MTN Uganda hands over inclusive ICT Lab to Iganga Secondary School

MTN Uganda, through the MTN Foundation’s Digital Access Project, has  handed over a fully equipped, inclusive ICT lab to Iganga Secondary School in Eastern Uganda.

The state-of-the-art facility, designed to serve both learners with normal vision and those with visual impairments, marks a major step forward in advancing inclusive digital education in Uganda.

Speaking at the handover ceremony on April.30, Brian Mbasa, Senior Manager, MTN Foundation, expressed the Foundation’s commitment to ensuring technology is accessible to all, emphasizing that inclusion must be at the heart of Uganda’s digital future.

“Technology should be a bridge—not a barrier. Through this ICT lab, we are opening doors to dignity, independence, and unlimited opportunities for every learner at Iganga Secondary School. We are proud to stand alongside partners who share our vision of an inclusive, connected future for Uganda,” Mbasa said.

Mbasa added that MTN Uganda believes that everyone should enjoy the benefits of a modern, connected life, regardless of their social or economic background.

The ICT lab, part of a UGX 1 billion investment by the MTN Foundation, features 10 computers equipped with JAWS software for learners with visual impairments, sound amplifiers, scanners, printers, and a year of free internet connectivity. It is part of a broader initiative under which 11 ICT labs are being established across the country, including five in inclusive schools like Iganga SS.

Iganga Secondary School, which accommodates more than 1,900 students—21 of whom are visually impaired—is one of only two secondary schools in the entire Busoga region offering inclusive education.

Receiving the donation, Monica Nakaziba Kayira, Headmistress of Iganga Secondary School, hailed the intervention as transformative.

“This ICT lab will level the playing field for all our learners. For the first time, students with visual impairments will have the same opportunity as their peers to develop essential digital skills. We are grateful to MTN Uganda and all partners for believing in the potential of every student at Iganga Secondary School,” she said.

The project was co-implemented with Sense International Uganda, a leading advocate for inclusive education for learners with disabilities.

“We’ve found that supporting a child with visual impairment can cost up to ten times more than supporting a child without one,” said Edward Otim, Regional Director at Sense International Uganda. “That’s why MTN’s donations of these computers is more than just a contribution of technology—it’s a significant investment in inclusion.”

“This new computer lab is a game-changer,” he added. “With adaptive technologies such as screen readers, braille printers, and Orbit readers, learners with visual impairments can now access learning materials, participate in lessons, and receive their results at the same time as their peers. No more delays.”

Sarah Kwagala Tenywa, the District Inspector of Schools Iganga District Local Government, emphasized the urgent need for ICT literacy, urging both learners and educators to embrace technology for success in today’s digital world. She praised Iganga SS for championing inclusive education in Busoga together with MTN Uganda.

The Digital Access Project aligns with MTN Uganda’s Ambition 2025 strategy to drive Africa’s progress through digital solutions and supports key national frameworks such as Uganda’s Vision 2040 and the Digital Transformation Roadmap. Globally, the initiative contributes toward the attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Today’s handover reaffirms MTN Uganda’s belief that every learner, regardless of background or ability, deserves access to the digital tools they need to succeed—and that when we work together, no one is left behind.

So far, MTN Uganda has established 63 ICT labs in educational institutions countrywide, including nine in technical and vocational institutions.

The MTN Uganda Foundation is a not-for-profit legal entity that was inaugurated in July 2007 as a vehicle through which MTN Uganda implements its corporate social investments (CSI). The Foundation strives to improve the quality of life in communities where MTN Uganda operates in a sustainable way. Its purpose is to bring about meaningful, measurable, and sustainable change that helps disadvantaged and rural communities to become self-sufficient. With a focus on innovative technology, we aim to uplift communities towards independence in this bold new digital world. The Foundation invests resources for social redress, thus economic empowerment, education, health, and humanitarian response. The Foundation implements projects that are highly enabled by ICT solutions.

MTN Uganda is a leading telecoms company in Uganda with a primary objective of carrying on the business of a national operator of a telecommunications network pursuant to the National Telecommunications Operator (NTO) licence granted by the Uganda Telecommunications Commission (UCC). Among our offerings are network services, digital and financial technology services, interconnect and roaming, sale of mobile devices, and MTN Mobile Money (conducted through subsidiary MTN Mobile Money Uganda Limited). MTN has a presence in all 134 districts of Uganda. Services are delivered through a network of over 202,000 MoMo agents, 382,000 MoMo merchants, 200 service stores and 13 main distributors. For the full year period ended June 30, 2024, MTN Uganda had 20.7 million subscribers, 12.5 million MoMo users, and 8.8 million active data users.