MTN Uganda has allocated Shs500 million to fund 25 community initiatives under the fourth phase of its Change Makers campaign, Nile Post reported. This latest commitment builds on a history of investment where the MTN Foundation previously poured more than Shs1.5 billion into over 75 projects. Those earlier efforts reached more than 119,000 individuals across the nation. The new funding round targets 25 beneficiaries who will each receive Shs20 million to address local social and economic hurdles. This selection process drew from a pool of 2,607 applications submitted from all five regions of Uganda.
Sylvia Mulinge, the chief executive officer of MTN Uganda, unveiled the beneficiaries at Beles Bubu Africa, a refugee-founded group in Kampala. Mulinge explained that the program aims to empower people who take practical steps to solve community problems rather than waiting for external help. She stated, "I am truly inspired by people who don’t wait for change to happen but take the initiative to make it happen." The campaign focuses on identifying innovative approaches used by individuals and organizations to tackle persistent challenges. This fourth phase extends the reach of the initiative to new communities that were not covered in previous rounds.
During the launch event, MTN donated information and communication technology equipment valued at Shs20 million to Beles Bubu Africa. The package included laptops, cameras, projectors, and internet connectivity tools. These items are intended to strengthen the organization’s Digital Futures Hub, which provides digital literacy, media training, and entrepreneurship education to more than 700 refugees and young people. Kisanet Tedro, the founder of Beles Bubu Africa, noted that the support is designed to extend assistance to communities throughout Uganda. The equipment will help the group document cultural heritage and produce educational content.
The 25 selected projects are expected to benefit more than 119,000 people through their activities. The support aims to expand community services and improve access to digital tools. Nile Post reported that the initiative is designed to respond to local needs by strengthening community-led solutions. The MTN Change Makers program continues to identify and support groups using innovative methods to address social and economic issues. This phase marks a significant expansion of the company’s community investment strategy in Uganda.