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Tag: MTN Foundation

  • ‘Investing in Uganda’s youth is investing in the country’s future’ says Aminah Zawedde as MTN Foundation Uganda scales digital push with second innovation hub at Busitema University

    ‘Investing in Uganda’s youth is investing in the country’s future’ says Aminah Zawedde as MTN Foundation Uganda scales digital push with second innovation hub at Busitema University

    MTN Foundation Uganda, in partnership with the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance and Centenary Technology Services, yesterday handed over the second MTN ACE Spark Innovation Hub at Busitema University in eastern Uganda, as part of efforts to expand digital innovation and entrepreneurship across the country.

    The initiative forms part of a UGX 4 billion investment spread over three years, which will support the establishment of four regional digital innovation centres at public universities and the refurbishment of the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa, Kampala. The development comes as Uganda’s youth, who make up over 75% of the population, increasingly seek access to digital tools and entrepreneurial skills to compete in a rapidly evolving economy.

    Through its ACE Tech, ACE Career and ACE Skilling tracks, MTN Foundation Uganda, in partnership with the Ministry of ICT, Centenary Technology Services and the MTN Skills Academy implementing partner, Anischolar, are availing future-fit digital skilling and mentorship to youth, graduates and aspiring entrepreneurs.

    Busia District, Uganda | September 15, 2026 -MTN Foundation Uganda, in partnership with the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance and Centenary Technology Services, handed over the second MTN ACE Spark Innovation Hub at Busitema University in eastern Uganda, as part of efforts to expand digital innovation and entrepreneurship across the country.

    Inside the MTN Spark Hub

    The initiative forms part of a UGX 4 billion investment spread over three years, which will support the establishment of four regional digital innovation centres at public universities and the refurbishment of the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa, Kampala. The Busitema hub follows the successful rollout of the first facility at Kabale University, which is fully equipped with modern digital infrastructure and essential fittings to ensure safety and functionality.

    It will provide students and surrounding communities with access to future-fit digital skills such as Data Science & Analytics, Software Development & Coding, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing among others through the MTN Skills Academy with the support of Anischolar, collaborative workspaces and mentorship opportunities. Additional hubs are planned at Gulu and Soroti universities.

    Speaking at the handover ceremony, Francis Gimara, a Trustee of the MTN Foundation Uganda said the hubs are expected to serve as centres for experimentation, collaboration and innovation for students and nearby communities. “We at MTN Foundation Uganda believe that everyone should not only enjoy the benefits of a modern, connected life but also be empowered to drive innovation and entrepreneurship that transforms the communities in which we operate,” he said.

    “By providing tools, mentorship, and opportunities, we are giving young people the platform to create practical solutions, start businesses, and contribute to the economic growth of Uganda.” He added that more than 20,000 students and community members will gain access to future-fit digital skilling and mentorship to develop solutions to local challenges. The development comes as Uganda’s youth, who make up over 75% of the population, increasingly seek access to digital tools and entrepreneurial skills to compete in a rapidly evolving economy.

    The guest of honour, Dr. Aminah Zawedde, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance said: “Investing in Uganda’s youth is investing in the country’s future. These hubs equip young people with the skills and support needed to innovate, create jobs, and contribute meaningfully to the digital economy.”

    Centre: Dr. Aminah Zawedde – Permanent Secretary Ministry of ICT & National Guidance, Prof. Paul Waako – Vice Chancellor, Busitema University, Senior Counsel Francis Gimara – Trustee, MTN Uganda Foundation, Peter Kahiigi – Chief Technology Officer, Centenary Technology Services, and other officials pose for a picture in front of the newly handed over MTN Spark Hub at Busitema University

    Prof. Paul Waako, Vice Chancellor of Busitema University, said the Spark Hub bridges classroom learning with practical application, preparing students to become problem-solvers, entrepreneurs, and innovators. Peter Kahiigi, Chief Technology Officer of Centenary Technology Services, the programme’s implementing partner, said the Busitema facility had been in use for seven months before the ceremony.

    “What we handed over today is not a new lab. It is a working one. We built this hub to the standard we would build for ourselves: high-specification equipment, a properly engineered network, a secure and air-conditioned space designed for people to work together, not just sit in rows. The equipment arrived in February and students have been on it since. That is the test of a project like this: not the ribbon, but whether the room is full on an ordinary weekday,” he said.

    “Our job was to create an environment where a learner or a young entrepreneur from this community can do serious work with the same tools they would find in Kampala. Nakawa, then Kabale, now Busitema, next Gulu. Four regions, one standard, on campuses and inside the working day. The environment is our part. What the students and the community build in it is the point.”

    Over the past three years, the MTN ACE Programme has invested more than UGX 4 billion in digital capability development among the population, especially the youth. The renewed funding will support both the regional hubs and the Nakawa ICT Innovation Hub, which has produced innovations such as KaCyber, an online public transport ticketing system and RideLink, an AI-powered logistics platform facilitating import and export solutions.

    Strategically distributed across the country to serve all regions, the hubs at Busitema and Soroti universities (East), Gulu University (North), Kabale University (West) and Nakawa (Central) will provide secure, fully equipped environments for learning, collaboration and innovation. Through its ACE Tech, ACE Career, and ACE Skilling tracks, MTN Foundation Uganda, in partnership with the Ministry of ICT, Centenary Technology Services and the MTN Skills Academy implementing partner, Anischolar, are availing targeted future-fit digital skilling and mentorship to youth, graduates and aspiring entrepreneurs, helping them harness technology to create businesses and solutions that drive economic growth.

    “Today’s handover marks the beginning of new ideas, enterprises and opportunities,” Gimara added. “By investing in Uganda’s youth and digital innovation, we are shaping a resilient, competitive and inclusive economy.”

    The MTN Skills Academy can be accessed through https://skillsacademy.mtn.com

  • AFK Rewards Best Teachers In “Njogera Francais” Competition

    AFK Rewards Best Teachers In “Njogera Francais” Competition

    As a mode of interesting and encouraging students to learn the French language in Uganda, Alliance Francaise de Kampala has awarded the best performers of their  “Njogera Francais” competition which was also the launch of their second edition.
    The Initiative is mainly aimed at propagating the love, learning, and culture of the language which was declared the third official means of communication in Uganda and at the same time appeals to the global market.
    It had  4 primary schools, 13 Secondary schools, and 2 universities which made a total of 708 participants from all the learning institutions.
    Speaking at the awards ceremony that was hosted at AFK premises on Saturday, March 11, Victor Petit, the head of courses said that they developed this DELF program and have signed partnerships with over 17 institutions both in Kampala and outside the city and have prizes for the best students in various categories. He stressed that the program is usually targeted to promote the written and oral aspects and they do this through training from their teams, before revealing that the number of students who have done the certifications has doubled and the institution is performing well in Africa and ranking 5th on the continent. The Manager Njogera Francais, Karim C’winyaay who is also the courses coordinator at AFK noted that it is a year since they launched the program and they have done some improvements in promoting the french language in schools since they core its growth and he was grateful that they have got sponsors such as MTN Foundation, cfao, and Total Energies that have created value in regards to the prizes.
     
    The Manager Njogera Francais, Karim C’winyaay who is also the courses coordinator at AFK noted that it is a year since they launched the program and they have done some improvements in promoting the french language in schools since they core its growth and he was grateful that they have got sponsors such as MTN Foundation, cfao, and Total Energies that have created value in regards to the prizes. H.E  Xavier Sticker, French Ambassador to Uganda thanked  AFK for the great program that has developed and improved french and urged them to push further since Uganda has great potential because of its strategic location in marketing and business. “We are relying on AFK and other schools to promote the French language. It is very strategic and it is almost 2 years since the french language became the third official language in Uganda and with the giant Democratic Republic of Congo( DRC)   coming on board there is a lot yet to come”. Said Sticker Anita Kayongo, corporate communications manager, Total Energies representing the partners congratulated the team upon their first anniversary and promised them that they are still working together since improving education is a key aspect of goals. She explained that since it is an opportunity that opens the door for employment, skills, and business and they were proud to be a part of this great program and implored the rest to jump on board. Nelson Muyanda, Manager of MTN Foundation said that their focus is on youth empowerment and acquiring a language is a skill and they are investing  50 percent of their budget in the youth. He also asserted that they are also an international brand that has spread out across Africa and they believe in diversity and are glad that it is spreading across the country which resonates with their everywhere you go agenda. Joweriah Butele, customer relations experience, cfao Uganda noted that for them it is a privilege to promote quality education through the promotion of an extra language which is regarded as an opportunity to give children and citizens them to compete on an international scene as well as advance their synergies across the globe. She further cemented that their partnership is running for the next three years and hope to make a difference in the country. LIST OF  BEST PERFORMERS IN DIFFERENT CATEGORIES. Delf Prim. 1st – Sekyewa Nakato Gabrielle ( Aga khan Primary School ) 2nd -Bhatt Misha Killol ( Kampala Diplomatic School) 3rd-  Tibagwa  Jotham James ( Hill side Primary School,Naalya ) 4th – Ntalo  Jedi  Joram  ( Hillside Primary School Naalya ) 5th –  Ogwang Faith Ruth ( Hill Side Primary School Naalya) DELF Junior  A1 1st-  Opinia Ngaka Hiwett (  Bishop Cypriano Kihangire ) 2nd  -Busingye Favour  Bwesigye ( Ntare School) 3rd  – Kaleka Salem Yoshua  ( Green Hill Academy ) A2. 1st –  Karaba Pearl ( Mt.St.Mary Namagunga) 2nd – Ngabirano Dan J( Ntare School) 3rd –  Mercy J. Babirye  ( Taibah International School ) B1 1st – Kalinda Nabakatsi Joelle ( Taibah International School ) 2nd – Mparanyi Mutuzi Andre ( Taibah International School ) 3rd Kajemba Ashuza Louis M. ( Gayaza High School)  University B1 1st – Obote Gerrard( Kyambogo University ) Received 1,000 Euros and the rest got tablets as contenders. 2nd – Rahab Nimusiima( Kyambogo University ) 3rd – Vivian Namubiru (Kyambogo Univesity)  Teachers. Kushemererwa Micheal ( Nabisunsa Girls ) Tumuhimbise Felix ( Green Hill Academy Kibuli The teachers will be traveling to France for ICT Training in language proficiency to improve their knowledge and skills that they will transfer and of course other goodies. In his comments after winning, Gerard Obote said he was happy to learn french and attributed his success and  Go who has been the source of Strength, and advised the rest to always focus on their dreams and desist from negative energy which God will handle.