Friday 18th October 2019- Buvuma Island, Central Uganda

NOTE:

• The MTN Uganda Foundation, together with Fenix International Uganda as an implementing partner have powered and lit up Buvuma Island.
• Buvuma Island is off the national power grid. As such, it depends on solar and thermal power which majority of the residents cannot afford.
• The MTN Foundation donated 550 solar kits worth 380 million. Fenix International Uganda will install and maintain the kits. The beneficiaries include 9 schools and 2 health centers.

The MTN Uganda Foundation has partnered with Fenix International Uganda to provide power and lighting for selected schools and health centers in Buvuma Island.
Fenix International Uganda is a next-generation energy and technology company whose mission is to improve the quality of life of customers through inclusive energy.

In the partnership worth 380 million, MTN Foundation has provided 550 customized solar kits for schools and health facilities. Fenix International Uganda will install and maintain the kits to ensure the project’s sustainability. Under a similar project in June this year, MTN donated and installed 100 solar kits in Bunambutye resettlement camp in Bulambuli district in Eastern Uganda.

The project dubbed “Light up a Village” is aimed at improving performance of learners in schools by increasing reading time especially in the night, to enhance teacher preparation for lessons, provide considering that Buvuma was ranked among the worst performing districts in Last year’s Primary Leaving examinations.
The district also suffers a poor learner retention capacity due to a host of challenges faced by both learners and teachers.

Speaking at the Handover of the solar kits, Mr. Bryan Mbasa, the Acting Senior Manager, MTN Foundation noted that:
“By providing solar lighting, learners can be able to read for longer as they prepare for their forth-coming exams. Their safety is also guaranteed especially those in boarding schools who are staying in dormitories without light.”
Mr. Mbasa further noted that with the availability of solar power, students can now have access to computers as a way of preparing them for the digital era.t

Niarami seed Secondary school, Namunyolo P/S, Bukaali community P/S, Bulondo P/S, Namakeba P/S, Lukoma P/S, KitikoP/S, Buyuba P/S, Bugaya P/S are the schools that will benefit from the project.

Under health, the project will provide lighting for Migadde and Kifulu Health centers.
This is aimed at supporting maternal health in the region by ensuring that mothers can access round the clock services from these health centers.

“As the MTN Foundation, we are passionate about maternal health and we hope that by lighting up these health centers, mothers can access health services at any time,” Mr. Mbasa said.

Hon. Robert Migadde, the Member of Parliament, Buvuma district thanked MTN for the noble gesture towards the schools and health centers.

“Given that we are a hard to reach area which is off the national power grid, this project is a life-changing one for this area. Our children will now be able to study better and our health facilities can now provide the residents with the much-needed night services,” Hon. Migadde said.

The MTN Foundation has undertaken to support a number of government initiatives.
Early this Month, the MTN Foundation in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Ministry of Health unveiled the finance and date schedule to implement maternal health projects to a tune of UGX.1.33 billion.
While UGX. 600 million was raised from the 2018 MTN Kampala Marathon and regional runs, the other is a top up from the MTN Foundation.

The funds are being used to complement efforts by the Ministry of Health to improve service delivery in 5 Health Centre IV facilities across Uganda namely Muyembe HC IV in Bulambuli district, Pakwach HC IV in Pakwach district, Kalangala HC IV in Kalangala district, Karugutu HC IV in Ntoroko district and Kawempe Women and Children Hospital in Kampala.Early this year, the MTN Foundation refurbished eight Maternity wards in eight health center III facilities across the country during the MTN 20th anniversary celebrations. Arua, Gulu, Lira, Kabarole, Hoima, Kiruhura, Kabale and Mbale are the districts that were reached during this initiative.

In addition to renovating and refurbishing maternity wards, the MTN Foundation also provided them with solar energy, water and sanitation facilities to maternity wards.

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.

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

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