HiPipo Money

In Picture (Left – Right) Hon. Speaker of Parliament and Patron of the Busoga Tourism Initiative(BTI) Rebecca Kadaga,  MTNs Corporate Affairs Manager, Justina Ntabgoba, MTNs GM Corporate Services, Anthony Katamba & Hon Edward Baliddawa, MP Kigulu County North Iganga District

———

Kampala, Uganda – 9th May, 2013

MTN Foundation has handed over a donation of UShs. 10 million towards the unveiling of Kagulu Hill, in Busoga Region.

Kagulu Hill located in Buyende District and some 30km from Kamuli town is an imposing attraction that apart from its scenic splendor has deep cultural and historical significance in Busoga.

Kagulu Hill rises at 3,600ft above sea level and while at its summit, it offers a magnificent panoramic view of Busoga, Lango and Teso regions.

The combination of the majestic impression of the rock and the scenic beauty that it offers of its surroundings and the cultural heritage it signifies have for many years drawn the locals to Kagulu Hill.

“Uganda is endowed with plenty of natural and cultural resources which can form the basis for a very lucrative industry, creating employment and generating income, and as MTN Uganda, we realize and understand that tourism has the power to play a significant role this,” said Anthony Katamba, GM Corporate Services, MTN Uganda.

The Honorable Speaker of Parliament and Patron Busoga Tourism Initiative, Rebecca Kadaga, said that MTN Uganda’s contribution will go a long way in supporting the initiatives efforts in making Kagulu Hill a valued tourist attraction added to the Eastern Uganda Tourist Circuit and be able to spur socio-economic transformation of the people of Busoga.

She thanked the MTN Uganda Foundation for their support towards the drive.

As part of the effort to raise awareness to a much wider audience of this beautiful attraction in Eastern Uganda, the Busoga Tourism Initiative (BTI) is organizing an official unveiling of this jewel through a climbing competition scheduled for the 11th May 2013.

Since 2009, in the area of tourism, the MTN Foundation has partnered with Community Based Tourism Initiative (COBATI), a non profit NGO whose main purpose is to support local people in Uganda to participate and benefit from tourism and its related initiatives. MTN’s partnership with COBATI was specially designed to empower the Nubian Community in Bombo, and indeed Uganda as a whole, through rural-based tourism.

The Nubians are essentially known and reputable for preserving their cultural heritage and traditions, expressed through unique colourful handcraft, dance and culinary skills.

“We are a multi-faceted cultural country. This directly means that we have a lot to show the world. We have various traditions practices that in such colourful and beautiful ways capture our way of life which besides being a source of national pride, should be used to better our lives,” Katamba concluded.

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.

The MTN Uganda Foundation partners with both public and non-profit credible organizations to execute sustainable projects in each of the chosen focus areas. The Foundation is committed to ensuring that the selection and approval of its projects are conducted in a manner that is transparent, systematic, efficient, and effective while promoting its mission.

In 2013 and onwards, the MTN Foundation will focus on three key areas so as to leverage scale to achieve significant development impact.

The three sectors will be Education, Health and National Priority Areas under which Tourism falls.

-Ends-

About MTN Uganda

Launched in 1998, MTN Uganda is the leading telecommunications firm in country with more than 7.7 million customers as of 31 December 2012.

Visit us at www.mtn.co.ug; www.youtube.com/mtnug; www.facebook.com/mtnug and www.twitter.com/mtnugandacare.

About the MTN Group

Launched in 1994, the MTN Group is a leading emerging market operator, connecting subscribers in 22 countries in Africa and the Middle East. The MTN Group is listed on the JSE Securities Exchange in South Africa under the share code: “MTN.” As of 31 December 2012, MTN recorded almost 190 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 us at www.mtn.com and www.mtnfootball.com.

——–

——

………..as Ugandans falter at the Pan-African stage

The best contestants from the qualifying stage of the Guinness Football Challenge season 3 which pitted Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania were dramatically ushered into the quarter final level at the Pan-African Game where they face off with their West African counterparts – Cameroun and Ghana.

Ugandan contestants had in the preliminary stage been eliminated after facing stiff competition from their next door neighbours, Kenya and Tanzania, but as it is in the game of football, a wildcard team was included which saw Uganda’s pair of Ibrahim Kawooya and Alex Muyobo represent the country as the best runners up in the East African show.

But as fate would have it, they failed to live up to the challenge by first failing to win cash in the ‘Mystery Goalkeeper/Cash Ball’ Challenge and consequently being bundled out in the first round of their quarterfinal.

There will be four quarter final rounds where contestants stand to win a maximum of 48,000USD. With two teams proceeding to the semifinals which promise to be more exciting and challenging, it will be interesting to see how East Africa levels up with the hitherto giants of African football, Cameroun and Ghana.

Flavia Tumusiime, the Ugandan co-host of the preliminary rounds of the Challenge has also given the mantle to the very talented Mimi Kalinda from South Africa who joins Larry Asego in co-hosting the show that now includes French translations for the benefit of the francophone countries and contestants.

The show has become even more interesting and challenging with the inclusion of activities like ‘Giant Bins’ which are set to excite football lovers across Africa as contestants step up to the challenge of demonstrating that they are made of more!

——-

Kampala, Uganda

Between 30th October 2012 to 30th April 2013, MTN Uganda official Facebook page has been followed by at least 40,000 new users.

Recent research by HiPipo.com revealed that at least 74% of MTN Uganda Facebook page fans are local followers.

MTN Uganda has in the last months executed a number of successful and highly interactive campaigns on social media such as the Uganda Cranes Africa Cup of Nations Campaign, and Magic Fingers among others that have been some of the main reasons for fast growth in number of followers.

Recently, MTN Uganda set record as the first brand in Uganda to reach 100,000 followers on Facebook. In celebration, MTN organized a fans party at Cayenne on 30th April that was attended by at least 500 religious MTN followers on Facebook.

“We need to embrace social media, the possibilities it brings and the challenges it presents in order to remain profitable and, most importantly, relevant in an ever increasing social world. At MTN, this is exactly what we have done and it is bringing us a lot of results,” Ernst Fonternel, Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Uganda said.

Read full press release below.

MTN Uganda’s Facebook page has set a national record becoming the first social media page in Uganda to hit and cross the 100,000 fans mark.

The MTN Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/MTNug, currently has over 108,000 fans with the closest follower at approximately 50% compared to MTN.

According to Socialbakers.com, Uganda has 584,000 monthly active users on Facebook, making Uganda the 102nd ranked country in the world.

Socialbakers.com is a user friendly social media analytics platform which provides a solution that allows brands to measure, compare, and contrast the success of their social media campaigns with competitive intelligence.

“MTN Uganda has the highest number of Facebook followers at over 108,000 which is almost 20% of the total number of Facebook users in Uganda,” Socialbikers.com states.

Facebook’s penetration of the country’s population is less than 2% and approximately 14% into Internet users in Uganda. Approximately 50% of the Facebook users are between 18 to 24 years old. In Uganda, there are more males than females using Facebook at 67% against 33% respectively.

MTN also has the second biggest number of fans on twitter in Uganda, at 9,244 followers and has received 12,713 video views on its YouTube page.

According to Ernst Fonternel, Chief Marketing Officer,  using social media for business today is as important as learning how to use email for business 15 years ago. 

“We need to embrace social media, the possibilities it brings and the challenges it presents in order to remain profitable and, most importantly, relevant in an ever increasing social world. At MTN, this is exactly what we have done and it is bringing us a lot of results,” he said.

Ernst explains that Social media has given MTN another opportunity or avenue to reach out and actually connect with its audience.

“There are no corporate policies and bureaucracies. These are real one to one relationships. We look at Facebook like a shopping mall, where people are living a virtual social life. Being present in this mall is one of the smartest moves you can make for your business, Ernst explained.

He said that MTN has received a big boost in uptake because it provides great and relevant content, and also engages and interacts with its audience in a manner that has led to building a great community that people want to be involved with.

“Many businesses face questions time and time again when it comes to customer service. But we use our social media outlets to answer those questions. By doing it this way, we have been able to highlight to our community that we are available. We have also been able to get other people within the community to provide answers and support to new members who have perhaps experienced similar issues themselves.” said Ernst.

MTN’s vision is to lead the delivery of a bold, new Digital World to our customers. MTN Uganda is embracing this vision through constant enhancements to its Data Network to deliver World-class Internet so that we can make our customers’ lives a whole lot brighter.

As part of the celebrations, we organised a party with 500 of our fans, as one way of giving back to the community that has supported us and made us the number one brand in the social space in Uganda. The party took place at Cayenne on the 30th April 2013 with much delight from our Facebook fans.

“We therefore encourage everyone to join our community and enjoy the journey as we strive to deliver this bold, new Digital World to our customers.” Ernst concluded.

Follow us on www.facebook.com/MTNug, twitter.com/MTNugandacare, www.youtube.com/MTNug and www.mtn.co.ug.

-Ends-

About MTN Uganda

Launched in 1998, MTN Uganda is the leading telecommunications firm in country. Visit us at www.mtn.co.ug and www.facebook.com/mtnug.

About the MTN Group

Launched in 1994, the MTN Group is a leading emerging market operator, connecting subscribers in 22 countries in Africa and the Middle East. The MTN Group is listed on the JSE Securities Exchange in South Africa under the share code: “MTN.” As of 31 December 2012, MTN recorded almost 190 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 us at http://www.mtn.com and www.mtnfootball.com

This year marks 10 years since the Madhvani Foundation Scholarship scheme was re-launched in 2003 and the Foundation is celebrating this milestone by giving away scholarships worth Ushs650 million. The scheme which was briefly halted in 1972-2003 due to the political instability brought on by Idi Amin’s regime has educated over 1,300 Ugandan students in both science and technical University courses.

Speaking at the celebrations to mark a decade since the re-launch, the Minister of State for Higher Education, Hon John C. Muyingo commended the Foundation’s continued commitment to invest in the lives of young Ugandans who would otherwise have struggled to attain higher education. “On behalf of the Ministry of Education, I would like to thank the Madhvani Foundation for the tremendous support they have rendered to the education sector in Uganda and for the role they have played and are continuing to play in the transformation of Uganda’s socio-economic landscape. The passion they have for their community has been witnessed by us all from year to year through their sponsorship package which has steadily increased from Ush300 million in 2003 to Ushs650 million in 2013.”

“The Government of Uganda is willing to work with socially responsible companies such as the Madhvani Group which has made it their duty to give back to the Ugandan community through educating the youth most especially in science and technical courses which the President identified as detrimental for this country’s development.” He added

Announcing the launch of the scholarships,  Madhvani Foundation Board member, Dr Jack Luyombya said. “The Madhvani Foundation scholarship scheme was established as a way of honouring the vision of the Madhvani family Patriach Muljibhai Madhvani. At the heart of this vision is a desire to see a scheme that nurtures brilliant youth to fulfill their potential and reinvest their knowledge, skills and experience in programs that will positively benefit others. The scheme has a focus on giving back to Uganda and strives to inspire and nurture its beneficiaries to fulfill their dreams over and above the pursuit of an undergraduate or postgraduate degree.”

He continued, “It is with immense pleasure that we announce the opening of the Madhvani Foundation Scholarships for the academic year 2013/2014. Ushs650 million will this year go towards these scholarships as we mark 10 years since the fund was re-launched in 2003.”

In the past 10 years, the Foundation has established a nationwide footprint that has supported students from as far as Gulu University in Northern Uganda to Mountains of the Moon University in Western Uganda, it is a two time award winner (2011 and 2012) of the prestigious Patrice Lumumba award by the Uganda Universities Union of Guild Parliaments, formed an Alumni Association in 2009 for the purpose of networking among the alumni and has held annual entrepreneurial and career skills trainings for all the MF alumni.

In conclusion Dr. Luyombya said the Foundation continues to set the pace for philanthropy in the private sector and would like to invite all those that meet the requirements of this scholarship to apply. The process has always been and will remain transparent and the Scholarship committee will exercise its due diligence taking into consideration the need of the applicant.

Application forms for the Scholarships can be downloaded for free from the foundation website at www.madhvanifoundation.com or bought for Shs2,000 from The Muljibhai Madhvani Foundation plot no. 96-98, Business park, 5th street, Industrial area.

The closing date for submission of completed forms is the 31^st of May 2013.

Nairobi, 30th May 2013: Equity and Google today announced BebaPay, Kenya’s newest cashless innovation to make payments easy and more convenient for consumers and merchants. With BebaPay, bus passengers can sign up for a card and top up for free at Equity agents. Customers can also top up their cards via mobile money. BebaPay helps to overcome the problem of using cash and receiving the correct change when paying for public transport on the bus or “matatu”.  BebaPay is the first payments system of its kind for Kenya.

BebaPay makes it easy to pay for your bus fare and helps you budget and track your spending.  All you do is swipe your card on the card reader in order to pay. You also get free SMS receipts and the BebaPay website makes it easy to budget and manage your expenses on your mobile or computer.  You can get a BebaPay card for yourself, family members or co-workers.  Bus conductors can use BebaPay on a Near Field Communication (NFC)-enabled Android phone to accept payments from BebaPay smart cards.

Dr James Mwangi, CEO, Equity Bank, says that “The BebaPay card is a first for Kenya and will change the transport industry when it comes to payment. It is a convenient local payment solution that makes it easy to budget and manage one’s expenses on a mobile phone or computer”.

“Research showed that technology could help bus operators and passengers to ease the process of ticketing, so we’re pleased that Nairobi commuters can now enjoy the advantages of BebaPay”, says Joe Mucheru, Google Kenya Country Manager.  “Using NFC is part of Google’s efforts to improve transactions for both businesses and consumers. NFC makes it easier for people to pay for goods and services, and gives merchants extra ways to connect with their customers using technology and the Internet”.

Lucia Atieno, a daily commuter who has been using BebaPay card for over 6 months, said “I now spend less on bus fares, since I can plan in advance how much money I need for a particular period of time. The conductors never leave with my change, which used to happen a lot if I forgot to as ask for it.  Greatest of all, no more chunks of paper in my handbag in the name of receipts!”

Equity Bank and Google will be using affordable NFC-enabled Android devices that are available in Kenya and can be used for BebaPay.  Currently BebaPay is only available at key bus stops such as Kencom House. Equity Bank is working on rolling out BebaPay to more locations over time.

———

Kampala

Uganda’s top artist, Jose Chameleone made history as he launched his eagerly anticipated and record 14th album dubbed “Badilisha” in style with a massive gig that was thronged by thousands of his fans from across East Africa.

The Kyadondo Rugby club grounds were packed to capacity on Friday with more than 10,000 revelers present to witness the launch that had been hyped for months on end making it the biggest local concert yet in Uganda’s history.

Bell Lager, in line with supporting Uganda’s greats with the Bell Nation Campaign was fully behind this Ugandan great by sponsoring the concert. In equal measure, the concert was graced by East Africa‘s leading artists in a show of might and clout proving that indeed Chameleone is amongst East Africa’s heavy weights when it comes to music.

With Massamba from Rwanda, Professor Jay from Tanzania, Redsan from Kenya, Uganda’s ghetto President Bobi Wine from Uganda and a host of numerous local artists, there was nothing short of pomp, glamour, excitement and adrenalin as one after the other, the curtain raisers set the stage for the man of the night.

And when Chameleone stepped on stage, he thrilled fans with his exciting performance and energetic dance moves dressed in a unique white astronaut outfit that left fans mesmerized.

He urged fellow artists to promote East African Talent outside the region. He performed alongside fellow local artistes Judith Babirye, Radio and Weasel, Wendi by Bobi Wine, Redsan, Professor Jay and Masamba.He thanked his fans for all the support and love in growing his music career.

———

Kampala

Uganda jazz lovers finally got to experience a combination of traditional Yoruba music, Afro soul, highlife, funk, and chanted vocals, fused with percussion and vocal styles from the extremely talented and self-styled “Afro-Electric African Soulstress” Efya Awindor during the long awaited  TML 100 Club Jazz Concert held at the Serena Hotel on Friday.

With special appearances from Uganda’s very own Pragmo and the self-taught saxophonist Isaiah Katumwa, jazz lovers were extremely thrilled in a night that was filled with contemporary Afro Soul and Jazz in an exclusive setting.

And when Efya, who draws influences from American artistes like Jill Scott, Erykah Badu and Lauryn Hill, hit the stage, it was nothing short of a tenacious live performance with her band providing sweet blends of strong African rhythms with Western-style soul and hip hop to the delight of the hundreds that had turned up.

“I love soul, jazz and rhythm and blues but my style combines those genres effortlessly with our own unique music, like Afrobeat, to produce a beautiful sound” she explains.

And after the show, fans could not hide their excitement as they all thronged the VIP section in a bid to get a moment with this music legend on the rise.

The Tusker Malt Lager 100 Club which was introduced in September last year with performances by another emerging star, South Africa’s Zonke in November is a notion that brings together consumers of the premium brand who enjoy contemporary Afro Soul and Jazz music.

Uganda and TML 100 Club members will be eagerly waiting for the next African music legend to be rocking the country even as the weekly Jazz Nights continue in various locations around Kampala celebrating our own homegrown talent.

———

Kampala, Uganda – 28^th April, 2013

In way to empower their customers so that they can enjoy the best of mobile telephony, MTN Uganda recently launched Regional Internet Expos that are intended to train MTN customers on best phone usage including the use MTN Uganda’s latest super fast 4G LTE network internet.

The First Internet Expo was held from 25^th to 27^th April at Mbarara based Apig Motel.

Speaking at the Mbarara Expo, Shaibu Haruna, General Manager Sales and Distribution said “These Expos will give our customers in the regions an opportunity to experience our improved data services.”

Read full press release below for details

Press Release – MTN Uganda holds a 3 day Internet Expo in Mbarara as part of a drive to increase data usage in the regions.

MTN Uganda has launched Regional Internet Expos in a continued effort to give back to its customers and give them an opportunity to enjoy the best of what mobile telephony has to offer.

The first of a series of planned Regional Internet Expos to be held around the country, was hosted at Agip Motel in Mbarara from 25^th to 27^th April.

“Until now, most operators have concentrated their data initiatives largely in Kampala. After two years of successful investment in a state of the art data infrastructure, MTN believes this is the opportune time to make data access available to every customer, even in the most remote part of the country. The purpose of this expo is to bring data connectivity to all and demystify data. This expo will provide us a platform to introduce our customers and potential customers to the numerous uses of data and how the use of MTN data services can completely enrich our customers’ lives. These bold steps give testimony to MTN’s leadership and commitment to driving the data revolution in Uganda,” said Shaibu Haruna, General Manager Sales and Distribution.

The event in Mbarara gave MTN customers in the region a hands on experience of MTN’s new digital world in line with the company’s promise of making their customers’ lives much better. Customers who attended the Expo had the opportunity to experience the various data solutions on offer for both business and consumer segments. Customers also had the opportunity to interact with the latest devices and experienced the speed of MTN data services. The toast of visitors was the free wifi, where customers could bring along their devices to experience high speed internet.

Over the last two years, MTN has made major investments to its data infrastructure in Uganda, expanded the mobile distribution foot print, and greatly enhanced the mobile core, radio capacity and Network infrastructure.

“These Expos will give our customers in the regions an opportunity to experience our improved data services,” Shaibu added.

MTN Uganda has just launched its 4G LTE network, making it the first in Uganda and one of the first on the African continent. Whereas MTN’s LTE service will initially be available in greater Kampala, other towns will follow in the very near future. This will further support the drive to push data in the different regions of Uganda and will be supported by MTN’s robust distribution network that provides a dedicated team.

MTN’s vision is to lead the delivery of a bold, new Digital World to our customers. MTN Uganda is embracing this vision through constant enhancements to its Data Network to deliver World-class Internet and make its customers’ lives a whole lot brighter.

Since MTN was launched in Uganda in 1998, it has made major investments in the country. In 2012 alone, its CAPEX investments exceeded USD 80 million. This investment was mainly in expanding the network infrastructure to support the mobile subscriber growth as well as the rollout of new innovative products and digital solutions. MTN Uganda plans to invest an additional USD 70 million in 2013 towards further infrastructure development.

In 2012, MTN Uganda delivered strong results in a competitive environment with an increase in revenue, customer numbers and market share. Data and Mobile money particularly performed well. As a result, the groundwork was established to increase the contribution of data and mobile money to overall revenues.

“MTN Uganda’s road map for the next two years has positioned Data and Mobile Money as key drivers for MTN.  We are committed to lead the delivery of a bold new digital world to our customers and that is precisely why we embarked on this new drive to reach all our customers, where ever they are,” he concluded.

-Ends-

About MTN Uganda

Launched in 1998, MTN Uganda is the leading telecommunications firm in country. Visit us at www.mtn.co.ug and www.facebook.com/mtnug.

About the MTN Group

Launched in 1994, the MTN Group is a leading emerging market operator, connecting subscribers in 22 countries in Africa and the Middle East. The MTN Group is listed on the JSE Securities Exchange in South Africa under the share code: “MTN.” As of 31 December 2012, MTN recorded almost 190 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 us at www.mtn.com and www.mtnfootball.com

——–

Kampala

The former business manager and head of public access at telecommunications giant MTN Uganda has been charged with embezzlement and remanded to Luzira prison until the 29^th April.

Richard Mwami who is accused of stealing over Shs5bn was charged yesterday and remanded to Luzira prison by the Anti-corruption Chief Magistrate Irene Akankwasa.

“Given the large sums of money involved, bail is hereby denied,” Akankwasa said.  He was jointly charged with; Joan Nabugwawo a former cashier, Brian Okurut a former revenue assurance analyst, Angella Ayo an assistant revenue assurance analyst, Eriya Baryamwijuka also revenue assurance analyst, Edrisa Serunkuuma and Sauda Nakimbugwe.

The group was charged with three counts of embezzling over Shs5.5bn, corrupt neglect of duty and conspiracy to defraud MTN of the said sum. Mwami tried to apply for bail, but Akankwasa declined granting it.

The offences were committed between June and December 2011 at MTN offices in Kampala. His lawyers David Mpanga and Macdosman Kabega had presented three sureties including Sam Mutambo a sergion at Case clinic, Robert Kisubi and Joseph Bagabo the head of human resource at Barclays Bank Uganda Ltd and head of Cricket fraternity.

The prosecutor Paul Lakid asked court to impose stringent terms on him including depositing his passport. He had objected to the bail application on grounds that the sums of money involved were big and could easily be used to jeopardize police investigation and Akankwasa agreed with him.

The same court also committed nine people including a cleaner, accused of stealing mobile money, to the high court.

Serunkuuma Edrisa, Matovu Henry, Seguja Daniel Magombe Joseph, Nasejje Mary, Irene Kawuma, Kulaba Josua, Peter Ayebare and Jerome Okecho Jackcher were committed to high court after the prosecution found enough evidence against them. Mwami’s case was adjourned to April 29 for mention and criminal summons were issued against Nakimbugwe.