MTN Uganda hands over inclusive ICT Lab to Iganga Secondary School

IGANGA, Uganda — MTN Uganda, through its MTN Foundation’s Digital Access Project, has provided a fully equipped and inclusive information and communication technology (ICT) laboratory to Iganga Secondary School.

The state-of-the-art facility, designed to serve both sighted and visually impaired students, marks a significant advancement for inclusive digital education in Uganda. The handover ceremony took place Wednesday.

Iganga Secondary School, located in eastern Uganda and accommodating over 1,900 students, including 21 with visual impairments, is one of only two secondary schools in the Busoga region offering inclusive education.

Brian Mbasa, Senior Manager of the MTN Foundation, emphasized the foundation’s commitment to ensuring technology accessibility for all Ugandans.

“Technology should be a bridge—not a barrier. Through this ICT lab, we are opening doors to dignity, independence, and unlimited opportunities for every learner at Iganga Secondary School,” Mbasa said.

The ICT lab, part of a UGX 1 billion (approximately $270,000 USD) investment by the MTN Foundation, includes 10 computers with JAWS software for visually impaired learners, sound amplifiers, scanners, printers, and one year of free internet connectivity. This lab is one of 11 being established nationwide, with five in inclusive schools.

Monica Nakaziba Kayira, Headmistress of Iganga Secondary School, described the donation as transformative, stating it would “level the playing field for all our learners.”

The project was implemented in partnership with Sense International Uganda, an advocate for inclusive education for students with disabilities. Edward Otim, Regional Director at Sense International Uganda, highlighted the higher cost of supporting visually impaired students and praised MTN’s investment in inclusion.

Sarah Kwagala Tenywa, the District Inspector of Schools for Iganga District, stressed the importance of ICT literacy and commended Iganga Secondary School and MTN Uganda for promoting inclusive education.

The Digital Access Project aligns with MTN Uganda’s Ambition 2025 strategy and supports Uganda’s Vision 2040 and the Digital Transformation Roadmap, as well as United Nations Sustainable Development Goals related to education and reduced inequalities.

MTN Uganda has established 63 ICT labs in educational institutions across the country to date, including nine in technical and vocational institutions.