The MTN Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of MTN Uganda, has celebrated the graduation of 103 young people from the second cohort of its MTN ACE Initiative, a programme designed to equip Ugandan youth with digital, business, and entrepreneurial skills.
Out of the 154 participants admitted, 103 successfully completed the training, with 44 pursuing the ACE Career pathway, which combines classroom learning with practical internships. Thirteen graduates have already secured employment with MTN Uganda.
Since its inception in 2022, the initiative has produced 188 graduates, with 21 joining MTN Uganda across various departments.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony held at MTN Headquarters in Kampala, Enid Edroma, MTN Uganda’s General Manager for Corporate Services, highlighted the importance of the programme in tackling youth unemployment while driving digital transformation.
“At MTN Uganda, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of a modern, connected life. That includes access to education, skills, and meaningful opportunities,” said Edroma. “We are encouraged to see the ACE programme growing in impact, and we trust these graduates will play a vital role in Uganda’s digital and economic transformation.”
Michael Sekadde, General Manager of Human Resources, echoed this, noting that the programme is not only about training but also about empowering young people to actively contribute to national development.
Uganda faces a youth unemployment challenge, with 75% of its population under 30 years of age and about 13% unemployed, according to the World Bank and the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development.
With an investment of UGX 2.17 billion, the MTN ACE Initiative aligns with MTN Uganda’s Ambition 2025 strategy, the country’s National Development Plan III, and the Digital Transformation Roadmap. It also supports global Sustainable Development Goals on education, gender equality, decent work, and reducing inequalities.
The initiative is implemented in partnership with the Ministry of ICT & National Guidance, Makerere University Business School’s Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Incubation Centre, Centenary Technology Services, Engage Consult, the National ICT Innovation Hub, and MTN MoMo Uganda.
In addition to ACE, MTN Uganda is advancing youth empowerment through its Skills Academy and the rollout of ICT laboratories across the country.
