MTN has today fulfilled the USD$280,000 (approx. 1 billion UGX) pledge made at the Solidarity Summit on Refugees in June 2017 to support the Uganda government efforts to deal with the influx of refugees.
Rob Shuter, the President and CEO of the MTN Group, while meeting Rt. Hon. Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, the Prime Minister reiterated MTN’s commitment to ensuring that the USD$280,000 (approx. 1 billion UGX) creates meaningful impact and reduce the government burden to support in excess of 1 million refugees.
“MTN is committed to supporting the communities in which we operate in across our operations spread out in twenty-four countries. We are therefore very happy to be a part of this worthy cause” Shuter said after paying a courtesy call to the Prime Minister.
The summit was hosted by Uganda with the support of UN. The Ugx1bn will provide support over a two year period.
MTN Uganda has been holding meetings with the Office of the Prime Minister and UNHCR project teams in order to properly structure the implementation of the donation. This is in advanced stages and a timeline has been set for a schedule of activities that will be announced some.
“MTN Uganda since its entry in the Ugandan market 20 years ago has continued to create impact through the MTN Foundation. It has supported the health and education sectors in the country. It will continue to do since it has become part of the social fabric of Ugandan society” added Mr. Wim Vanhelleputte (MTN Uganda CEO).
The MTN Foundation is the CSR arm of MTN Uganda. On his part, the Prime Minister noted that any help to support government efforts to deal with the refugee influx will be welcomed. “We appreciate MTN Uganda’s support towards the refugee crisis and we thank them for being worthy partners towards this cause” he said.
Shuter is in Uganda with another 300 delegates attending the MTN Global Leadership Gathering. This is the highest level meeting of all top executives in the MTN Group from 22 countries.
