MTN hands over UGX100 million Kiteezi relief
(L-R) Sara Bateta Okwi, CFO of MTN MoMo, Sylvia Mulinge, CEO of MTN Uganda, Robert Kwesiga, Secretary General of the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS), and Pamela Komujuni, Senior Disaster Management Officer at the OPM, display a dummy representing the essential household items donated to the victims of the Kiteezi tragedy.
MTN Uganda and MTN MoMo Uganda Ltd, through the MTN Uganda Foundation, have made a donation of relief items valued at UGX100 million to support 200 families affected by the Kiteezi garbage landfill landslide in Kasangati Town Council, Wakiso District.
âOur hope is that these provisions would offer some comfort and support to the affected families during this challenging time,â said MTN Uganda CEO Sylvia Mulinge at the handover ceremony at MTN headquarters in Kampala yesterday.
âWe believe that everyone deserves the benefits of a modern life, including access to essential resources and a good livelihood.â
- The company is partnering with the Uganda Red Cross Society and Office of the Prime Minister to distribute relief kits equipped with essential household items that include blankets, jerrycans, buckets, mosquito nets, mats, tarpaulins, nylon rope, plates, cups, serving ladles, forks, spoons, knives, washing soap, saucepans, and water purification tablets.
Latest updates from the Uganda Red Cross Society indicate that more than 30 people have lost their lives, dozens hopitalised with others still missing and approximately 600-700 individuals affected following the August 10 disaster.
Robert Kwesiga, the Secretary General of Uganda Red Cross Society, commended MTN for always coming through to support the disaster-stricken families whenever an emergency occurs.
- âWe have always seen MTN come through to support, and in fact, they are always the first to respond whenever we have disasters in the country. I have seen them in Kisoro, Bududa, Mbale, Bunambutye, Kasese, Northern Uganda, Ntoroko, Kiryandongo, and they have responded to a number of emergencies. The most recent COVID-19 that ravaged the country and everywhere in the world, MTN didnât leave Ugandans to suffer alone. We have partnered in so many ways and I greatly appreciate you,â he said.
Pamela Komujuni, Senior Disaster Management Officer in the Office of the Prime Minister said; âThrough the MTN Foundation, we have seen many lives touched.
The Government of Uganda through the Office of the Prime Minister works closely with the Uganda Red Cross to respond to disasters of this nature, like the case in Kiteezi.
âSeeing corporate entities such as MTN come through for the victims is a sign that private sector is supportive of humanitarian causes. We thank you and pray that others can emulate your example, so that Ugandans can come through to support fellow Ugandans who are distressed by the incident in Kiteezi. The Government has done something, but we can do more with your support,â she added.
Mulinge reaffirmed MTN Ugandaâs commitment to continue standing by the Ugandan people, working alongside its partners to deliver relief aid, foster recovery, and build resilience.
- Apart from MTN, several other companies and individual well-wishers have come out to offer support to the hundreds of the desperate victims who are currently homeless.