Introduction
The MTN Uganda Foundation is the corporate social investment arm of MTN Uganda, supporting sustainable programs in education, health, economic empowerment, digital inclusion, and humanitarian response across Uganda.
History and Background
The MTN Uganda Foundation was inaugurated in July 2007 as a not-for-profit legal entity through which MTN Uganda implements its corporate social investment activities.
The Foundation was established to consolidate the company’s community investments and contribute to poverty reduction and sustainable development in Uganda. Since 2013, its interventions interventions have been guided primarily by three program areas: education, health, and economic(MTN Uganda)100search0″}}
Mission and Purpose
The MTN Uganda Foundation seeks to improve the quality of life in the communities where MTN Uganda operates through meaningful, measurable, and sustainable interventions.
Its purpose is to help disadvantaged, underserved, and rural communities become more self-sufficient. The Foundation places particular emphasis on using information and communication technology to expand access to education, employment opportunities, healthcare, entrepreneurship, and essential community services.
Its work supports social inclusion and Uganda’s digital transformation by helping communities acquire the infrastructure, knowledge, and practical skills required to participate in an increasingly connected economy.
Governance and Structure
The MTN Uganda Foundation operates as a not-for-profit entity associated with MTN Uganda. Its activities form part of the company’s broader corporate social investment and sustainability framework.
The Foundation is overseen through a governance structure that includes an MTN Foundation Board and trustees. Programs are implemented through internal teams and partnerships with government institutions, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, healthcare providers, community groups, and development partners.
MTN Uganda publishes information about the Foundation’s governance, activities, projects, reports, and partnerships through its corporate website and annual reporting mechanisms.
Funding and Grants
MTN Uganda has committed one percent of its annual profit after tax to the MTN Uganda Foundation since 2007. The Foundation also works with credible public, private, and nonprofit partners to finance and implement sustainable commun(MTN Uganda)0search31″]}}
The Foundation provides financial and in-kind assistance for selected community initiatives. Funding may include equipment, ICT infrastructure, training resources, facility improvements, connectivity, technical assistance, and other project-specific support.
Through the MTN Changemakers initiative, the Foundation supports community projects addressing education, health, economic empowerment, agriculture, environmental protection, water, and sanitation. During its third phase, 25 projects were selected to receive support of up to UGX 20 million each, representing a total commitment of UGX(MTN Uganda)100search5″}}
Applicants and organizations interested in collaborating with the Foundation must demonstrate that their proposed interventions align with its vision, objectives, and program priorities.
Major Programs and Initiatives
Digital Access Program
The Digital Access Program is a flagship MTN Uganda Foundation initiative that provides rural, remote, and underserved communities with ICT infrastructure and internet connectivity.
The program establishes ICT resource centres and digital hubs where community members and students can access computers, online services, and digital learning opportunities. Since 2007, the Foundation has supported 94 ICT centres with devices, connectivity, or relat(MTN Uganda)100search2″}}
The Foundation has also established inclusive ICT hubs in schools serving learners with disabilities. These facilities support teaching and learning while extending the benefits of digital connectivity to students who may otherwise have limited access to technology.
Digital Literacy Program
The Digital Literacy Program uses the MTN Internet Bus to deliver practical computer and internet training to women and young people in rural, peri-urban, and underserved communities.
Training covers foundational computer skills, responsible internet use, email communication, online navigation, and practical digital tools. Since 2022, the program has conducted 52 digital literacy camps across 41 Ugandan districts and trained 6,733 women and (MTN Uganda)100search2″}}
MTN Ace Program
The MTN Ace Program is a nationwide youth empowerment initiative that develops digital, entrepreneurial, workplace, and business skills. It includes the Ace Skilling, Ace Career, and Ace Enterprise components.
Ace Skilling helps young people apply ICT skills to challenges involving education, agriculture, health, technology, and youth empowerment. Ace Career combines workplace preparation with structured internship opportunities for recent graduates, while Ace Enterprise supports technology-oriented entrepreneurship and innovation.
The Foundation reports that 100 graduate trainees participated in its workplace program, with 93 percent subsequently securing forma(MTN Uganda)100search1″}}
MTN Skills Academy
The MTN Skills Academy is a free pan-African digital learning platform offering courses in digital literacy, financial literacy, career guidance, workplace readiness, data analytics, programming, product analysis, and digital marketing.
In Uganda, the platform helps young people develop skills relevant to employment and entrepreneurship. By May 2026, 12,368 learners had registered, and 4,197 had completed at leas(MTN Uganda)100search1″}}
Girls in Tech and Vocational Skills
The Foundation’s Girls with Tools initiative challenges traditional gender roles by helping underprivileged young women acquire technical, vocational, and STEM-related skills.
Training areas include electrical installation, mechanics, plumbing, construction, tailoring, hairdressing, and ICT. The first two phases trained 1,000 young people, while a further 500 participants entered the third phase. The program targets 80 percent female participation and 20 percent male p(MTN Uganda)100search1″}}
Healthcare Initiatives
The MTN Uganda Foundation works to improve access to healthcare by supporting health facilities, maternal and neonatal services, disability programs, medical outreach, and specialized health initiatives.
Its interventions have included constructing the Lela Obaro II Health Centre in Gulu, renovating and furnishing maternity wards, and supporting Rotary Family Health Days, maternal health projects, cancer-care initiatives, fistula treatment, and heart-c(MTN Uganda)100search6″}}
MTN Changemakers
MTN Changemakers identifies individuals and organizations implementing practical solutions to community challenges. Selected initiatives receive in-kind assistance and support to extend their services and increase their impact.
The program prioritizes sustainable projects that address genuine community needs, involve local stakeholders, and produce direct benefits for residents. More than 50 projects received support during its initial phases, representing an investment of UGX 1 billion and reaching more than 23(MTN Uganda)100search5″}}
Impact and Examples of Work Funded
The MTN Uganda Foundation reports implementing projects at 997 sites and reaching thousands of communities across Uganda. Its investments have expanded digital access, improved community health infrastructure, strengthened vocational training, and created learning and employment o(MTN Uganda)100search0″}}
One supported Changemakers project provided sewing machines and fabric to the Migeera Women Centre of Influence. The assistance enabled the centre to expand vocational training in tailoring and entrepreneurship for women and other community members.
The Foundation has also created ICT hubs in inclusive schools, delivered mobile digital training through the MTN Internet Bus, renovated maternity facilities, provided healthcare equipment, and supported young people with workplace experience and internationally relevant digital skills.
MTN Uganda reported investing UGX 5.1 billion in Foundation initiatives covering education, health, digital inclusion, and community development(MTN Uganda)00search19″}}
Conclusion
The MTN Uganda Foundation uses corporate investment, technology, partnerships, and community-led programs to advance inclusive development across Uganda. Its work in digital education, youth skills, healthcare, economic empowerment, and community infrastructure helps underserved populations access opportunities and build greater self-reliance.
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