Airtel Uganda recommits itself to Rwenzori region

Telecom company, Airtel Uganda has recommitted itself in the Rwenzori region through corporate social responsibility activities but also boosted their connectivity in the area.

In an event held on Tuesday, the company commissioned three masts, donated two mobile ultrasound scans but also launched an Airtel Money branch in the district.

“To boost network connectivity in the region, we have commissioned three mast sites in  Kikorongo, Kambeho and Kyanjuki. The site at Kanjuki is particularly intended to support tourism in the region,” said Brenden Kachenje the Sales and Distribution Director for Growth Markets at Airtel Uganda.

“At Airtel, we are cognizant of development drivers, telecommunications featuring strongly in the top five. Reliable and affordable telecommunication services is a proven economic and social growth driver through digitization, financial inclusion and communication in line with the government agenda 2040.”

Kasese District was recently ravaged by seasonal floods that compromised health access especially for expectant mothers thus increasing the maternal death risk.

The telecom company said they also wanted to give back to the region in a bid to restore them to the original status before the floods.

“We have deployed two ultrasound scans at Rukoki health center IV and Nyamirame Health Center IV, donated Mama Kits and masks under the Airtel Safe Motherhood program.”

In 2018 Airtel  launched a Safe Motherhood program that encompasses training of midwives and birth attendants and utilizes the element of the mobile ultrasound scan with the aim of reducing pregnancy related deaths in Uganda..

Welcoming Airtel’s support to the area, Joshua  Masereka , the Kasese district deputy RDC, applauded the telecom company for coming to their help.

“Many communities in Uganda deserve opportunities to improve their livelihoods every way possible. As the government of Uganda continues with its efforts to provide these opportunities, we welcome the intervention of private companies as well. Allow me to congratulate Airtel for a continued role in the intentional development of Uganda by ensuring the availability of reliable and affordable telecommunications services across the country,” he said.

“We also appreciate the Safe Motherhood intervention that will go a long way in supporting expectant mothers in hard to reach areas. With such advancements in the Health, among other sectors, we are able to appreciate the development of equipment’s like the Mobile Ultrasound scan, hence individuals don’t have to move long distances to access improved medical services, but can access them at the nearest health center as midwives are able to move nearer to the expectant mothers.”