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MTN Uganda, MTN MoMo and UHOA Seal Strategic Partnership to Digitize Uganda’s Hospitality Sector.

L-R Dennis Kakonge, General Manager Corporate Services at MTN MoMo, Ibrahim Senyonga, General Manager, MTN Business Susan Muhwezi, the Chairlady of the UHOA, Yewagnesh Biriggwa, President COUTA and Juliana Kagwa

  • MTN Uganda, MTN MoMo, and UHOA signed a strategic MoU to drive digital transformation in Uganda’s hospitality sector through tailored ICT and mobile money solutions.

 

  • The partnership gives MTN access to over 780 hotels under UHOA’s membership, enabling adoption of mobile payments, guest Wi-Fi, enterprise connectivity, and customized business tools.

 

  • Key executives and representatives including Ibrahim Senyonga (MTN Uganda, on behalf of CEO Sylvia Mulinge), Dennis Kakonge (MTN MoMo, on behalf of CEO Richard Yego), and Hon. Susan Muhwezi (UHOA) emphasized the mutual benefits of the collaboration in boosting innovation, customer experience, and competitiveness

 

  • The partnership kicks off with a sector-wide engagement and MTN’s participation in UHOA Expo 2025 (Aug 1–3 at Hotel Africana), celebrating 25 years of UHOA and showcasing sustainable, tech-driven hospitality

 

Friday 1st August 2025 | Kampala, Uganda — MTN Uganda, MTN Mobile Money (U) Limited and the Uganda Hotel Owners’ Association (UHOA) have today signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Hotel Africana, marking the beginning of a strategic partnership aimed at accelerating digital transformation in Uganda’s hospitality sector.

Smart solutions for smart hospitality partnership also enables members of UHOA to promote hotels directly to 20M+ customers with SMS campaigns & digital ad solutions.

L-R Susan Muhwezi, the Chairlady of the UHOA and Yewagnesh (Yogi) Biriggwa, President of the Confederation of Uganda Tourism Association meeting MTN MoMo’s General Manager Corporate Services, Dennis Kakonge at the

Dennis Kakonge, General Manager Corporate Services at MTN MoMo speaking at the opening of the UHOA Expo

Jean Byamugisha, Executive Director of Uganda Hotel Owners Association and Susan Muhwezi, the Chairlady of the Uganda Hotel Owners Association at the opening of the UHOA Expo at Hotel Africana

L-R Dennis Kakonge, General Manager Corporate Services at MTN MoMo, Ibrahim Senyonga, General Manager, MTN Business Susan Muhwezi, the Chairlady of the UHOA, Yewagnesh Biriggwa, President COUTA and Juliana Kagwa.

L-R. Ibrahim Senyonga, General Manager, MTN Business, Dennis Kakonge, General Manager Corporate Services at MTN MoMo, Susan Muhwezi, the Chairlady of the UHOA at one the of stalls at the opening day of UHOA Expo

Smart solutions for smart hospitality partnership also enables members of Uganda Hotel Owners Association to promote hotels directly to 20M+ customers with SMS campaigns & digital ad solutions. 

The partnership brings together MTN Uganda’s digital and ICT expertise, MTN MoMo’s financial technology solutions, and UHOA’s wide-reaching hospitality network of over 780 hotels across Uganda. It is designed to drive the adoption of mobile money, e-commerce, enterprise connectivity, guest Wi-Fi, and other digital solutions within Uganda’s growing tourism and hospitality space.

“This collaboration is a strong testament to the power of partnerships in realizing Uganda’s broader digital agenda,” said Ibrahim Senyonga, General Manager, MTN Enterprise Business, speaking on behalf of MTN Uganda Chief Executive Officer, Sylvia Mulinge “As part of our Ambition 2025 strategy, MTN is shifting from a telco to a full-scale techco, and partnerships like this are critical to driving growth in priority sectors like hospitality. Through this MoU, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting innovation, customer experience, and economic development through digital inclusion.”

The hospitality sector accounts for nearly 70% of employment in Uganda’s tourism industry. Recognizing this, the tripartite partnership aims to empower UHOA members with tools that enhance efficiency, service delivery, and customer convenience—ranging from digital payments to ICT business solutions tailored for hotels.

According to Susan Muhwezi, Chairperson of UHOA, “This partnership is a pivotal step towards modernizing hotel operations in Uganda. With MTN Uganda and MTN MoMo, we are opening doors to cutting-edge technology, seamless payment systems, and digital infrastructure that our members can leverage to stay competitive in a fast-evolving market. It’s a win for our members, the industry, and ultimately for Uganda’s tourism potential.”

MTN MoMo will work closely with hotel owners to roll out mobile money solutions for digital transactions such as bookings, bill payments, and integrations with hotel management systems. On the enterprise side, MTN Uganda’s Enterprise Business Unit (EBU) will offer bespoke solutions including affordable internet connectivity, reliable guest Wi-Fi, Unified communications and  Software as a Service for hospitality business.

“Through this partnership, we are creating new value for hotel owners by enabling secure, seamless, and scalable digital financial services that elevate the guest experience,” noted Dennis Kakonge, General Manager Corporate Services at MTN MoMo, representing the CEO Richard Yego. “Hotels will now be able to cater to both local and international guests using modern payment options, backed by MTN MoMo’s reliability and reach.”

Following this signing, MTN and UHOA will initiate a sector-wide engagement to better understand the operational communication and technology needs of hotel owners. This process will aim at delivering solutions to ensure service enhancement, solution customization, and sector-wide digitization of the hospitality industry.

This Memorandum of Understanding lays the foundation for strengthening both digital infrastructure and reliable connectivity across UHOA member hotels. More importantly, it provides a framework for innovation that will accelerate digital transformation within the hospitality industry.

This partnership will also see MTN and MTN MoMo actively participate in the upcoming UHOA Expo 2025, an annual showcase of innovation in the hospitality industry. Scheduled for August 1st–3rd at Hotel Africana, Kampala, the Expo marks UHOA’s 25th anniversary and aims to spotlight advancements in technology, sustainability, and national tourism development.

Looking ahead, the collaboration is set to extend beyond hotel premises, with planned engagements involving key stakeholders like the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), Uganda Tour Operators Association, and other public-private sector bodies.

This partnership reflects MTN’s commitment to fostering meaningful digital transformation and empowering key sectors in line with its vision: “To lead the delivery of a bold new digital world to our customers.”

As MTN evolves into a technology-driven company, it remains committed to delivering a full spectrum of communication services. From robust voice and data connectivity to next-generation ICT solutions, they are uniquely positioned to meet the evolving needs of the hospitality sector. Whether it’s enabling smart check-ins, powering guest engagement platforms, supporting real-time digital payments, or automating business processes, MTN offers integrated, sector-specific solutions designed to enhance operational efficiency and elevate the guest experience.

This partnership with UHOA reflects the company’s belief that collaboration is essential to progress. MTN looks forward to working alongside stakeholders in the hospitality sector and beyond to deliver innovative solutions that make a difference. Together, we are unstoppable.

About MTN Mobile Money (U) Limited

MTN Mobile Money (U) Limited (MTN MoMo) is a 100% subsidiary of MTN Uganda Limited and the leading Mobile Financial Services provider in Uganda, providing services to over 13.6 million customers. MTN MoMo Uganda avails its customers with safe, secure and trusted virtual mobile money wallet services, person-to-person money transfer, utility payments, MoMo Pay, school fees payment, savings and loans and many other financial services using a mobile phone. Download the MTN MoMo app for free from google play or the App store and enjoy MTN MoMo’s best-in-class Mobile Financial Services.

 

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 212,044 MoMo agents, 100,985 MoMo merchants, 200 service stores and 13 main distributors. For the period ended March 31, 2025, MTN Uganda had 22.8 million subscribers, 13.6 million MoMo users, and 10.2 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 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 288 million customers in 18 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 2025 strategy, focusing on growth in data, fintech, and digital businesses.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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