MTN Uganda is a subsidiary of MTN Group; a multinational telecommunications group connecting approximately 232 million people in 22 countries across Africa and the Middle East. With over 10.4 million subscribers making them the largest telecom company in Uganda.
In 2009, MTN Uganda introduced NOW found to be the most popular banking system dubbed MTN Mobile Money. According to sources, as of March 2015, the company controlled 80% of the mobile money market in the country, till now, we have seen that now most people prefer banking their money on phone. We started with Mobile Money because, I’ve to say, it’s one of the outstanding achievements from MTN Uganda, the fact being that they’re the first telecom to introduce the system, with other telecom companies too adopting the system.
However, in our review this year, we see what MTN Uganda has really been upto; from introducing MoKash to MyPakaPaka to Reductions in their Mobile Money in the festive season, the MTN Kampala marathon, MTN Uganda at 18, and more other exciting developments they’ve had in 2016.
MTN Uganda Launches MoKash – Mobile Money Savings and Loans
On August 9th, 2016, MTN Uganda in partnership with Commercial Bank of Africa, Uganda introduced a new product that allows customers to save money and access microloan products, using their cell phone. Dubbed MoKash, the product is readily available on personal accounts and on accounts for small and medium-sized enterprises.
In less than three months after it’s launch, MTN Uganda and CBA Uganda announced how the product had signed up more than 1,000,000 customers, marking a remarkable milestone in the growth projections of the product.
MTN Uganda Bid Farewell to Brian Gouldie
As we ended the month June, Brian Gouldie who holds an extensive experience in the telecom industry on July 1st, 2016 had his last stay at MTN Uganda as their Chief Executive Officer after he had served a two-year service at the telecom since July, 2014.
During his farewell, Brian thanked the leadership team he worked with and the entire MTN team and also commented how Uganda has got great opportunities.
I pray tribute to the leadership team and the entire MTN team. Thank you. – @briang_jozi #CEOFarewell pic.twitter.com/wTOMb0coRF
— MTN Uganda (@mtnug) June 30, 2016
South Africa High Commissioner H. E. Solly Mollo who graced Brian’s Farewell commended him for his exemplary leadership during his time with MTN Uganda, while Dr. Charles Mbiire in his remarks said; “We operate as a family and we thank Brian and his beautiful wife for a great job done.”
Wim Vanhelleputte replaced Brian as effective of July 1st, 2016, as the new MTN Uganda’s Chief Executive Officer.
MTN Launches it’s 13th Annual Kampala Marathon
I had to make sure at least we have this in the top 5 of our list. I have to say, MTN Kampala Marathon is one of the biggest sporting events in year, and we surely couldn’t miss talking about it.
On November 1st, 2016, MTN announced it’s 13th annual Kampala Marathon – following the theme “Run for Kampala”, with a mission to rally runners to raise funds for the implementation of improved sanitation facilities for pupils through the construction of environmentally friendly smart bio-toilet facilities in a number of selected public primary schools in the outskirts Kampala.
#MTNMarathon – We are running for a better Uganda come November 20th. We are also running to improve sanitation… https://t.co/GjrKWP5zUR
— MTN Uganda (@mtnug) November 3, 2016
On 20th November the day of the event, all roads led to Kololo Airstrip where the event was scheduled to take place attracting over 20,000 runners, pulled it as usual.
MTN Mobile Money customers can now send money to Kenya and Rwanda
After launching their international mobile money transfer services in 2015 only supporting inbound transfers where MTN Mobile Money customers could only receive money from Kenya and Rwanda, this time around the reverse was made true. In their another exciting development in the mobile money innovations, MTN Uganda on November 29th, 2016 announced the launch of outbound mobile money transfer services to Rwanda and Kenya.
MTN launches customized offers on voice bundles with MyPakaPaka
MTN wanted to make it’s subscribes happy. With the festive season that was just around the corner, the telecom company earlier this month on December 5th, 2016 launched their innovative and competitive daily voice bundles dubbed MyPakaPaka; that has been custom designed to fit the budgets and communication needs of MTN customers at an individual level.
MTN uses each customer’s usage behavior and average spend to create three 24-hour bundles, completely unique to each customer. The MyPakaPaka bundles cost from as low as 250 UGX up to 3,000 UGX for duration varying from 5 minutes to as many as 100 minutes and can be used to make calls to any other customer on the MTN network.
MTN Reduces Mobile Money Sending Rates as Part of it’s Festive Season Promotion
We always complain about things being expensive that at times we can’t afford to purchase them/ use the service. Well! early last month on November 7th, 2016 during a press conference that was held at the MTN Service Centre Towers at Forest Mall, Lugogo, announced they had reduced their mobile money sending charges for tiered amounts between 500 UGX and 45,000 UGX.
Today, we are announcing reduced #MobileMoney sending charges for tiered amounts between 500 and 45,000/-.
— MTN Uganda (@mtnug) November 7, 2016
“We are excited to deliver the first festive season offer, making sending even more affordable for customers on MTN Mobile Money,” MTN’s General Manager for Financial Services; Phrase Lubega said during the press conference.
However, the offer isn’t for a life time, it’s expected to go at least until end of the year.
MTN Uganda celebrates it’s 18th birthday
And why in the world, would we forget to mention that MTN took another step in aging. October 21st, 2016, the telecom company turned 18th year of existence since it’s official launch on October 21st, 1998 in Uganda.
Tomorrow MTN turns 18 and we have a gift for you. Keep your MTN number active so that you don’t miss out! #MTNat18 pic.twitter.com/5XxX5ONJec
— MTN Uganda (@mtnug) October 20, 2016
In its 18 years of existence, the company under it’s slogan “Everywhere you go” has done more than a lot to the now-and-then population of Uganda, from it’s mobile technologies 2G, 3G, and 4G-LTE, to Fixed Lines, to Fiber solutions, to creating employment opportunities to our people of Uganda.
We had a lot about MTN Uganda this year, you can read all our articles at this link.
Happy Holidays!!
