Views: 14
Bryan Mbasa, Senior Manager at MTN Foundation, engages with students of St. Catherine Girls Secondary School as they explore the newly installed computers, following the donation on September 20, 2024.
MTN Uganda, through its corporate social responsibility arm, MTN Foundation, has today enhanced the digital learning environment at St. Catherine Girls Secondary School in Kazo District, with the donation of a fully furnished computer lab valued at UGX 65 million.
- As part of MTN’s Digital Access Program, the support includes 10 computers, a year of free internet access, and backup power systems, further reinforcing the company’s commitment to fostering digital inclusion and empowering young women across the country.
- Catherine Girls Secondary School, with over 500 students, is the second institution to benefit from this year’s Digital Access Program, following the successful partnership with the Tunaweza Foundation.
- MTN Uganda has long been at the forefront of supporting ICT in education, having established over 48 ICT labs in educational institutions nationwide.
Kazo District, Uganda – 20 September 2024. MTN Uganda, through its corporate social responsibility arm, MTN Foundation, has today enhanced the digital learning environment at St. Catherine Girls Secondary School in Kazo District, with the donation of a fully furnished computer lab valued at UGX 65 million.
St. Catherine Girls Secondary School in Kazo District uses computers handed over by MTN Foundation.
As part of MTN’s Digital Access Program, the support includes 10 computers, a year of free internet access, and backup power systems, further reinforcing the company’s commitment to fostering digital inclusion and empowering young women across the country.
Andrew Tusubira, Regional Commercial Head – West at MTN Uganda, emphasized that this initiative aligns with MTN Uganda’s Ambition 2025 Strategy, which is dedicated to advancing digital transformation and ensuring that all Ugandans can enjoy the benefits of a connected life, regardless of their economic or social background.
“We believe that this computer lab will serve as a transformative space for students, providing them with the tools needed to develop essential digital skills and engage with the digital economy,” Tusubira stated.
He also highlighted that this contribution reflects MTN Uganda’s broader commitment to supporting the Ugandan government in achieving the goals of Vision 2040, National Development Plan III, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in fostering inclusiveness, equity, and economic empowerment.
Uganda is a country full of youthful energy, with over three-quarters of its population under the age of 30. This vibrant demographic holds great promise for the nation’s future yet faces significant challenges.
According to the World Bank, the east African nation grapples with high rates of unemployment and underemployment, particularly among young women. The unemployment rate for women stands at 16.3%, higher than the national average of 11.7%.
Andrew Tusubira, Regional Commercial Head – West at MTN Uganda, engages with students of St. Catherine Girls Secondary School as they explore the newly installed computers, following the donation on September
“These figures point to a critical issue: many young women face barriers such as limited access to quality education and digital skills, which can hinder their ability to fully participate in the digital economy and realize their full potential,” Tusubira noted.
Sr. Assumpta Mayar, the head teacher at St. Catherine Girls Secondary School, expressed deep gratitude for MTN’s support. “We are incredibly grateful to MTN Uganda for this generous contribution. The new computer lab is not just a gift to our school but an investment in the future of our students. This will open up new opportunities for our girls to learn, grow, and compete in the digital world,” she said.
St. Catherine Girls Secondary School, with over 500 students, is the second institution to benefit from this year’s Digital Access Program, following the successful partnership with the Tunaweza Foundation.
Other schools set to benefit from this initiative include St. Joseph’s Nyenga Seminary in Buikwe District, Revival Girls in Mbarara District, and St. John’s Secondary School in Sheema District.
MTN Uganda has long been at the forefront of supporting ICT in education, having established over 48 ICT labs in educational institutions nationwide. This includes six technical institutes such as Amelo Technical Institute in Adjumani District, St. Simon Peter’s Vocational Training Centre in Hoima District, and St. Daniel Comboni Polytechnic in Moroto District.
About MTN Uganda Foundation
The MTN Uganda Foundation is a not-for-profit legal entity that was inaugurated in July 2007 as a vehicle through which MTN Uganda implements its corporate social investments (CSI). The Foundation strives to improve the quality of life in communities where MTN Uganda operates in a sustainable way. Its purpose is to bring about meaningful, measurable, and sustainable change that helps disadvantaged and rural communities to become self-sufficient. With a focus on innovative technology, we aim to uplift communities towards independence in this bold new digital world. The Foundation invests resources for social redress, thus economic empowerment, education, health, and humanitarian response. The Foundation implements projects that are highly enabled by ICT solutions.
About MTN Uganda
MTN Uganda is a leading telecoms company in Uganda with a primary objective of carrying on the business of a national operator of a telecommunications network pursuant to the National Telecommunications Operator (NTO) licence granted by the Uganda Telecommunications Commission (UCC). Among our offerings are network services, digital and financial technology services, interconnect and roaming, sale of mobile devices, and MTN Mobile Money (conducted through subsidiary MTN Mobile Money Uganda Limited). MTN has a presence in all 134 districts of Uganda. Services are delivered through a network of over 170,000 MoMo agents, 292,000 MoMo merchants, 200 service stores and 13 main distributors. For the full year period ended December 31, 2023, MTN Uganda had 19.5 million subscribers, 12.1 million MoMo users, and 8.2 million active data users. Visit us at www.mtn.co.ug or follow us on www.youtube.com/mtnug and www.twitter.com/mtnug 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 Ambition 2021 strategy, focusing 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 0772 123 067
Prisca Baike: prisca.baike@tbwa-uganda.com or 0782 654 083