By Yusuf Obbo
As the country celebrates Women’s Day, MTN Uganda has made a significant impact in Iganga, donating sewing machines and computers to empower local women with the tools and skills they need for self-sufficiency. The donation, which focuses on young street vendors and teenage mothers, comes through a partnership with Hands of Hope, an organization dedicated to skill development for the girl child.
The Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) for Iganga, Kato Dauda, praised the initiative, noting that empowering young girls in the region will not only reduce crime but also create more employment opportunities. “We thank MTN for supporting our girl child. This kind of assistance will significantly reduce unemployment through skilling. As a government, we have played our part by giving Hands of Hope the go-ahead to carry out its skills development activities. We believe that Madam Jane has done a tremendous job empowering many girls,” Kato said.
However, Kato also expressed his concern for the boy child, emphasizing the need to address the increasing number of young boys who have dropped out of school. “Many young boys have turned to cutting sugarcane or have become young fathers, failing to take on their responsibilities. We must also find ways to empower them to eliminate idleness in our villages,” he added.
Jane Namara, the Director of Hands of Hope, one of the program’s beneficiaries, expressed gratitude for MTN’s support. She noted that before the donation, the organization only had one computer and a few sewing machines. “The number of learners is large, and this support is truly a great achievement for us. We can’t take it for granted. We are deeply thankful to MTN Uganda for their help,” Namara said.
According to Allan Njagala, Head of Marketing for MTN’s Eastern Region, the initiative aims to foster economic independence, enhance livelihoods, and improve the overall quality of life for women in Eastern Uganda. “We understand that many youth face real challenges, especially those in the informal sector, where job opportunities are limited. With the right support—skills training, digital tools, and financial inclusion—we can help change this reality,” Njagala explained. He added that this initiative is part of MTN Uganda’s broader mission to create lasting community impact, as the company celebrated 25 years of service in the country in 2023 with the launch of the MTN Changemakers Initiative.
Through this collaboration, MTN Uganda is helping to pave the way for a brighter, more sustainable future for women and youth in the region.
