MTN Uganda and its partners have strengthened maternal and newborn healthcare at Kiyunga Health Centre IV in Luuka District, eastern Uganda, through improvements in infrastructure, digital medical records and community health services.
The intervention was delivered under the company’s 21 Days of Y’ello Care campaign, which this year focused on maternal and newborn health under the theme “Expand Equitable Health for Every Community.”
At Kiyunga, MTN Uganda donated medical equipment and supplies, beds, smartphones, bicycles and assorted ICT equipment to strengthen the facility’s ability to provide reliable healthcare services. Beyond supporting healthcare delivery, they also planted trees alongside healthcare workers and community members, recognising that healthy communities depend not only on quality healthcare, but also on a healthy and sustainable environment.
Medical records officers at the facility were trained to use the Electronic Medical Records Information System (EMRIS), while community members received digital literacy training through the Maendeleo Foundation.
The company also conducted health camps offering screening, patient registration and health education. MTN Uganda’s Mobile Money business engaged community members on financial solutions, including MoMo Cover.
MTN Uganda Chief Executive Officer, Sylvia Mulinge, said the interventions were intended to strengthen health facilities’ ability to provide better care while improving communities’ access to information and essential services.
“MTN Uganda believes that everyone deserves the benefits of a modern connected world,” Mulinge said. “In healthcare, we believe connectivity must translate into something meaningful; helping a mother access information, enabling a healthcare worker to have the right tools and strengthening the facilities that communities rely on.”
R. Christopher Wandira, the Luuka District Health Officer, thanked MTN Uganda for the support, saying the improvements would strengthen Kiyunga’s capacity to serve mothers, newborns and families.
“We appreciate MTN Uganda for supporting Kiyunga Health Centre IV,” he said. “The improvements to solar power and water infrastructure will strengthen the facility’s operations, while the electronic medical records system will improve patient information management. Together, these interventions will support our health workers and contribute to better maternal and newborn health services in Luuka.”
Kiyunga HC IV serves over 42,000 people from Luuka and the neighbouring districts of Iganga, Kaliro, Kamuli and Jinja.
MTN Uganda executive said the interventions and infrastructure support delivered across four health facilities under the 2026 campaign are valued at about UGX600 million.
The other beneficiary facilities are Kibiito Health Centre IV in Bunyangabu District in western Uganda, Maddu Health Centre IV in Gomba District in central Uganda and Karita Health Centre IV in Amudat District in northeastern Uganda.
The MTN Y’ello Care campaign has been running for more 19 years, giving MTN employees an annual platform to volunteer their time and skills in support of communities across the company’s markets.
In Uganda, the programme forms part of MTN’s broader Ambition 2030 strategy and has supported initiatives in healthcare, education, digital inclusion and community development.
The Luuka intervention builds on more than 10 years of MTN Uganda’s support for maternal and newborn healthcare.
The company has invested more than UGX7.5 billion in programmes supporting 36 health facilities across 49 districts and reaching more than one million beneficiaries.
Uganda’s maternal mortality ratio has fallen to 189 deaths per 100,000 live births from 336 a decade ago, but remains above the Sustainable Development Goal target of fewer than 70 deaths per 100,000 live births, according to the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization. Neonatal mortality stands at 22 deaths per 1,000 live births, compared with the SDG target of 12.
MTN Uganda said the latest intervention was designed not only to address immediate needs but also to leave Kiyunga with stronger systems and infrastructure that can continue benefiting patients beyond the campaign.
The campaign was supported by the Ministry of Health, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), ATC Uganda, Mengo Hospital, Zuri Health and Maendeleo Foundation among others..
The 2026 Y’ello Care campaign runs from Aug. 1 to Aug. 21 after being postponed from June following an Ebola outbreak in Uganda and the wider region.
For more information about 21 Days of Y’ello Care and MTN Uganda’s social development initiatives, visit MTN Uganda or follow MTN Uganda on social media.
