MTN Uganda, through the MTN Foundation, has trained and graduated 105 participants under its Digital Literacy Programme in the Western region, reinforcing efforts to equip Ugandans with practical skills for a rapidly digitising economy.
The graduation ceremony, held at Bushenyi District headquarters, marked the end of a 10-day intensive training that covered computer literacy, internet usage, digital communication tools and online safety.
The programme brought together a diverse group of participants, including youth, women and university students from institutions such as Kampala International University and Kyambogo University.
Top-performing trainees were awarded laptop computers and Mi-Fi devices, with MTN Uganda saying the initiative is designed to ensure that participants can continue learning and apply their skills in real-world settings beyond the classroom.
Andrew Tusubira, MTN Uganda’s Commercial Head for the Western Region, said the devices were intended to extend the impact of the training.
He noted that the tools are not merely rewards but enablers that allow participants to translate newly acquired skills into opportunities in employment, entrepreneurship and further education.
Bushenyi Resident District Commissioner Emmy Ngabirano welcomed the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention in preparing communities for the demands of the digital economy.
He said empowering participants with both skills and tools contributes to the long-term development of the district and the country.
Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Mary Masika said the training had opened new opportunities for participants, adding that access to laptops and Mi-Fi devices would allow them to continue learning and exploring digital platforms after the programme.
The Digital Literacy Programme is delivered through MTN’s Internet Bus, a mobile internet-enabled classroom that brings training directly to underserved communities.
The model is designed to overcome barriers such as cost, distance and limited infrastructure, positioning digital access as a key driver of inclusion.
Since its launch in 2022, the programme has reached more than 5,900 people across 44 communities in Uganda. MTN Uganda, in partnership with the Maendeleo Foundation, is expanding the initiative to reach at least 2,000 additional participants across 10 communities, with a particular focus on youth and women, by the end of April.
The programme comes at a time when Uganda is deepening the digitisation of both public and private services, including e-government platforms and mobile financial services.
As connectivity expands, digital literacy is increasingly becoming essential for meaningful participation in the economy.
Despite improvements in internet penetration over the past decade, gaps in digital skills continue to limit the ability of many Ugandans to fully benefit from online opportunities. Initiatives such as the Internet Bus are being positioned as critical in bridging this divide.
MTN Uganda executives say digital literacy remains central to the company’s broader ambition of promoting inclusive growth through investments in digital infrastructure, financial technology and human capital development. Tusubira said the company’s goal is not only to connect people, but to empower them to use connectivity in meaningful and productive ways.
Graduates of the programme are encouraged to continue building their skills through platforms such as the MTN Skills Academy and to share their knowledge within their communities as peer educators.
