MTN Uganda Foundation donates items to Kilembe Mines Hospital

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MTN Uganda, through the MTN Uganda Foundation has donated an assortment of items to Kilembe Mines Hospital in Kasese as an effort to contribute to the welfare of the people following the aftermath of flood disaster which hit Kasese earlier this year in May, leaving in its wake immense challenges including poor sanitation and hygiene. 

The donation which included 100 hospital beds, 100 mattresses, 100 blankets and 100 mosquito nets were handed over to the Minister of Health, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda who received them on behalf of   the hospital management at a function presided over by the Minister of Health- Honourable Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda. MTN also provided additional support by painting the Children’s ward.

At the beginning of May 2013 heavy rains caused the banks of the Nyamwamba River to burst, which resulted in flooding in Western Uganda’s Kasese district. Eight people were confirmed dead, and over 25,000 have been affected. The flooding has caused widespread destruction of houses, crops and facilities such as bridges, roads and power lines. Major infrastructures such as a hospital and sewage treatment unit were also been damaged.

A recent survey by Africa Climate Change Resilience Alliance, a regional NGO, notes; “Increased intensity of flash floods in Kasese has led to erosion of fields, both high and low lands reported the negative impact of unpredictable seasons on cropping patterns and resultant low yields leading to reduced food availability. Mosquitoes which were unheard of in the district are now common and malaria cases have become common”.

It is against that background that MTN Uganda has come up with the donation to identify with the people of Kasese.

MTN Uganda’s CEO Mazen Mrouè, underscored MTN’s commitment to continue identifying with the vulnerable communities in the country adding that the Company has always been at hand to give a helping hand whenever necessary. Over the last 15 years since MTN Uganda started operations in Uganda, it has partnered with the Uganda Government and a number of relief agencies in matters of disaster response.

 “At MTN Uganda, we realize and understand the importance of continued support towards the communities where we operate. The floods destroyed property and affected the lives of the people of Kasese. This greatly shocked the nation and the world and deeply touched us at MTN and that’s why we decided to come in and help,” said Mrouè.

“Governments all over the world are over whelmed by emergencies like these, and most times, especially in the developing world it is important for partners to answer the call and provide support for the relief efforts. As Uganda’s number one corporate citizen, we believe it’s our obligation to support government efforts in areas like these,” Mroué added.

In 1999, MTN partnered with Habitat for Humanity to build homes for displaced people the first being in Mbale and Hoima districts.  Since then, MTN Uganda has built a total of 237 homes in partnership with Habitat for Humanity housing close to 1380 individuals; this is the largest number of homes funded by a corporate company.

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. Over the past five years since its launch, the MTN Foundation has supported a number of initiatives in the areas of Education, Health, Arts and Culture, Environment, Community Development and Low cost housing.

Honourable Rugunda hailed MTN for the initiative saying that MTN, through the Foundation has proved that the company has the welfare of the country at heart.

“As government we welcome this initiative by the MTN Foundation and applaud you for partnering with us in extending the reach of much needed support to the people of Kasese. We would also like to express our most sincere gratitude to Board of the Foundation for having initiated this process and now we can finally see the benefits of their actions,” concluded Honourable Rugunda

About MTN Uganda

Launched in 1998, MTN Uganda is the leading communications operator in Uganda, offering Mobile and Fixed telecommunications, Mobile Money Services and Internet Service Provisioning. As of 30 September 2013, MTN Uganda recorded 8.4 million subscribers across Uganda. Visit us at www.mtn.co.ug and for our football fans www.mtnfootball.com. Customers can also follow us on www.youtube.com/mtnug and www.twitter.com/mtnugandacare for assistance.

About the MTN Group

Launched in 1994, the MTN Group is a leading emerging market operator, connecting subscribers in 22 countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The MTN Group is listed on the JSE Securities Exchange in South Africa under the share code: “MTN.” As of 30 September 2013, MTN recorded 203.8 million subscribers across its operations in Afghanistan, Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Cyprus, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Republic, Iran, Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of Congo (Congo Brazzaville), Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, South Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Uganda, Yemen and Zambia. Visit. Visit us at, www.mtnbusiness.com , www.mtn.com www.mtnmmo.com  and for our football fans www.mtnfootball.com