By Our Reporter

Airtel Uganda recognized and awarded three mobile Application creators at their annual Independence breakfast held at the Airtel Uganda offices in Bugolobi.

Matibabu – a platform that collects, organizes and visualizes data to better understand and identify malaria trends, Akellobanker – a mobile and cloud based digital finance platform used by farmers and small-scale traders to access instant credit from anywhere using their mobile phones and SafeBoda – a community of entrepreneurs and boda drivers working together to improve professional standards across the urban transportation industry in Africa each received 5 million shillings for upholding standards and transforming the lives of Ugandans with ICT.

According to Mr. V. G. Somasekhar the Airtel Uganda Managing Director, Airtel is committed to the development of Uganda by giving SMEs, large corporations and individuals the necessary tools to innovate, employ and empower themselves and the communities in which they exist.

“This year, we are happy to recognize and award different entities that have excelled in the ICT sector. At Airtel Uganda, we have always spearheaded the notion of development through ICT and this is why we have made significant investment in our network to ensure countrywide 4G, affordable internet connectivity and an all-inclusive Airtel money platform,” he noted.

In his speech, the Guest of Honor and Commissioner Telecoms Mr. Charles Awuk applauded Airtel Uganda for always exhibiting patriotism and leading technological advancement in the country.

“Allow me to congratulate all the award recipients here today. I applaud you for championing the cause of ICT as an enabling factor for development. With ICT, there is almost nothing that can not be accomplished. From simple communication to satellite maps, digital currencies and health solutions, ICT is already playing a key role in the prosperity of countries across the world,” he commented.

He also applauded Airtel for their commitment to the implementation of the broadband policy as well as the 4G connection in national parks, which are a great source of revenue to Uganda.

During the breakfast, Airtel Uganda staff that excelled in different fields across the business functions were also recognized and awarded.

By Our Reporter

Uganda Airlines has acquired two new Bombardier CRJ900s, growing their fleet to a total of 4 planes. The new planes were officially received on Monday afternoon and were welcomed with the customary water salute at Entebbe international airport in a ceremony that was attended by different government representatives, officials in the aviation industry as well as other dignitaries.

Addressing guests at the ceremony, Uganda Airlines CEO, Cornwel Muleya said, “With the addition of the new aircraft to the fleet, the carrier will expand its route network to cover several other destinations in Southern and Central Africa to include, Kinshasa in DRC, Zanzibar, Asmara in Eritrea, Hargeisa in Somaliland, Lusaka in Zambia, Harare in Zimbabwe, Johannesburg in South Africa, Djibouti and Addis Ababa in Ethiopia.”

“Other international destinations will be added to the network on acquisition of two (2) Airbus A330-800neo wide-body aircraft, slated to join the Uganda Airlines fleet in the latter half of 2020.” He added.

The CRJ900 planes come with 76 passenger seats; 12 business class and 64 economy class.

Uganda Airlines received its first two aircraft, earlier this year, on April 23rd, but would later commence commercial operations on 28th August and currently operates direct flights from its hub in Entebbe to and from Nairobi, Mombasa, Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, Juba, Bujumbura and Mogadishu.

The Board Chairman, Uganda Airlines, Hon. Ahabwe Godfrey Pereza in his speech said, “We are committed to seeing Uganda Airlines excel in its operations and in the provision of services which fall within the expected international standards.”

“Our growth and success as an airline facilitate the growth and success of our country, through the promotion of our tourism industry and building relationships between Uganda and other countries. We, as the board, commit our efforts to ensuring that our cranes stay in the sky,” he added.

By Staff Writer

• This follows an agreement between the MTN Foundation and Ministry of Health to purchase an automatic blood plasma extractor machine and 3 refrigerators to improve the blood processing and blood storage. 

• In July 2019, MTN Foundation availed UGX. 347 million for the purchase of the equipment. The MTN Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Wim Vanhelleputte handed over the cheque to the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health, Dr. Diana Atwiine.

• The beneficiary blood banks/hospitals include; Nakasero blood bank, Mbarara Regional referral Hospital, Mbale Regional Referral Hospital and Arua Regional Referral Hospital.

MTN Uganda Foundation has officially handed over blood processing and storage equipment to the Uganda Blood Transfusion Services (UBTS) to improve the blood processing and blood storage respectively. The equipment comprising of an automatic blood plasma extractor machine and 3 refrigerators was handed over to Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, the Minister of health in a ceremony held at the UBTS headquarters in Kampala today. 

This follows the telecom company’s pledge in July when it availed UGX. 347 million to procure the equipment. The automated plasma extractor will be stationed at the Nakasero Blood Bank while the three blood storage fridges will be delivered to the regional referral hospitals in Mbarara, Mbale and Arua. The Mbarara Regional blood bank received their refrigerator last week. The other two blood banks are set to receive theirs in due course.

While handing over the equipment, Ms. Enid Edroma, the General Manager, MTN Corporate Services reiterated MTN Uganda’s commitment to supporting government’s push towards meeting the Global Sustainable Development Goal No.3 which aims at ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages. 

“We are proud of this partnership with the UBTS and the Ministry of Health in completing efforts to make available this scarce resource of blood,” Ms. Edroma said.

Speaking at the same ceremony, Dr. Gilbert Sande a laboratory scientist and logistics officer at the Uganda Blood Transfusion Services noted that the blood component extractor would be used for processing of blood to extract components of red and white blood cells and platelets for the Nakasero blood bank.

“The old machine was manual, laborious and could process one unit of blood in hours. This new machine from the MTN Foundation is automatic and processes a unit of blood in less than 10 minutes. That means we shall be able to get more components to save patients, especially the cancer patients who need platelets the most,” Sande said.

The MTN Foundation has undertaken to support a number of government health initiatives: Early this Month, the MTN Foundation in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Ministry of Health unveiled their progress of the plans to implement maternal health projects to a tune of UGX.1.33 billion. While UGX. 600 million was raised from the 2018 MTN Kampala and Regional Marathons, the other half 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 20^th anniversary celebrations. Arua, Gulu, Lira, Kabarole, Hoima, Kiruhura, Kabale and Budaka are the districts that were reached during this initiative. 

In addition to renovating and refurbishing maternity wards, the MTN Foundation also provided selected facilities with solar energy, water and sanitation facilities to ensure that mothers not only plan for their pregnancies but give life in dignity and comfort.