Telecommunications’ giant Airtel Uganda was announced as the official telecom partner of the Papal Visit by Uganda Episcopal Conference who invited the Pope to celebrate the Golden Jubilee at the commissioning of the Uganda Martyrs Shrine.
Pope Francis, currently the Bishop of Rome and the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church, will visit Uganda between 27th and 29th November 2015. Pope Francis was invited to Uganda on the occasion when the Roman Catholic Church in Uganda is marking the 50th anniversary of the canonization of its 22 Martyrs- among the 45 Christian converts who were executed in the 19th Century.
In a bid to prepare for the Papal Visit in Uganda, Airtel Uganda, in conjunction with Uganda Episcopal Conference Finance and the Constructions Committee preparing the Papal Visit, will be holding a raffle draw to raise funds for the beautification and reconstruction of the Namugongo Shrines as well as the construction of the Martyrs’ Shrine in Munyonyo.
Furthermore, for this period leading up to the Pope’s visit, Airtel Uganda will be sponsoring and facilitating the raffle activities as well as selling sim packs with a rosary. All the proceeds from the sale of the rosary will be given back to the Catholic Church as proceeds towards the reconstruction and renovation of the 2 key major projects. A total of 750 million shillings will be donated by Airtel through these different activities.
Speaking at the press conference to announce the partnership, Airtel Managing Director, Mr. Tom Gutjahr thanked the Uganda Episcopal Conference Finance and Constructions Committee and the Kampala Arch Diocese for the opportunity to partner and contribute to such a noble cause.
“On behalf of the customers and staff of Airtel Uganda, I would like to thank the Uganda Episcopal Conference Finance and Constructions Committee, the Kampala Arch Diocese as well as the Archbishop for giving us an opportunity to contribute to the preparations that will see Uganda being visited by a sitting Pope for only the third time ever,” he said.
Mr. Gutjahr also added that this is an opportunity for the Airtel customers to come in and contribute by sending any amount of money using Airtel Money to contribute to the same noble cause.
This partnership will not be the first time the telecom company is coming out to support a religious cause. In June this year, Airtel Uganda donated 20,000 bottles of water to the pilgrims at the Namugongo Martyrs’ Shrine during the 2015 Martyrs Day celebrations.