief Executive Officer.

“ayoba is not just a new platform for people to chat with each other, it is a one of a kind digital platform that elevates the concept of instant messaging to a whole new level of instant and integrated connecting”, Wim he added.

This innovation, underscores MTN’s leadership ambitions in innovation as it helps Africa claim its place in the IM evolution.

Speaking about this partnership, David Gilarranz CEO of SIMFY AFRICA, “We are delighted to partner with MTN in Uganda and to offer its customers the ability to use the app with no data costs. In the coming weeks, our app will surely become a super app as we will be adding more features, like mobile money and music, as well as allowing other apps to co-exist in ayoba. We would like to take this opportunity to thank MTN Uganda for trusting our journey”.

Key features of the ayoba app include:

MTN Uganda and the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) have today concluded the official signing of the License Renewal Agreement that will enable the telecommunication company continue its operations in the country for another 12 years, commencing 1st July 2020.

A joint press conference between MTN Uganda and the Regulatory body was held today at the UCC offices in Kampala to showcase the official signing of the new license.

This brings to an end, the long-standing negotiations between MTN Uganda, The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) and the government. This license renewal comes almost 2 years later, since MTN Uganda applied for a license renewal following the expiry of their 20 year license in October 2018.

MTN Uganda secured the12 year operating license at a fixed fee of USD 100 million (Approximately UGX 371.5 Billion) which was paid in full. The Telecom’s Second National Operator (SNO) License took effect on 1st July 2020.

Speaking at the license signing ceremony, the MTN Uganda Chief Executive Officer, Wim Vanhelleputte said that:

“I am glad to inform you that our second National Operator License has been signed and MTN can continue operating in Uganda. We are happy and  remains committed to our  vision of delivering a bold digital life to all our customers through diligent innovations and shall continue to provide high quality voice, data and mobile money services connecting Ugandans across all the 135 districts of Uganda.

MTN Uganda provides telecommunications services under a Second National Operator License for the operation of a telecommunications system issued on 15 April 1998 for a period of twenty years. The License expired on 21 October 2018 but was variously extended to accommodate conclusion of renewal negotiations which have been ongoing for close to 2years.

Five lucky youth have won the public vote emerging as the winners of the MTN for Good campaign that was launched early 2020.

Following the story of MTN that started as a small SME to becoming one of the most admired brands in Africa, the Food Good campaign sought to awaken the youth to the fact that it is possible to realize your dreams if you pursue them.

Douglas Smith of Sportrise polled the highest public votes beating over 100 other participants to emerge winner in the inaugural campaign. Sportrise is a local company that is using plastics to make soccer balls. Other winners are Joseph Semayengo of Brick making, Julius Tusingwire a programmer, Brian Maw, a talented producer, and Tony Ayebare with the Online Butcher.

The winners will receive support from MTN in support of their dreams including MTN Mobile money to seed into their ideas, 60GB data per month for six months, Kigale fixed lines among others. MTN will also arrange for them to meet their idols.

In the campaign which targeted mainly the youth, they were asked to submit a one minute video showing their dream. The submissions were subjected to a public vote and the top five videos with the highest votes have been declared winners.

“We all have dreams. It’s a great thing to be a dreamer because the ones who dream are the ones who own the future. Like MTN, many of the leading businesses, companies and enterprises started from an idea that sprung from a dream. Youths have many dreams and MTN wants to help them bring their dreams to life under the ‘For Good’ campaign, said Somdev Som, MTN Uganda Chief marketing officer.

Today, MTN is a leading emerging market telecommunications operator with 240 million customers in 21 countries in Africa and the Middle East. In 2015, the Telecom giant was named Africa’s most admired and most valued African brands by Brand Africa. MTN has consolidated its position of being at the forefront of innovation in connectivity.

“The youths have many dreams. Since we are in the business of connectivity we wanted to be the link that connects the youth to their dreams. Our pledge to the public is whatever your dream, let’s create it together.” From connecting millions of people across the world with a dream of delivering a bold new world to its subscribers, MTN is seeking to connect youth to their dreams in its new thematic campaign dubbed ‘For Good’.

The ‘For Good’ campaign was rolled out by MTN Group in November last year and will run across the 21 countries in which MTN operates. Running under the theme; ‘whatever your dream, let’s create it together’ in Uganda, the campaign will be tied around connecting people, particularly the youth to their dream.

Today, TECNO Mobile Uganda, the global premier mobile phone brand has again joined hands with MTN Uganda to launch the latest addition in the Camon series popularly known for taking ultra-clear day and night photos. Customers who buy the Camon 15 will automatically get connected with a free SIM card plus 3GB free every month for three months from MTN.

Among upgraded features on the TECNO CAMON 15 is the camera, which can easily be considered to be the best in the smartphone market. It comes with a 48MP AI Quad camera set-up at the back to give customers more appealing and professional photos.

“Last year we launched a partnership with MTN in an effort to enhance the value of TECNO smartphone offers to our customers. We are here today to continue fulfilling our promise of enabling all Ugandans to experience the best smartphones while using the best internet connectivity in the country. We chose to partner with MTN because we are both customer centric brands and this partnership is for the benefit of both our customers.” Said Shiva Zhong, the TECNO country director.

We wish things were not as they are right now, however, we are very grateful to all our customers who are still supporting us, and I want to say we treasure you and don’t take this for granted. We are launching this powerful device as a thank you to all our loyal and new customers but also enable us to adopt to the “new normal” of doing everything online directly on our phones from anywhere.

The new device that has an appealing gradient color design and exquisite textural lines comes with a four rear camera set up; 48MP as the main camera, 2MP for a perfect bokeh effect, 2MP for macro photography and the new TAIVOS AI Lens specially for ultra-clear night shots.

This time, CAMON 15 takes the unprecedented step to start TAIVOS™ (TECNO artificial intelligence vision optimization solution) to bring you truly ultra-clear night shots. The Ultra Night Lens makes better edge correction and multi-frame noise reduction, producing more pure and clear night shot. Reduce over exposure to restore true night scene in all directions, improve the image brightness and dynamic range at the same time, shooting brighter photos in dark environments.

The Camon 15 comes with a bigger battery of 5000mAh to keep customers powered for longer as they enjoy their day to day lives while using the phone.

It has also been installed with 64GB ROM+ 4GB RAM storage space to enable users have all their files, photos, music, movies to mention but a few, in the palm of their hands.

Camon 15 comes in three versions; Camon 15, Camon 15 Air and Camon Premier. Camon 15 is in three amazing colors of Shoal Gold, Fascinating Purple and Dark Jade while Camon 15 Premier is in two colors of Ice Jadeite and Opal White and lastly Camon 15 Air in three colors of Malachite Blue, Ice Lake Blue and Misty Grey. All these are available countrywide in TECNO branded shops and MTN Service Centres near you.

The launch comes with a lot of benefits to customers. All customers that purchase Camon 15 or Camon 15 Air get Free 3GB internet data every month for three months and 100% data bonus on every data bundle purchased.

Tecno Mobile Uganda joined hands with a very strong partner MTN, who are giving our customers a free MTN SIM card plus free MBs for the first three months when they buy the Camon 15 and on many of our other smartphones.

“We urge, all customers to get this new photo genius device from any TECNO branded shop or MTN Service center near them and enjoy the benefits that come with it”, concluded Mr. Shiva.

“MTN is proud to partner with Tecno in launching yet another top of the range yet affordable smartphone”, said Somdev Sen, the MTN Uganda Chief Marketing Officer. Our partnership with Tecno fits very well and is in line with our vision of delivering a bold new digital world for customer, he added.

MTN has been recognized as the most admired African brand in Uganda based on spontaneous consumer responses in Brand Africa 100: Africa’s Best Brands 2020 survey carried out across 27 African countries.

Organised by Brand Africa in conjunction with Publics Africa and Public Relations Association Uganda (PRAU) in Uganda; the awards seek to recognize brands that create a positive image for Africa, showcase its diversity and drive its competitiveness.

Representing MTN Uganda at the award ceremony; Mr Joseph Bogera the MTN Uganda General Manager – Sales and Distribution said;

“This award is an endorsement of our efforts towards keeping every Ugandan connected.  We are pleased to be connecting over 13 million customers enjoying MTN’s quality voice and data services across all the 135 districts in Uganda with over 7 Million transacting on our Mobile Money platform. I would like to thank all our customers and communities for the trust that they have shown in us. It encourages us to work harder every day to deliver on our belief that everyone deserves the benefits of a modern connected life.”

The awards comes amidst  MTN group celebrating 100 million active data users across it’s 21 Africa markets as the company works towards bridging the digital divide in Africa hinged on the belief that access to internet has the power to change lives and bridge inequalities.

“Our mission is to lead the delivery of a bold, new digital world to our customers” said the MTN group President and CEO Rob Shuter.” We are delighted to have connected 100 million of our customers to the power of the internet as we have increase data coverage and reduced the cost to communicate across our market.’

Access to the internet has the power to change lives and bridge inequalities and MTN Group reached a significant milestone by recording 100 million active data users on its networks across Africa and the Middle East.

“We believe that everyone deserves the benefits of a modern connected life,” said MTN Group president and CEO Rob Shuter. “We are delighted to have connected 100 million of our customers to the power of the internet as we have increased data coverage and reduced the cost to communicate across our markets.”

MTN has a total base of more than 257 million customers in 21 markets. Growth through scaling data and digital services is central to its strategy. The group is overcoming the barriers to greater mobile internet adoption by extending its 3G and 4G coverage, accelerating smartphone adoption and transforming prices.

In the past three years, well over 100 million more people in MTN’s footprint have been covered by its data network. This brings the group’s network coverage for data services to beyond 480 million people. However, about 60% of rural populations in Africa remain unconnected. To benefit from connectivity, they need affordable devices as well as the digital literacy to easily access relevant and meaningful content.

To support smartphone adoption, in 2019 MTN distributed 675 000 affordable data-enabled handsets across 12 markets. It also launched a digital literacy programme in nine markets, helping over three million people improve their understanding of the mobile internet and applications.

Data affordability is also key. In 2018 and 2019, MTN reduced entry-level data rates across its footprint by 60%. In 2019 alone, it cut the effective data price per megabyte by 34%.

“We believe the consumer mobile data market will grow enormously over the next few years,” said Shuter. “The COVID-19 pandemic has served to accelerate the adoption of mobile data, digital services and financial services. As a result, we have recorded increases of up to 50% in data volumes in some markets, as work and studying from home becomes a reality for many.”

“Over time our ambition is to grow our customer base to 300 million and for at least 2/3 to be accessing the power of the internet on an MTN network – so  the 100 million achieved today marks the halfway mark in the MTN journey.”

Mr. Ibrahim Senyonga is one of the new members on the MTN Uganda leadership team joining as the General Manager for the company’s Enterprise Business Unit (EBU), a department that focuses on driving Business to Business sales for MTN.

He brings to MTN over 16 years’ experience from the banking sector where he served several roles ranging from Regional manager at DFCU bank, Head of Retail banking and Acting Executive Director at KCB among others. Throughout his career, Mr. Senyonga has won more than 13 outstanding performance awards.

As he transitions from the banking to the telecom sector, Mr. Senyonga observes that telecommunication remains an important sector that is relevant to the growth of all sectors being at the center of the paradigm shift in how businesses operate as communication and digital services continue to be more embedded in the needs of society.

Ibrahim Senyonga the Business Unit General Manager at MTN Uganda.

As the leader of a team that serves MTN’s vision to become the preferred connectivity solution partner for businesses within the Telecom footprint, Mr. Senyonga is responsible for developing compelling value propositions for Enterprise Business as well as creating and implementing  strategies to drive corporate sales revenue and customer satisfaction with the support of a highly  motivated winning team.

Mr. Senyonga comes with a deep experience in Strategic Governance, Strategic Planning and Leadership, Business Development and Relationship management, Sales Channels development and expansion, Risk & Operational Control management.

His academic credentials include; an MBA in Finance from University of Leicester (UK) and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Makerere University, along with various certificates inclusive of one in Economics from OXFORD University (UK)  and Aquis Accredited Asset and Liabilities Management from INSEAD (France).

Outside work, Mr. Senyonga loves watching football and he is a loyal supporter of KCCA FC locally, Real Madrid in Europe and Leicester FC in UK. Besides watching the game, he also takes a keen interest in studying top football coaches to understand how they strategies.

MTN Uganda has today launched a campaign aimed at sensitizing customers on why it’s important to keep some mobile money with MTN MoMo and the associated benefits like the convenience of paying for products and services like airtime, voice and date bundles, Yaka electricity units, national water, school fees, shopping and much more.

In the campaign that will run under the theme, “Keep some Money on MTN MoMo, It saves”, MTN is encouraging customers to keep some money with MTN MoMo on their phones, because it is convenient, safe and could come to their rescue in emergency situations during these times of covid19 and the curfews that they live under as a result.

Most Ugandans already know MTN MoMo and how it works. Many more are already using it for sending and receiving money. However, some continue to use cash for many of their daily needs. Although it is inconveniencing, some customers would rather walk to the shop to buy airtime, bundles or MBs, and even to pay for their utility bills, yet they can conveniently use MTN MoMo from wherever they are. In the end however, customers wish they had mobile money on the phones more so in emergency situations.

“This new campaign is about encouraging our customers to keep some MTN MoMo on their phones, because it saves,” said Stephen Mutana, the General Manager, Mobile Financial Services at MTN Uganda.

“You don’t have to deposit all your money, keep some on MTN MoMo to use it when you need it most. For example, if you have 5,000/-, you can deposit 2,000/- on your MTN MoMo account. This 2,000/- will come in handy when you need to buy airtime or data bundles at night when the shop is closed or if your power goes off at night and you need to buy Yaka units”, Mr. Mutana advised.

MTN MoMo can do everything and even more than physical cash. With MTN MoMo, customers can buy airtime, voice and data bundles, and can also conveniently pay for shopping at the supermarket, pay for fuel, and much more conveniently using their phone, anytime, anywhere. Even for school fees, MTN MoMo customers no longer need to queue at the bank for hours. Customers can deposit as low as 500/- on their MTN MoMo account and dial *165# or use the MyMTN app for safe, reliable and convenient transactions.

Relatedly, Stephen also cautioned MTN MoMo customers against sharing their PINs. “Keep your MTN MoMo PIN safe. Don’t share it with anyone. Nobody can access money on your phone unless you give them your PIN number which only you should know”, he concluded.

MTN MoMo is safe, reliable and convenient.

 

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:

MTN Uganda Press Office: mediadesk.ug@mtn.com

Rhona Arinaitwe: Rhona.Arinaitwe@mtn.com or 077 212 3067

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

 

 

 Buikwe District, Central Uganda: MTN Uganda has through its Corporate Social Responsibility arm, the MTN Foundation, donated an Ambulance and emergency response boat to Kiyindi landing site in a bid to improve emergency response amidst the current health crises caused by Covid-19.

The 15 Seater state-of-the-art water rescue vessel will 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 donation of the emergency boat follows 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”. The activities carried out that day included refurbishment of the Makonge health center, donation of four full sets of computers with internet connectivity and community cleaning.

The Kiyindi community requested for support to enhance water safety and emergency response. To that effect, MTN Uganda donated 100 life jackets and pledged a 15-seater water rescue boat. It is to serve as a rescue boat and also respond to medical referral cases in the area.

The modern water emergency rescue vessel worth Ush 52 Million is made of fibre glass, provided with a waterproof canopy and cushion seats. It has a Yamaha outboard engine DT 40, anchor, 2 oars, fire extinguisher, 5 life buoys, first aid box and patient stretcher. It was made by Fisheries Training Institute, Entebbe and licensed by Ministry of Works and Transport.

While handing over the emergency rescue boat at an event held at the Kiyindi landing site, Mr Patrick Tusiime, the Regional commercial head expressed his concerns about health emergencies and water safety in the area and MTN Uganda’s commitment towards reaching out to the communities within which they operate.

“We understand that water transport is the only way people in this area can access the islands and the main land and this comes with challenges. As MTN Uganda, we have honored our pledge of providing the residents of this area with an emergency rescue boat,” Mr  Tusiime said, adding that the boat will help respond to emergency health referral cases in the areas served by the Kiyindi landing site.

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. This therefore makes it hard for the ferry to cater for emergencies that may not resonate with its schedule.

The boat was handed over to Ms Jane Frances Kagaia, the Resident District Commissioner of Buikwe who will entrust it with the District Health Officer to oversee its usage. She thanked MTN Uganda for heeding to the request of the people of Buvuma and the surrounding areas.

“I thank MTN Uganda for giving us this emergency rescue boat. Here travelling by water is almost inevitable and like all forms of transport, we encounter situations that require the services of an emergency rescue or response boat. This will ensure water transport safety for our residents and visitors as they travel between the mainland and the islands.” Kagaia said.

To enhance water safety, MTN Uganda last year donated 100 life jackets and commissioned a 24 hour rescue communication line in Kiyindi to respond to the soaring numbers of water transport emergencies in Buikwe and Buvuma districts.

Last year still, MTN donated 550 customized solar kits to 9 schools and 3 health centers in Buvuma under its “Light up a Village” project in order to boost education and health services in the off-grid Island.

MTN Uganda remains committed to improving lives of the communities within which it operates while championing the true delivery of a bold and bright world.

Sixteen years since she joined MTN Uganda, Ms. Juliet K Nsubuga has grown through the ranks to become one of the four women that make up the top line leadership of Uganda’s leading telecom company and the country’s biggest taxpayer.

As General Manager Wholesale and Carrier Services, Ms. Nsubuga manages telecom to telecom partnerships that enable MTN customers to have a great service experience when out of the country through roaming and locally when they call to other networks; as well as managing infrastructure services to other telecom providers.

Her obligation is to ensure that the infrastructure is right, the service is great, and channels of delivery are robust to serve the customers directly or indirectly.

With over 20 years of sales and marketing experience, Ms. Nsubuga is an associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM-UK), holds a Master’s degree in Economic Policy and Planning and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Makerere University Kampala.

Her previous roles at MTN Uganda include Senior Manager Sales Operations, Senior Manager Business Sales and Manager Government Sales. Ms. Nsubuga was part of the team that initiated and delivered the successful electronic airtime distribution platform. This project seamlessly ushered in electronic airtime distribution when the Government issued the directive to the industry.

Ms. Nsubuga started her career in Sales and Marketing in different management and executive positions in the Petroleum, Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), and Telecommunication industries for Global and Multinational organizations prior to joining MTN Uganda. Throughout her career, she consistently generated additional footfall and revenue for every company she has worked for, leaving behind a commendable legacy.

Ms. Nsubuga is a devoted wife and mother of three children who enjoys spending time with her family, travelling and youth outreach through her church community.