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Friday 10th May, 2019 – Hoima District, Western Uganda.

The people of Kigorobya sub-county in Hoima district are set to benefit from a newly renovated and re equipped maternity ward and Family planning unit.

MTN Uganda, through its corporate social responsibility arm MTN Uganda Foundation, has today officially commissioned the renovated Health Center III maternity ward that it refurbished and re-equipped as a way of giving back to society.
The hospital that is located in Kigorobya had two of its blocks renovated, repainted and equipped with 10 hospital beds, 10 mattresses, 10 blankets and 10 mosquito nets to a tune of 90 million Uganda shillings.

A water tank with running water and solar panels were also installed for lighting and hygiene at the center.
As MTN Uganda marks its 20 years of existence in the country, it has, through its Foundation decided to renovate and re-equip selected maternity wards across the country in a bid to give back to the communities it serves.

The decision to focus on maternal and child health was arrived at by the MTN Foundation after a consultative meeting with the Ministry of Health which revealed that maternal health was the most underfunded section of health yet it is critical. This informed the need for MTN Uganda to move in and support by providing beds and providing a total uplift to the maternity wards at the selected facilities.

Speaking at the commissioning, Ms. Julie Kakayi Nsubuga, the senior manager, wholesale carrier services at MTN Uganda said that MTN feels so elated to be able to make a difference in the lives of the people it serves.

“Mothers are very important people and as MTN we are pleased that we can help make a difference in their lives by enabling them give birth in dignity and comfort.
Ms Nsubuga clarified that although the foundation would have wished to give more equipment, the hospital wards are limited by bed capacity.

“In the bigger facilities like Kamukira hospital maternity ward in Kabale district, we donated 20 beds. However, some of the maternity wards we are renovating have a small bed capacity but we are happy to give all the support we can as MTN Uganda Foundation,” she said.

Bryan Mbasa, the MTN Foundation Manager noted that up to Uganda shillings 5 billion is allocated every year by the MTN Foundation towards corporate social responsibility. The main areas of focus are improving health and education services. The Foundation also prioritizes youth empowerment and support to national causes.

“As a company there is no greater commitment that we can give Uganda, than the means to ensure the basic functional systems of the community are met. We are proud to partner with the government to support its efforts in health.” Mbasa said.
The District Health Officer, Dr. Joseph Ruyonga said that the support extended by MTN Uganda Foundation will help fill some of the health gaps in the region especially in maternal health which is under funded by government.

“We are all aware how important it is for our mothers to give birth in safe places. I am glad that MTN has brought these services to my people of Hoima,” he said.
While delivering the keynote speech, Hon. David Karubanga, the minister of state for public service and the Kigorobya Member of parliament said that in a country where many mothers die while giving birth due to the lack of such services, the MTN Uganda Foundation was doing a noble job of saving lives.

“We are very thankful that we were chosen for such a good project that is going to improve the lives of our mothers and children in Kigorobya and the neighboring communities,” she said.
Dr. Tumusiime Lawrence, the health center in-charge thanked MTN for reaching out to the facility.

“This will make our work a lot easier. We are very happy for all the help MTN has extended to us,” Tumusiime said.
Prior to its 20 year celebrations, the MTN Uganda Foundation has renovated up to 30 hospitals under its Access to Health Initiative (AHI). To date, the foundation has spent 4 billion shillings in health alone across Uganda.

 

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:

 

 

About MTN Uganda                 About The MTN Group

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:

 

 

About MTN Uganda About The MTN Group