HiPipo Money

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Right from the get go, GOtv has been punching well above its weight and this month the dynamic pay TV operator continues to champion its audiences’ right to great entertainment. This time it has partnered with the heavy hitters of African television, M-Net and SuperSport, to launch a new movie AND a new sports channel on June 20, offering even more action and entertainment to its GO-getters!

From love stories that will melt the heart, laugh fests to keep you giggling or action to get you fired up, M-Net Movies Zone is destined to become a popular viewing choice among fast growing GOtv Plus audiences. The channel has also conveniently scheduled family movies during the day, with comedies and romance scheduled at night. There will be six new movies released every week on the channel and if you miss any movie, the titles will be re-screened to give you more opportunities to view.

And the best news is that there are absolutely no ad breaks on this channel.  So you won’t go to commercials in the middle of that tense scene or have to wait until after the advert to see what happens next. Of course, in the M-Net tradition, you can expect to see some of the biggest stars in the world on M-Net Movies Zone so there’s Hollywood glamour and glitter to add a special sparkle to your day! In June look out for Laws of Attraction (Pierce Brosnan and Julianne Moore), Step Up (Channing Tatum), The Man (Samuel L. Jackson), Hidden Assassin (Dolph Lundgren) and Let Go (Kevin Hart).

Also making its debut on GOtv Plus is SuperSport Select 2, the sister channel to the already very popular SuperSport Select.  While the original Select channel will continue to screen African football; live games from the EPL, UEFA Champions League and Italian football; as well as delayed Spanish and Bundesliga games; plus other FIFA/CAF football, the reality is that the channel had so much sport (soccer, boxing and athletics) that the only way to accommodate it all was to launch a second channel!

SuperSport Select 2 will also include exciting football action as well as more boxing and athletics, plus some basketball. So whether you have hoop dreams, football fantasies, or track hopes, the channel is not short on inspiration. See some of the worlds’ fittest and fastest athletes as they race for glory, fight their way to the top and simply be the best at what they do.

“We all love a good story,” says GOtv Country Manager Patricia Kiconco “Whether it’s a game or a film, we all have our favorite characters and we want to see them shine. It’s emotional, watching a goal being scored or seeing a touching movie scene. So with these two new channels we are saying to GOtv Plus subscribers, here are more stories to make you happy and keep you entertained. GOtv is committed to ensuring that our audiences will always know that when it comes to providing value and delivering content, we are focused on being a market leader.”

The two channels are the latest additions to GOtv Plus which also includes news, kids, lifestyle and music programming. 

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MTN Uganda has today handed over 21 scholarships to lucky students who participated and excelled in an online aptitude exam under MTN Uganda’s 21 days of Y’ello Care. There were 5 regional winners from the Central, Northern, Western and Eastern/Southern each with an overall winner Joseph Owori, a student from Namilyango College; he had the highest score.

The aptitude exams were part of an initiative to popularize and encourage usage of an e-learning platform that MTN Uganda and Gayaza High School launched on the 31^st of June 2013.

This e-learning platform is an initiative geared at impacting and empowering learners with in the country through improved electronic educational content and user enabling apps.

 It gives students and teachers in Uganda free online access to educational material from the national syllabus, past exam papers and other relevant study material. Students are also able to share experiences and have access to teachers all the time to learn.

Speaking at the handover of the scholarships at Kibuli Secondary School in Kampala, Anthony Katamba, MTN Uganda GM Corporate Services said, “Education and ICT are both areas that are very close to our hearts at MTN because of their potential to transform the socio-economic status of a community. In fact education is one area that we have decided to focus our social investments as MTN Uganda. As the leading communications company in Uganda, we are very proud to champion the cause of e-learning.”

21 days of Y’ello care is an annual MTN group initiative in which staff take 21 days of their work schedule to take part financially, physically and emotionally in activities that touch and impact the lives of the people in the areas in which they do business. 

The theme this year has been “investing in Education,’ but skewed towards ICT in education. The 21 scholarships were funded through staff contributions. Individual departments with MTN also undertook separate projects in various institutions of learning, all under the theme ICT in education.

Mroue explained that all over the developing world, governments are strained by all the social requirements they need to invest in, and many a times, they are not able to fully invest in everything.

“It therefore calls upon private entities like MTN to come in and supplement government efforts through such investments in social infrastructure whose impact cannot be measured, and yet they make a whole lot of difference. As the number one corporate citizen, we are committed to doing our part,” Katamba said.

Jessica Alupo the Education minister thanked MTN Uganda for their continued support to Ugandans in different areas. “There is no sector that MTN Uganda has not touched with their social investments. And these are all very noble investments. If we have more private partners picking a leaf from MTN, government would be able to concentrate on building infrastructure and policy issues,” she said.

Below is the full list of all winners

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Madhvani Foundation has today announced that it has received scholarship applications in excess of 1,400 this academic year from students in various universities across the country that require financial assistance to complete their education. This year’s applications will be examined under the new leadership of Hon Anthony Butele who takes over from Hon Henry Kyemba as the Chairman of the Madhvani Foundation Scholarship committee.

Commenting on his appointment, Hon Anthony Butele said, “I am honoured to be entrusted with such a pivotal role in an organization that is doing so much to shape the socio-economic landscape of the country through supporting the growth and development of a competent and skilled talented human resource pool. We will continue to dedicate our time and resources to ensuring that students with the highest potential but without adequate financial backing receive some much needed support through a transparent selection process.”

Speaking about the applications he said, “It is students like these that give Madhvani Foundation a sense of purpose to continue dedicating large amounts of money from year to year in order to support their education. They are all brilliant students and all they need is someone to give them a little push so they can realize their career dreams. The applications will be scrutinized carefully and any form of fraud or canvassing will not be tolerated and will result in the disqualification of an applicant’s entry. We hope that this year even more students will benefit from the opportunity offered by the Foundation. Applicants will be notified of any progress in the application process through our website and successful candidates will be contacted for personal interviews in July.”

He concluded by advising all candidates to always remain hopeful and reassured them that through its over 10 years of support, the scheme has maintained its standards of transparency as well as a fair selection committee and this will continue.

Applicants should check www.madhvanifoundation.com for updates as often as possible.

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Speedway Motorsports Club (SMOC) together with Total Uganda on Wednesday 12^th June launched the fourth round of the Mountain Dew National Motocross championship at the Total Filling station, Wampewo Avenue .This adrenaline filled race will take place on Sunday 16th June 2013 at the Lubiri Grounds Mengo.

SMOC decided to bring great motocross entertainment closer to the people therefore the choice of Lubiri track that is proximally located and enhances the mobility of spectators better than any other venue. Bringing a national motocross championship (with the last one having been held in 2005)  to this venue that’s popularly known for rally sprints wouldn’t have been possible if not for our major sponsors MOUNTAIN DEW, TOTAL ,IAA/Resolution health , UAP/AON , Safe Solutions and Fotogenix.

The track which has been modified up to the latest FMU acceptable standards; with particular attention taken in terms of a design that ensures rider safety and level grounded competition.

 SMOC received a huge boost from the invaluable TOTAL Uganda (5 Million ugx) Fuel package, since 2012, this company’s pertinent support has come a long way in improving the motocross sport in general by providing fuel and cash incentives to venue owners and event organizers who in turn trickle these fringe benefits to the riders and spectators through international level tracks, fuel for riders at all events let alone coordination fuel for the general race organization.

TOTAL has also added glamour and plush to our events by cash sponsoring MX Prize giving budgets (to a tune of 3,000,000 cash for trophies and certificates), this has greatly impacted on the rider motivation and drive leading to better competition   .

To raise spectator hairs, Jarred Van Vuuren , an 18 year  South African  freestyle motocross rider was sourced to feature as the special guest rider for this race , for the first time in Uganda, spectators will pay to watch the rider show off great sky jump antiques while utilizing the adrenaline triggering ramp built by world renown American fmx rider Justin Homan, the excitable performance from the 18 year old freestyler is expected to give a huge boost in terms of attendance  .

 Betterstill 10 time National champion Arthur Blick Junior returns to the dirt track(due to public demand from his fan base ), the charged stalwart vows to put up an exceptional feat against all MX1 competitors

Mountain Dew who is our title sponsor and has injected the biggest lot in this race,has also laid out an array of great activities like video gaming competitions and artiste performances by  Bebe Cool and Bobi Wine  and  lots of prizes for winning among others, Mountain Dew’s all out sponsorship to motocross has led the sport to grow from small competitor and spectator  numbers to mammoth crowds like the one expected at this weekend’s race, they are at the forefront of motocross development in Uganda .

IAA/Resolution Health will provide emergency medical attention and health support for the event, with their wealth of experience in motocross, their priceless sponsorship has averted injury based risks at all races in Uganda for the past 5 years, they are one of the reasons that rider numbers are growing , the group’s marriage with motocross is one that cannot be done without.

Motocross in Uganda and SMOC in particular  has had a deep relationship with UAP/AON for over 7 years , the insurers not only cover our third party liability at races but have also sponsored our national  teams travel to international races like in Kenya and South Africa, for this race they will cater for any liabilities arising with our spectators while negotiations are underway for UAP to offer travel insurance to our equipment and team when they travel for the upcoming Central African Challenge this month.

Fotogenix Limited will provide us with event equipment while Safe Solutions will give us the very crucial Fire Fighting equipment for the day.   

Gates open at 8am and entry fee is 10,000/= per person (which comes with a free mountain dew).

The title sponsor for this race is Mountain Dew while co sponsors are;   TOTAL UGANDA, IAA Healthcare/Resolution Health, AON / UAP, Safe solutions and Fotogenix.

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British Airways is poised to become the first airline in Europe to introduce both the Airbus A380 and the Boeing 787 into its fleet.

The airline will take delivery into the UK of its first two 787s on consecutive days, June 26 and 27, followed by its first A380 on July 4. They will arrive around mid-morning. 

Keith Williams, chief executive, said: “The delivery of these exciting aircraft opens a new chapter in British Airways’ history. We are proud to be leading the way in Europe in operating both these aircraft types.

“Over the next 12 months, we will take delivery of new long-haul aircraft at an average rate of one every two weeks.

 “These deliveries form the centrepiece of the £5bn investment British Airways is making in new aircraft, smarter cabins, superb lounges and new technologies to make travel more comfortable in the air and on the ground.

“Both aircraft types make major environmental advances and will contribute toward our ambitious targets for noise and carbon reduction.”

Following their arrival, both aircraft types will begin a complex ‘entry into service’ programme, which will see pilot and cabin crew training taking place at Manston Airport in Kent, customer service trials at Heathrow and short-haul flying for both aircraft, including flights within the UK.

Seats on the A380 are currently on sale for travel from October 15 to Los Angeles and from November 15 to Hong Kong. However the airline is advising enthusiasts eager to be on the very first long-haul services to hold off booking as the dates of the inaugural services are yet to be announced.

The first destinations for the 787s, and the date tickets go on sale, will be unveiled shortly. 

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MTN Uganda has launched the schools e-learning platform in partnership with Gayaza High school. The team travelled to Mvara Secondary School in Arua which is the selected hub school for the Northern regions. This will open up vast opportunities for students in the North and West Nile to access relevant educational material on the internet.

The launch takes place as part of activities under the 21 days of Y’ello care, a 21 day long MTN staff volunteerism initiative in which employees across MTN’s international footprint take time off to physically get involved in activities that uplift communities around them through financial, physical and emotional contributions of staff and MTN as a corporate citizen.

The theme of this year’s activities is, “Investing in Education”, but with a special focus on ICT in education, which is coherent with MTN’s new vision, “To lead in the delivery of a bold new digital world to our customers.”

In line with this new vision, and as part of the activities for this year’s campaign, MTN Uganda in partnership with Gayaza High School launched an e-learning platform in June 2012 that enables students from schools across the country to access educational material from the recommended national syllabus as well as other relevant materials.

To win the scholarships, MTN and Gayaza are initially working with 50 participating schools that will be required to each register at least five students to take part in an on- line aptitude exam with 50 questions to be answered correctly within one hour and 15 minutes.

The aptitude test will be marked by the system and results provided instantly in real time. The tests will be done at regional hub schools where participating students and schools will converge on the 14^th June. On this day, mentorship and career guidance classes will also be conducted for participating students.

Anthony Katamba, MTN Uganda’s  GM corporate services said; that the e-learning platform is an initiative geared at impacting and empowering learners with in the country through improved electronic educational content and user enabling apps, considering that the whole world is now going online.

“At MTN, we believe in empowerment of the communities in various areas. Education is one such area which is very close to our hearts because of the direct link between improved literacy and the socio-economic status of any community. The partnership on this e-learning platform will therefore empower and enable students from all regions, both rural and urban, not only access quality education efficiently, but also improve their ICT knowledge, skills and exposure, along the way,” said Katamba.

Mvara SSS is the hub school for the north and West Nile, Gayaza high School for central, Mwiri College for Eastern, and Bweranyangi Girls School for Western.

The MTN Uganda Chief Marketing Officer, Ernst Fonternel said, “The funding of the project is solely dependent on contributions from MTN Staff who also physically get involved in the campaign activities. Leveraging on our regional presence across the country, the planned activities will allow a cross section of our staff to participate in this worthy Corporate Social Responsibility initiative. MTN Uganda firmly believes that ICT sector holds tremendous promise as an enabler of social development especially in Education”.

As part of a drive to generate positive content for the e-learning platform, MTN Uganda will also initiate a competition on its Facebook page with the objective of acquiring innovative content & applications to support the Uganda Schools eLearning platform. MTN has the largest local Facebook Fan base currently at 110,000 fans, a sufficient platform to generate relevant content based on defined criteria. 

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Kampala

Twenty one students from twenty one different schools around the country will each win a fully paid scholarship from MTN Uganda this year following the launch of the annual 21 days of Y’ello Care staff initiative.

21 days of Y’ello Care is an annual 21 day long MTN staff volunteerism initiative in which employees across MTN’s international footprint take time off to physically get involved in activities that uplift communities around them through financial, physical and emotional contributions of staff and MTN as a corporate citizen.

The theme this year is, “Investing in Education”, but with a special focus on ICT in education, which is coherent with MTN’s new vision, “To lead in the delivery of a bold new digital world to our customers.”

In line with this new vision, and as part of the activities for this year’s campaign, MTN Uganda in partnership with Gayaza High School launched an e-learning platform in June 2012 that enables students from schools across the country to access educational material from the recommended national syllabus as well as other relevant materials.

To win the scholarships, MTN and Gayaza are initially working with 50 participating schools that will be required to each register at least five students to take part in an on- line aptitude exam with 50 questions to be answered correctly within one hour and 15 minutes.

The aptitude test will be marked by the system and results provided instantly in real time. The tests will be done at regional hub schools where participating students and schools will converge on the 14^th June. On this day, mentorship and career guidance classes will also be conducted for participating students.

Anthony Katamba  MTN Uganda’s GM – Corporate Services explained that the e-learning platform is an initiative geared at impacting and empowering learners with in the country through improved electronic educational content and user enabling apps, considering that the whole world is now going online.

“At MTN, we believe in empowerment of the communities in various areas. Education is one such area which is very close to our hearts because of the direct link between improved literacy and the socio-economic status of any community. The partnership on this e-learning platform will therefore empower and enable students from all regions, both rural and urban, not only access quality education efficiently, but also improve their ICT knowledge, skills and exposure, along the way,” Katamba said.

The hub schools for the regional activations this year are Makerere College for central, Mwiri College for Eastern, Mvara Secondary School Northern and Bweranyangi Girls School for Western. The scholarships have been split equally among regions, to make 20, but with one additional special one to make the 21.

There will also be a two day workshop starting 6^th June to empower and equip head teachers and other key teachers from participating schools on e-learning change management as well as motivational speeches from the MTN senior management team.

The MTN Uganda CEO, Mazen Mroué said, “The funding of the project is solely dependent on contributions from MTN Staff who also physically get involved in the campaign activities. Leveraging on our regional presence across the country, the planned activities will allow a cross section of our staff to participate in this worthy Corporate Social Responsibility initiative. MTN Uganda firmly believes that ICT sector holds tremendous promise as an enabler of social development especially in Education”.

As part of a drive to generate positive content for the e-learning platform, MTN Uganda will also initiate a competition on its Facebook page with the objective of acquiring innovative content & applications to support the Uganda Schools eLearning platform. MTN has the largest local Facebook Fan base currently at 110,000 fans, a sufficient platform to generate relevant content based on defined criteria. 

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Bell Lager Unveils New Model in Sports Entertainment

……….as the Bell Fiesta promises to be a win for soccer and music fans in Uganda

The Bell Fiesta, scheduled to kick off in a big show at Legends Grounds represents the first ever soccer and music mix event in Uganda aimed at providing the ultimate experience to soccer and music lovers in an atmosphere of fun, competition and excitement.

It is an electrifying concept that involves various fun and challenging team and individual soccer activities like Timed Dribbling, Computer Football Gaming, Inflatable Goal Penalty Shootouts, Foosball and the ultimate thriller – Human Football Table.

Human Table Foosball is a twist to the classic game of football played in a giant life size inflatable version of the old classic Table Football (Foosball) bar game and is one of the most exciting competitive games.

People will get together into teams of 7 and hold onto bars that will limit their movements, much like what we see in foosball. The trick is to use teamwork to win even with these restrictions; it’s fun at its best.

“This is part of Bell Lager’s commitment to deliver to our consumers a creative form of recreation in a world that’s increasingly busy and mundane; we are giving everybody out there something new and fun to look forward to,” said Grace Nshemeire-Gwaku, Uganda Breweries Limited Marketing Director.

Scheduled to be held in over 20 locations in Kampala and selected towns around the country, it is anticipated that over 20,000 spectators and participants will descend on the various Bell Fiesta venues put their teamwork to the test in fun filled evening events.

Uganda’s soccer fans will be treated to an opportunity to become a real-life soccer action figure and compete against your friends in a fun-filled experience

“The Bell Fiesta features more than just the thrilling sports competition and music,” says Robert Nsibirwa, Bell Lager Brand Manager. “It will immerse attendees into the Bell Nation’s electrifying music and entertainment culture.”

Those attending will enjoy captivating music performances from local artists, good food, halftime dancers and cheerleaders, an after party with a live DJ and the chance to win many prizes and giveaways with complements from Bell Lager.

“It is great games, it is great fun and it is 100% Bell Lager,” says Robert. Join in and be part of something amazing!”

 “We want to encourage as many people as possible people from across the country to participate in Bell Fiesta. We are confident that the event will be a fantastic day out with a great program for both sports and music enthusiasts,” added Grace Nshemeire-Gwaku.

In the Bell Nation anything is possible, good times last longer, friendships grow stronger, plans are made and the future shines bright. Sport and Football in particular play a significant role in bringing people together, breaking down barriers and helping people to see and appreciate different perspectives which expounds on the larger Bell Nation Campaign.

The inaugural Bell Fiesta will build on the inclusive nature of football while at the same time provide a platform for people from all backgrounds living to interact, celebrate the rich diversity around them while taking part in the beautiful game.

Entrance to the Bell Fiesta events will be free.