Airtel connects Kabale public library to free internet, donates sports equipment

Telecomunication giants, Airtel Uganda has connected Kabale public library with free 4G internet as part of their corporate social responsibility in bid to ease the downloading of reading materials from the internet.

Airtel Uganda launched an initiative to provide free unlimited WiFi to 19 public libraries across the country, Kabale Public library is the fourth public library to be connected free-of-charge to Airtel’s fast and reliable 4G internet. Uganda Community Libraries Association in Kawempe, Buganda Road, Jinja, Mbale and Lira public libraries have already benefitted from this initiative that aims at scaling up ICT in education and promoting the reading culture of Ugandans.

Commenting about the CSR activities in Kabale district, the M.D Airtel Uganda V.G Somasekhar noted that Airtel Uganda remains committed to fulfilling its brand promise to Ugandans.

“It is an honor to camp in Kabale district this week as we continue in our journey to provide excellent telecommunications services. With over 1,600 network masts across Uganda, we have learnt that such infrastructure is not beneficial if the public cannot rely on, afford it or utilize it. This is the reason why we are connecting the Kabale Public library to this internet – to ensure that we can scale up ICT in education and promote the reading culture of Ugandans. 4G connectivity will offer an improved experience in internet-based research and online book access in Uganda. We know that lack of easily accessible content affects the reading culture of Ugandans and we believe that a stable internet connection is a positive step towards fostering a reading culture and increasing knowledge,” he noted.

The sports equipment handover is a part of the ongoing Airtel Rising Stars tournament – Airtel’s grassroots youth football tournament that is currently in its 8^thseason. The kits that include footballs, goal posts, nets and jerseys were handed over to Kabale Secondary School to facilitate the development of the football sport.

V.G Somasekhar expressed optimism at the development of football talent in Western region.

“Every year we invest greatly in the development of football talent through our Airtel Rising Stars tournament and Western region has always played well with teams such as Kigezi Academy, Young Blood Academy, Lions Academy and many more representing the region. Now in its 8^thyear, we felt it prudent to hand over sports equipment to schools to enable the youth train in preparation for next year’s talent search,” he stated.

The Deputy Mayor of Kabale Kedress Mutabazi congratulated and applauded Airtel Uganda for  the continued role of being intentional when it comes to the development of Uganda’s infrastructure at all levels by not only ensuring the availability of reliable telecommunications services but also actively boosting the reading culture of the population. She encouraged the students to use the internet that has been connected in the libraries to improve their livelihoods, do research to better their academics and to use the soccer kits to better their soccer talent.

“Football is a sport that creates opportunities across the world and the internet is a place to make discoveries,” she noted.

In Uganda, Airtel uses a spectrum bank which includes 2300 Mhz (TD LTE), 1800 Mhz (FD LTE), and 900 Mhz (LTE 900) to offer 4G services to customers. It also has 1,632 sites and over 3,900 kilometers of fibre across Uganda, covering 95.9 percent of the population, making it possible for subscribers all over the country to get better internet services.