MTN Uganda, through its philanthropic arm MTN Foundation, has donated a fully equipped computer laboratory to the Code Compass Foundation in Mbuya, Nakawa Division, in a bid to improve digital access for girls and young learners.
The handover of the lab coincided with International Girls in ICT Day and forms part of MTN’s wider Digital Access Program. The donation, valued at UGX 65 million, includes 10 computers, an inverter backup system, and one year of unlimited internet access.
Organisers say the initiative is designed to give more girls access to coding, digital literacy, and entrepreneurial skills—areas where many young people, particularly in underserved communities, still face barriers.
Founded in 2023 by Maria Angela Aboyo, the Code Compass Foundation aims to bridge the digital divide by equipping learners with relevant technological skills. Aboyo, who previously worked with UN Women’s African Girls Can Code initiative, said the programme was born out of a realisation that too many children, especially girls, lacked access to basic coding education.
“Coding is the language of the future,” said Aboyo. “If we don’t embrace it now, we risk being left behind.”
The foundation began with just five laptops and 171 girls during a school holiday term. Since then, it has expanded its reach through community outreach and training in areas such as multimedia production, digital marketing, and small business development. Some students, Aboyo says, have already used the skills learned to sell products online—reaching as far as international markets.
The new lab is one of six across the country benefiting from MTN Uganda’s UGX 390 million Digital Access Project. Other centres include schools and foundations in Mbarara, Nyenga, Kazo, Sheema, and Nyanama.
Speaking at the launch, MTN Uganda CEO Sylvia Wairimu Mulinge said that improving digital literacy is critical to preparing Uganda’s youth for a rapidly evolving global economy.
“Uganda has one of the youngest populations in the world. It is vital that we equip them with the skills and tools needed to thrive,” she said.
MTN Foundation senior manager Bryan Mbasa added that the computer lab serves as a launchpad for digital careers.
“When we support digital education, we’re investing in the country’s future. Digital literacy is not a luxury—it’s a necessity,” he said.
In addition to hardware and training, the Code Compass learners will also have access to the MTN Skills Academy—an online platform offering courses in technology, business, and life skills. The programme also includes mental health support through a partnership with Strong Minds, reflecting what organisers say is a holistic approach to youth development.
The move aligns with MTN Uganda’s Ambition 2025 Strategy and supports broader development goals, including Uganda’s Vision 2040 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The donation comes just a week after the MTN Foundation commissioned a similar facility at Town View PEAS High School in Bugiri District, part of a UGX 285 million project aimed at broadening digital access across the country.
MTN Uganda has urged government bodies, civil society, and private sector players to work together to expand digital inclusion and create new opportunities for the next generation.
