Just weeks into the New Year, the MTN Uganda Foundation has today commissioned a newly refurbished ICT Resource Center with a fully connected internet Hot spot in partnership Mukono District administration.
The ICT resource centre was refurbished at a cost of UGX 200 million and offers 60 work stations. The centre which is fully funded by MTN Uganda is also powered by MTN’s high speed internet and will be managed by the Mukono District Local Government. The resource centre is earmarked to attract more than 1000 users a month from the surrounding community.
With the growing trends in technology, MTN Uganda through the MTN Foundation has helped to bridge the digital divide and the district’s quest for reliable internet access as part of the growing demand for the utilization of information technology in the country. This will go a long way in supporting the residents of Mukono including the students from the nearby Uganda Christian University (UCU) as well as the general public. It will be managed by the Mukono local district council.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the CEO MTN Uganda Mazen Mroué who is also a Trustee of the MTN Uganda Foundation reaffirmed MTN’s commitment to continue providing ICT support to improve service delivery in the district and stated that the connectivity will create online access for the centre to increase its usage and visibility. This is also in line with the MTN Foundation’s corporate social responsibility areas for 2014 which include Education, Health and National priority areas.
In 2013, the MTN Group launched its new Vision, ‘To lead the delivery of a bold, new digital world to our customers’. This means a focus on creating a distinct customer experience, driving sustainable growth while transforming our operational model to make our customers lives a whole lot brighter. At MTN, innovation is about introducing something new, better or different, large or small that adds sustainable value to the lives of our customers.
Mroué highlighted the fact that the MTN Uganda Foundation will continue to partner with the Government of Uganda as developmental partners and will particularly look at ways to help to bridge the digital divide in Uganda.
MTN Uganda is committed continue investing in technology, saying that in the last two years alone, the company made additional capital investments of USD 150 million in network rollout and upgrades as well as other infrastructural developments to support market growth. In terms of investment in improvement of quality of service, in 2013, the company invested an additional USD 70 million to bring the total number of MTN Network sites supporting the MTN network up to 1,220. This saw the rollout of 115 new coverage sites and upgraded the capacity of another 406 Network sites.
“There is a direct link between improved literacy and the socio-economic status of any community. We are committed to support such initiatives that further enhance human capacity building as a catalyst for economic development”, Mroué added.
The Guest of Honour, Mukono LC V Chairman- Mr. Francis Lukooya Mukoome commended MTN Uganda for its continued commitment and enthusiasm in making a difference among communities stating that the company’s technological support will go a long way in enhancing development in Mukono.
“Mukono District’s initial vision was to establish a centre comprising of technological aspects, themes and other elements that will enhance the image of a modern area of information usage and consumption. That quest has been fulfilled today. I thank MTN for this partnership,” said Mukoome.
Also in attendance at the event was the South African High Commissioner, H.E. Jon Qwelane who is a Trustee member of the Foundation. The other members of the Board of Trustees for the MTN Uganda Foundation include, the Chairman- Mr. George Egaddu, the Patron- Dr. Eric Adriko and Dr. Paula Munderi.
The MTN Uganda Foundation is a not-for-profit legal entity that was inaugurated in July 2007 as a vehicle through which MTN U 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.
The MTN Uganda Foundation, since inception, has invested resources for social redress, thus empowering people by skills transfer, preserving and nurturing their heritage, culture and arts, supporting sports and sports development. From 2013 going forward, Education will be the key focus area for the MTN Uganda Foundation; the other areas will include Health and National priority areas.
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