Students in eastern Uganda are set to benefit from improved access to digital education, following the launch of a fully equipped computer laboratory at Town View PEAS High School in Bugiri District.
The facility, handed over on Thursday by MTN Uganda’s philanthropic arm, MTN Foundation, includes 30 modern computers, security cameras, a reliable power backup system, and a year of free internet access.
The move is part of the company’s Digital Access Project, which aims to narrow the country’s digital divide by supporting schools in under-served areas. In total, the project will provide paid internet for a year to 30 Promoting Equality in African Schools (PEAS) institutions across Uganda.
MTN Uganda says the UGX 285 million investment is expected to benefit more than 16,000 students and extend digital resources to their surrounding communities.
“All learners—no matter where they’re from—should have access to the digital tools that shape the world today,” said Allan Njagala, MTN Uganda’s Head of Commercial for the Eastern Region.
“At MTN, we believe that ICT in education is key to unlocking future opportunities. This isn’t just about putting computers in classrooms—it’s about equipping students with the skills and confidence to succeed in a digital world.”
The handover was attended by students, teachers, and local leaders, including Hon. Agnes Taaka Wejuli, the Woman MP for Bugiri District, who described the donation as “a timely and transformative step” for digital education in the area.
Head of Studies at the school, Sophie Namumbali, said the lab had already begun to change the atmosphere on campus.
“Our school has become a beacon of hope,” she said. “This lab allows students in a rural setting to compete on equal footing with their peers in urban areas.”
For many students, it was their first time using a computer.
“We’re not just learning how to use technology,” said Abdul Ndifuna, a student at the school. “We’re expanding our minds and realising we can be part of the future too.”
Beyond the hardware, each school lab will also include access to the MTN Skills Academy, a free online platform offering training in digital literacy, entrepreneurship and personal development.
Henry Senkasi, Country Director for PEAS Uganda, praised the partnership and said access to technology should not be a privilege.
“Every student deserves the same chance to learn and thrive, whether they’re in a city or a rural district,” he said.
Other schools set to benefit from the Digital Access Project include St Catherine Girls School in Kazo District, Revival Girls High School in Mbarara, and the Tunaweza Foundation in Kampala.
To ensure lasting impact, MTN says the initiative includes comprehensive teacher training across all 30 beneficiary schools.
The company has so far established 63 ICT labs across Uganda, including several in technical institutions, as part of a broader commitment to inclusive education under its Ambition 2025 strategy.
