In a significant development poised to revolutionize vocational training standards in Jinja, the MTN Foundation—MTN Uganda’s philanthropic arm—has today announced a landmark contribution to Heta Vocational Ground.
The donation, part of the esteemed MTN Changemakers Initiative, underscores MTN’s commitment to fostering inclusive, empowered and sustainable development of communities across Uganda.
This premier vocational training center, known for its commitment to empowering vulnerable communities, has historically relied on basic tailoring machines for training and employment initiatives. The limitations of such equipment have constrained both the learning velocity and the volume of commercially viable garments produced.
This scenario is poised for a significant overhaul following the MTN Foundation’s generous provision of industrial-grade tailoring machines, inclusive of embroidery units, alongside four internet-ready computers, and comprehensive phone repair toolkits.
The equipment, valued at a collective UGX 20 million, is expected to dramatically enhance operational efficiency, foster higher income opportunities for the institution, and afford vulnerable learners who utilize the tailoring facilities for commercial production a competitive edge.
Expressing her gratitude, Ms. Hellen Kirunda, the visionary behind Heta Vocational Ground, highlighted the anticipated impact of this support: “The infusion of modern technology into our operations not only augments our production capacity but also broadens the economic prospects for our learners and the institution at large,” she stated.
Buoyed by this injection of advanced machinery, Ms. Kirunda envisions an expansion of the center’s vocational training offerings to nine additional districts, including Iganga, Kamuli, Luuka, Bugiri, Mayuge, Bugweri, Buyende, Kalio, Namutumba, and Namayingo.
Heta Vocational Grounds, with its 300-learner capacity, remains steadfast in its mission to equip young women, men, and differently abled youth, with the requisite skills, knowledge, and attitudes for seamless integration into the workforce. The institution plays a pivotal role in curtailing unemployment and underemployment, fostering job creation through comprehensive skills training in areas crucial for Uganda’s sustained economic advancement.
“Empowering the youth with marketable skills is fundamental for sustained community and national development, fostering a cycle of creativity, innovation, and lifelong productivity,” Ms. Kirunda said.
During the equipment handover ceremony at Heta Vocational Grounds in Jinja City, MTN Uganda’s Head of Commercial Eastern Region, Njagala Allan, said the initiative aligns with MTN’s Ambition 2025 strategy that envisions a future where digital inclusivity, sustainability, and community empowerment are not mere aspirations but tangible realities.
“MTN Uganda is committed to a future where every Ugandan, regardless of their background or status, has access to the opportunities afforded by a modern, connected life,” Njagala said. “Our partnership with Heta Vocational Grounds embodies our collective pursuit of unstoppable community transformation.”
This support comes on the backdrop of a pressing youth unemployment crisis in Uganda, with World Bank data indicating that over 75% of the population is under the age of 30, and a youth unemployment rate that significantly outpaces the national average.
MTN Uganda launched the MTN Changemakers Initiative in July last year to support individuals and organizations creating impact in their communities. The company has since allocated UGX 500 million to support 25 select projects nationwide, spanning various sectors, as part of its broader commitment to investing in Uganda’s future. This endeavor aims to empower youth, women, persons with disabilities, and rural communities across five Ugandan regions.
Over the past decade, the MTN Foundation has contributed UGX 30 billion towards more than 250 projects in education, health, youth empowerment, and more, establishing itself as a key driver of positive change and development across Uganda.
