MTN Uganda has today contributed 2.8 billion shillings, to the development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) linked initiatives in the country.
The move was a way of showering the developing ICT sector in Uganda with support, as the Telecommunications giant joined the rest of the world in celebrating the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day.
This day is marked annually, every 17th May, to raise consciousness, of the potential transformation that the use of Internet and other ICTs can impact on societies and economies as well as ways to bridge the digital divide.
MTN Uganda dedicated 60% of its 2022 annual budget towards information and communication technologies (ICT) linked endeavors, through its corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) innitiative.
MTN Uganda General Manager for corporate services, Enid Edroma said the Telecommunications giant is taking an intentional effort towards sustainably educating and skilling Ugandans in ICT.
She noted that for a considerable period of time, the focus of the CSR vehicle has been mainly in the health sector, and also expressed her gratitude towards the positive outcomes recorded so far which have changed the lives of so many people through the various succinct initiatives.
She made it crystal clear, that MTN will this year shift its focus more towards ICTs, as a way of striving to ensure that no one is left behind amid the global shift towards ICT and digitalization, inspired by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Edroma explained that MTN is seriously committed to ensuring development and community transformation, by creating a modern connected society, which makes it possible for the populace to realize the benefits of such innitiatives.
“Therefore, of the Shs 4.8 billion afforded to the MTN Foundation’s 2022 CSR activities, 60% of that will be set aside for ICT related initiatives. This move is testimony to MTN’s commitment to creating a modern connected society and ensuring that communities reap the benefits. These efforts will also be complemented by initiatives supporting non-ICT sectors for instance, health and education.” Edroma explained.
World Telecommunication and Information Society Day has this year been held under the theme; “Digital technologies for older persons and healthy ageing”.
Besides, she further explained that MTN Uganda is seeking to support and empower marginalized groups of people such as women, people in the rural areas and the elderly, through ICT targeted initiatives undertaken by the MTN Foundation.
Most notable among the excellent initiatives this year, that the Telecommunications subsidiary in Uganda instituted include the MTN Internet Bus, which traverses parts of the country equipping people especially the youth, with basic computer skills, the MTN ICT Community hubs and the National ICT Innovation Hub program.
Another succinct program, the Youth Skilling Program was instituted by MTN in 2020 with a prime aim of equipping the youth with digital skills to enable them create sustainable businesses, amid the competitive digital divide. More than 200 youths have since benefited from the program.
MTN aims to realize a Uganda that is much more technologically independent, to create sustainable solutions to ICT’s related challengs the country, vital for enabling its citizens compete on the International arena.
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