Arua District– MTN Uganda, through the MTN Foundation, has commissioned a state-of-the-art computer laboratory at Mvara Secondary School in Arua City, further cementing its UGX 1 billion investment in expanding digital access to underserved and inclusive learning institutions across the country.
The new ICT facility is one of 11 labs being rolled out under the MTN Foundation Digital Access Project, five of which are tailored to inclusive schools that support learners with disabilities.
“This lab is not just about computers; it is about empowering every learner, regardless of ability, to participate meaningfully in the digital economy,” said Philip Odoi, MTN’s Commercial Head for Northern Uganda.
“At MTN, we believe that everyone deserves the benefits of a modern connected life. Through this initiative, we’re deliberately working to bridge the digital divide and ensure that no learner is left behind.”
Equipped with assistive software for visually impaired learners, sound amplifiers for those with hearing difficulties, a printer, CCTV Cameras, scanner, locker, 10 Bluetooth speakers, an anti-virus, and one year of internet connectivity, the new lab with 10 computers is designed as an inclusive digital learning environment. It mirrors similar installations made in other inclusive schools such as St. Francis Primary School for the Blind in Soroti and Iganga Secondary School, where learners now use screen reader technology to access e-learning content.
The project aligns with national development frameworks, including Uganda Vision 2040, the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV), and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (particularly SDG 4 on Quality Education and SDG 10 on Reduced Inequality).
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Eliakim Matua Onyiga, the Head Teacher of Mvara SS, commended MTN’s intervention as both timely and transformative.
“This initiative marks a new chapter for Mvara Secondary School—a mother institution in the region, a nurturing home to over 100 learners with special needs, and now, a rising hub for digital inclusion. We are deeply grateful to MTN Uganda and its partners for empowering every learner, regardless of ability,” he said.
The launch was officiated by Jackson Dratibi, a member of the school’s board, who served as the Chief Guest, on behalf of Resident City Commissioner for Arua City.
He commended MTN Uganda’s deliberate focus on inclusive education, describing it as “a strategic investment in Uganda’s human capital and a meaningful step toward equitable development.”
The MTN’s new Digital Access Project, launched in 2023, continues to gain traction as a cornerstone of MTN Uganda’s Ambition 2025 strategy, which aims to drive digital and financial inclusion across the country.
So far, the initiative has benefited thousands of learners in underserved regions, including at St. Joseph’s Seminary Nyenga in Buikwe District, Revival Girls in Mbarara, and St. John’s Secondary School in Sheema among others, both of which now report improved ICT engagement among the students.
“The success of this project is a result of deep partnerships,” Odoi added. “We thank stakeholders like Sense International, government ministries, and district authorities who have walked this journey with us. Together, we’re building an inclusive, connected, and empowered Uganda.”
The ICT lab at Mvara SS is expected to support more than 1,500 students annually, with dedicated schedules for learners with special needs and plans to train teachers in using assistive digital tools.
MTN Uganda has so far established 63 ICT labs across the country, including nine in technical and vocational institutions, and plans to scale the Digital Access Project to reach more schools in underserved communities.
