MTN Uganda has committed $13.3 million (UGX 50.55 billion) to fund digital expansion and close connectivity gaps in underserved communities countrywide.
This major step toward bridging the digital divide is the largest-ever annual contribution to the Uganda Communications Commission’s Universal Service and Access Fund (UCUSAF).
Sylvia Mulinge, MTN Uganda CEO, made the announcement, made during a stakeholder meeting at the UCC headquarters in Kampala.
She underlined that MTN Uganda is intensifying efforts to support digital inclusion and national ICT development.
The contribution marks a sharp rise from $11,59 million (UGX 42.5 billion) in 2024 and $9.81 million (UGX 36 billion) in 2023.
“We believe that everyone deserves the benefits of a modern, connected life. This contribution is part of our broader strategy to support the transformation of Uganda into a fully digital economy, by not only investing in infrastructure but also enabling affordability, access, and digital skills,” said Mulinge.
Under Ugandan law, all telecom operators are required to contribute 2% of their annual gross revenues to UCUSAF, which funds initiatives to enhance connectivity and access in remote and marginalised areas.
The executive director of the Uganda Communications Commission, Nyombi Thembo, commended MTN for its consistency and commitment.
“Although the financial contribution being announced today is a legal obligation under the terms of your licence, what we appreciate deeply is the spirit with which you meet this obligation. You continue to pay consistently, and on time,” he said
The move comes amid urgent calls to tackle Uganda’s low smartphone usage. As of the end of 2024, only 35.6% of Uganda’s 51 million mobile subscribers use smartphones, far behind Kenya’s 72% and South Africa’s 90%.
MTN has responded with initiatives like the M-Kabode Supa smartphone financing program and partnerships to increase affordability, helping to raise smartphone penetration on its network from 39.1% to 44.9% in the past year.
Beyond infrastructure, MTN is also driving digital literacy. It has launched 63 ICT labs across schools and runs the MTN Internet Bus to deliver training directly to communities.
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