WAKISO, Uganda: The Nnabagereka Development Foundation (NDF) has successfully concluded the Ekisaakaate Kya Nnabagereka Gatonnya 2026 at Hormisdallen School, Gayaza Campus, with MTN Mobile Money (U) Limited (MTN MoMo) as a key partner supporting this year’s programme.
Held under the theme ‘Roots of Resilience: Embracing Obuntubulamu for Mental Wellness’, this year’s Ekisaakaate brought together children and youth from across the country for a transformative camp centred on values, emotional wellbeing, culture, and leadership.
The programme continues to serve as a flagship platform through which the Buganda Kingdom, via the Nnabagereka Development Foundation, nurtures holistic and value-driven future leaders.
As a committed partner to the Buganda Kingdom and the Nnabagereka Development Foundation, MTN MoMo contributed a total of UGX 80 million towards the 2026 edition of Ekisaakaate. This included UGX 15 million announced at the programme’s launch in August, and an additional UGX 65 million dedicated to supporting activities during the camp.
Beyond financial support, MTN MoMo provided internet connectivity at the host school, enabling seamless digital engagement throughout the programme. The MTN Internet Bus was also deployed to facilitate coding workshops and digital skilling sessions, ensuring the basaakate were exposed to practical technology skills relevant to today’s digital economy.
Through partnerships with Burn Radio and Pink Code, MTN MoMo supported structured coding training and digital literacy sessions designed to spark interest in technology-driven careers. These sessions complemented mentorship engagements led by the MTN Women@Work team, which focused on nurturing confidence, emotional resilience, and mental wellness among both girls and boys.
The programme further addressed critical issues affecting young people today, including self-worth, emotional balance, bullying, online safety, and responsible digital citizenship. By integrating discussions on mental wellness with practical life skills, Ekisaakaate 2026 reinforced the importance of Obuntubulamu as a foundation for personal growth and community wellbeing.
MTN MoMo also provided learning devices to support digital skilling, including 20 laptops and 13 mobile phones, alongside branded educational materials and giveaways such as books, mathematical sets, rulers, bottles, and aprons, all aimed at enhancing the learning experience for participants.
Commenting on the partnership, Andrew Adrian Mukiibi, Manager at the Nnabagereka Development Foundation, said:
“MTN MoMo has greatly enhanced our ability to deliver on this year’s Ekisaakaate promise of integrating culture with technology. Participants have had a hands-on experience in envisioning their culture in the digital space.”
Stephen Mutana, MTN MoMo’s Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to the Kingdom and the programme, noting that MTN MoMo remains guided by its belief in empowering communities to realise their full potential.
“The Ekisaakaate Kya Nnabagereka is a powerful platform for shaping resilient, confident, and value-driven young people. As MTN MoMo, we are honoured to partner with the Nnabagereka Development Foundation and the Buganda Kingdom in supporting conversations around mental wellness, culture, and digital empowerment. This partnership reflects our belief in The Power to Be More, and we remain committed to walking this journey with the Kingdom for years to come,” Mutana said.
At the closing ceremony, the Katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga, emphasised the importance of Obuntubulamu as the foundation of mental and emotional strength. He highlighted that these values—respect, kindness, discipline, and care—help children develop resilience from within.
The successful conclusion of Ekisaakaate Kya Nnabagereka Gatonnya 2026 once again underscores the impact of strong partnerships between cultural institutions and the private sector in nurturing Uganda’s next generation.
