Thursday 9th May, 2019: Hoima District, Western Uganda

Students of St. Simon Peter vocational training institute in the Western district of Hoima are set to benefit from a fully furnished ICT lab courtesy of the MTN Foundation in partnership with Belgian NGO, Enable, formerly known as Belgian Technical cooperation-BTC.

The MTN Foundation which is the corporate social responsibility arm of MTN Uganda, in partnership with Enable, an NGO that supports vocational training institutes with a vision to end unemployment and extreme poverty is extending support to the ‘Skilling Uganda’ National Project in Vocational institutes through the provision of computers and fast internet connection.
This is in fulfillment of the Ministry of Education and Sports National Program titled ‘Skilling Uganda’ as part of BTVET strategic plan 2012/3 to 2021/2.

The laboratory whose equipment cost 64 million shillings will also support and provide educational services to refugees from neighboring South Sudan.

Speaking at the commissioning of the laboratory, Dorcas Muhwezi, the General Manager Customer Experience MTN Uganda said that: “The aim is to skill Ugandan youth for the 21st century job market by enabling them to access technical and vocational information online through open education resources for skills development.”

Muhwezi further noted that the decision to support vocational institutions was based on the fact that vocational training is was found to be a sure way of addressing unemployment, which is a major issue for the youth in Uganda today.

Ambrose Atusasire from Enable Uganda said that Enable and MTN Uganda entered into this partnership in order to provide the less privileged with the requisite skills.
“Computer skills are indispensable today. That is why we ensure that the learners in vocational institutes are not left behind,” Atusasire said.

Speaking about the initiative, Bryan Mbasa the MTN Foundation Manager said that the ICT lab will complement the students’ learning experience, thereby providing them with holistic learning.

“As MTN Foundation, we are committed to improving the lives of the people we serve,” Mbasa said.

While delivering the keynote speech, Hoima Municipality MP, Hon. Lawrence Bategeka lauded MTN Uganda for supporting government initiatives through supporting the education sector.
‘As we are all aware, today, the role of ICT in education cannot be under estimated. ICT plays a critical role of shaping the desirable 21st century work and life skills,” he said.

Richard Alikira, the Principal of the institute thanked the MTN Foundation and Enable for their generosity.
“This laboratory will ease our learning as we shall be able to download study material which has been a huge challenge in the past,” said Alikira.

He also noted that the institute will be able to embrace modern technology to keep up with the ever-evolving trends.
Other beneficiaries of this year-long partnership include Amello Vocational Training institute in Adjumani and St. Daniel’s Comboni Vocational Training institute in Moroto district.

About MTN Foundation

The MTN Uganda Foundation is a non-profit entity that was inaugurated in July 2007 as a vehicle through which MTN Uganda implements its corporate social investments (CSI). The main objective of the foundation is to improve the quality of life in communities across the country by supporting and implementing sustainable projects in education, health and other national priorities.

The MTN Uganda Foundation is governed by an independent Non-Executive Board of Trustees made up on eminent members of society. These include:

• George Egaddu (Chairman)
• Dr. Eric Adriko (Patron)
• H.E. LS Mollo, the South African High Commissioner
• Hon Maria Kiwanuka
• Dr. Paula Munderi

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