MTN Foundation has inaugurated a computer laboratory at Kisoro Demonstration Primary School, the district’s only institution offering inclusive education. The initiative comes against the backdrop of persistent disparities in access to technology, particularly for learners with disabilities.
The lab which is part of the Foundation’s Digital Access Project, is equipped with computers, assistive learning software, sound amplifiers, scanners, printers, and one year of internet access. By providing tailored digital tools, the lab aims to bridge the gap between mainstream students and those requiring specialized support.
Kisoro Demonstration Primary School educates approximately 650 pupils, including 149 with special needs, of whom 32 are deaf blind.
“This computer lab is more than just equipment; it represents opportunity,” said Andrew Tusubira, Regional Commercial Head – West at MTN Uganda, during the handover ceremony. “Access to technology should not be a privilege; it is essential for learning, innovation, and participation in today’s digital economy. Through this lab, we hope every learner, regardless of ability, can develop the skills needed to thrive and reach their potential.”
Echoing this view, Stephen Habiyaremye, Headteacher of Kisoro Demonstration Primary School, noted that the computer lab is a dream come true for the school’s learners. “For the first time, learners with special needs will access digital learning tools just like their peers. This investment will transform how we teach and learn,” he remarked.
Edward Otim, the regional Director for East Africa at Sense International, together with Kisoro district leaders, including Emmanuel Mugyemanyi; Municipal Education Officer, Moses Nteziyaremye; Deputy Town clerk, and Mayor Richard Ndyana, thanked MTN Foundation for the new facility and support.
The Kisoro laboratory is one of 11 ICT centres being established nationwide with an investment of UGX1 billion. Five of these are located in schools offering inclusive education, including Mvara Secondary School in Arua, St. Francis School for the Blind in Soroti City, and Iganga Secondary School. MTN Foundation’s stated objective is to equip all learners with digital skills, ensuring no one is left behind in an increasingly connected world.
The initiative supports MTN’s Ambition 2025 strategy, which positions digital solutions as drivers of economic and social progress. It aligns with Uganda’s Vision 2040 and Digital Transformation Roadmap, which recognize the central role of ICT in education and national development.
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MTN Foundation also acknowledged the contribution of district authorities, school management, and partners such as Sense International Uganda in promoting inclusive education. The laboratory, they note, is not merely a set of devices but a platform to empower students to learn, innovate, and participate fully in the digital economy.
To date, MTN Uganda has established over 60 ICT labs countrywide, including nine in technical and vocational institutions.
