MTN Uganda successfully held the inaugural MTN ICT Expo 2024, a landmark event set to revolutionize Uganda's digital
landscape.
The Expo, held on the 1st and 2nd of August at the prestigious Mestil Hotel, brought
together industry leaders, innovators, and key stakeholders to explore the transformative
power of digital technology under the theme ‘Accelerating Business Transformation with
Digital Technology.
Building on the resounding success of the inaugural MTN ICT Solutions Conference in 2023,
this year’s Expo, endorsed by the Ministry of ICT, aimed to further establish MTN Uganda as
a pioneer in technology solutions. The event focused on four pivotal service areas: Cloud
Solutions, Unified Communications, Internet of Things, and Digital Services.
 Cloud Solutions: Enabling businesses to store, manage, and process data through
cloud-based platforms, enhancing scalability and reducing IT costs. Examples
include MTN's cloud storage services and data backup solutions.
 Unified Communications: Integrating various communication tools such as voice,
video, messaging, and conferencing into a single cohesive system, improving
collaboration and productivity. MTN's solutions include VoIP services and virtual
meeting platforms.
 Internet of Things (IoT): Connecting devices and systems to the internet to collect
and exchange data, enabling smarter operations and automation. Examples include
MTN's smart agriculture solutions and connected home devices.

MTN Uganda | Media Release

 Digital Services: Offering a range of digital tools and platforms that enhance
business operations and customer experiences. These include MTN's mobile money
services, e-commerce platforms, and digital marketing solutions.
The Guest of honor, Hon. Aminah Zawedde, Permanent Secretary of the Uganda
Ministry of ICT and National Guidance. commended MTN Uganda for organizing the MTN
ICT Expo and thanked all participating partners. “The government recognizes the private
sector’s crucial role in the Digital Transformation Roadmap for Uganda, which aligns with our
2040 vision. We appreciate MTN’s leadership in driving digital transformation and supporting
youth skilling,” said Hon. Zawedde
In her remarks, Sylvia Mulinge, CEO of MTN Uganda, emphasized the company's
unwavering dedication to innovation, sustainability, and excellence in ICT. "MTN Uganda's
commitment to investing in countrywide network coverage, sustainable and green data
centers across the country, and digital skills development for the young workforce aligns with
our Ambition 2025 to lead digital solutions for Uganda and Africa at large," said Mulinge.
"We are proud to drive Uganda's digital transformation and support both the private and
public sectors with our cutting-edge technologies."
Ibrahim Senyonga, General Manager of MTN’s Enterprise Business Unit (EBU),
highlighted the vital role of digital technologies in driving efficiency, innovation, and growth in
enterprises. "Our partnerships with leading companies such as Bayobab, Chenosis, ,
Infobip, , Galooli, Chrif Group, Cisco and Microsoft have enabled us to offer a
comprehensive range of enterprise solutions that cater to the unique needs of businesses,"
said Senyonga. "The MTN ICT Expo is a testament to our commitment to enabling
enterprises to thrive in the digital age."
MTN Uganda has been a crucial driver of digital transformation in the country, with
substantial investments in infrastructure, innovation, and partnerships. The company has
greatly expanded mobile and fiber network coverage, enhancing internet accessibility across
Uganda. MTN's Mobile Money service has revolutionized financial inclusion, offering millions
of Ugandans access to digital payments and financial services. Additionally, MTN has made
significant strides in deploying 4G and 5G technologies, fostering a dynamic digital
ecosystem through collaborations with various sectors, and promoting digital literacy to
empower individuals and businesses.
MTN Uganda has also supported several significant national digital transformation projects,
including the First National Digital Census and Digital Agent Payments, facilitating efficient
data collection and financial transactions, and UCC RUCUSAF Projects, connecting 4,200
homesteads to digital platforms.
The MTN ICT Expo 2024 showcased the latest innovations and underscored the profound
impact of technology on businesses, the public sector, and the broader community.

Yolanda Cuba, the MTN Uganda Vice President for South and Eastern Africa has

commended government of Uganda for putting in place a stable and predictable policy

environment as she delivered opening remarks at the second Uganda – South Africa Trade

and Investment Summit in Munyonyo, Kampala.

She said government appreciates that the private sector must get return on investment.

“In most countries, they roll out the red carpet. Then, they roll out the red tape. But Uganda

appreciates that we must get return on investment. If there is an agreement, it gets honored

and that’s important for business,” Cuba said.

“She added: “Uganda was our third market to launch into when we were starting to roll out.

Today, there are 18 million Ugandans connected to our voice and data services and there are

11 million Ugandans using our Mobile Money services. That has happened because of the

great collaboration with the government of Uganda.”

Cuba explained that having the right partners in place and having the right regulatory

environment to be able to do business has pivotal to MTN success. She pointed out that due

to this clarity of policy, MTN received spectrum allocation and launched 5G – the first to do

so in Uganda, in record time.

The first session of the Uganda-South Africa Trade and Investment Summit was held in

February 2023 during the State visit of H.E President Yoweri K. Museveni to South Africa.

During that meeting their Excellences, President Cyril Rwamaphosa and President Yoweri K.

Museveni approved the convening and hosting of the second session of the Uganda-South

Africa Trade and Investment Summit in Kampala, which has just concluded in Munyonyo.

More than 50 companies were represented at the second Uganda- South Africa trade and

investment summit

The Summit was attended by Hon. Thoko Didiza, Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and

Rural Development, Hon. Mondli Gungubele, Minister of Communication and Digital

Technologies, and Hon. Nomalungelo Gina, Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and

Competition from the Republic of South Africa.

On the Ugandan side was Hon. John Mulimba, Minister of State for Regional Cooperation,

Hon. Bright Rwamirama, Minister of State for Animal Husbandry, Hon. Peter Lokeris,

Minister of State for Mineral Development, Morrisson Rwakakamba, Chairman Uganda

Investment Authority, Odrek Rwabwogo, Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Duties, and

Humphrey Nzeyi, Chairman of the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU).

MTN Uganda was the main sponsor alongside Absa Bank, Stanbic Bank, dfcu Bank, Sanlam,

Multichoice, Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU), Uganda Investment Authority (UIA)

and the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID).

The recent attack on a Kasese school has begun having a negative impact on the tourism industry in the Rwenzori region.

Sector players in Kasese district have decried cancellations of bookings by tourists.

In 2019, Kasese District Council passed a motion designating Kases as a tourist district, raising its profile as a tourist destination.

The district is home to fresh water lakes Edward and Georg, Kazinga Channel, Queen Elizabeth, and Mt Rwenzori national parks, and Katwe salt lake, among other unique features.

However, Beno Isuka, the chief Executive officer of the Rwenzori Mountaineering Services, a mountain hiking and tour guide company, says clients have cancelled four trips following the attack.

He says these cancellations mean loss of money from foreign exchange, park fees, transport and local hotel services.

John Hunwicks, of Rwenzori Trekking Services, says many of their clients who had booked and paid up have asked for a refund after the attack.

Early last week, the Uganda Tourism Board, issued a statement, encouraging tourists to treat the attack on Mpondwe Lhubiriha Secondary school as an isolated incident, saying Uganda remains safe under the protection of the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF).