Women in Migeera Town Council, Nakasongola district, are celebrating a major boost to their economic empowerment following a Shs. 20 million donation from MTN Uganda.
The contribution, made under MTN’s Change Makers initiative, was handed over to the Adventist Women Center of Influence, a vocational training facility established by the Seventh-Day Adventist Church’s North Buganda Field.
The center equips vulnerable women with practical skills in tailoring and hairdressing.
The donation includes sewing machines and training materials, significantly expanding the center’s capacity and enabling more women to enroll.
For many beneficiaries, the center provides a second chance. In just one year, more than 160 women have enrolled for training, but limited equipment had been a major barrier, leaving some unable to access the programs.
“We had only 10 sewing machines, and the number of women interested kept growing. Some lost hope because they had to wait too long,” said Rebecca Birungi, one of the learners at the facility.
The center’s principal, Margret Katongole, described the donation as timely and transformative, noting that it will increase both enrollment and the quality of training offered.
Beyond economic benefits, the initiative is restoring dignity and hope among participants, many of whom are determined to break cycles of poverty and build stable livelihoods.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Allen Kagina, Chairperson of the MTN Foundation Board of Trustees, emphasized the importance of skills development in transforming communities.
“Out of more than 1,800 applicants, only 25 were selected. This shows how special this opportunity is. We believe in the power of skills to transform lives, and we are confident that the women of Migeera will use this support to build sustainable futures,” she said.
Church leaders also welcomed the support. Bishop George Wilson Ssekaggo of the North Buganda Field commended MTN Uganda for investing in grassroots development and encouraged the women to remain committed to their personal growth.
Located on 40 acres of land, the center plans further expansion, including a hospital, a secondary school, and other community services.
With the new sewing machines now operational, the center is not only enhancing technical skills but also fostering independence and renewed hope among women, signaling a deeper transformation in the Migeera community.
