MTN Uganda joined the rest of the globe in commemorating World Telecommunication and Information Society Day on Tuesday by pledging UGX2.8 billion to support specific information and communication technologies (ICT) efforts in the country. (MTN plans to invest approximately UGX2.8 billion in ICT by 2022)
World Telecommunication and Information Society Day is observed on May 17th every year to raise awareness of the potential transformation that the Internet and other ICTs can have on communities and economies, as well as solutions to bridge the digital gap.
MTN Uganda has committed 60% of its yearly budget for 2022 to specific information and communication technologies (ICT) programs through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) vehicle, MTN Foundation.
MTN Uganda, according to Enid Edroma, General Manager for Corporate Services, is making a concerted effort to educate and skill Ugandans in ICT on a long-term basis.
“Over the years, our CSR has mostly focused on the health sector, and I am pleased to report that the numerous efforts done have yielded great results and impacted the lives of many individuals.” “This year, we’re focusing more on ICT in order to ensure that no one is left behind in the worldwide transition toward ICT and digitization, which has been accelerated by the consequences of the coronavirus,” she stated.
“As a result, 60 percent of the UGX4.8 billion shillings allocated to the MTN Foundation’s 2022 CSR activities would be set aside for ICT-related initiatives,” she added. MTN’s dedication to building a contemporary connected society and ensuring that communities benefit from it is demonstrated by this action. Initiatives supporting non-ICT sectors, such as health and education, will complement these efforts.”
The subject for this year’s World Telecommunication and Information Society Day was “Digital technology for older individuals and healthy ageing.”
MTN is striving to promote and empower marginalized groups of people such as women and people in rural regions, among others, through ICT targeted programs performed by the MTN Foundation, according to Edroma.
The MTN Internet Bus, which travels across the country teaching people basic computer skills, the MTN ICT Community Hubs, and the National ICT Innovation Hub program are among the efforts and focus this year
MTN also launched the MTN Youngsters Skilling Program in 2020, which, among other things, trained and prepared youth with digital skills to enable them to start and run digital enterprises. Since the program’s launch, more than 100 youths have received ICT training.
