Airtel Uganda Donates UGX. 20 Million Towards Makerere’s Centenary Celebrations.

“We understand that Makerere University intends to construct a teaching and research hospital, and a science and innovation park among other good projects. We are pleased to register our initial commitment of UGX. 20 million to support Makerere in realising these projects.”

Airtel Uganda, one of the leading telecommunications companies in Uganda has donated 20 million shillings to facilitate Makerere University’s centennial celebrations. 

The donation is dedicated towards supporting the events organized by Makerere University in celebration of 100 years of its existence. These events have been ongoing for almost a year and include an exhibition showcasing the journey of Makerere at 100, a series of public lectures and a grand event in October, 2022. 

Ms. Lwanga Flavia, the Director of Human Resources, representing the Managing Director of Airtel Uganda, delivered this donation to Makerere at a press conference held at the Rotary Peace Center in the Frank Kalimuzo Central Teaching Facility. She hailed Makerere for being a key source of human resources in the field of telecommunications engineering which is vital in developing affordable solutions that characterise Airtel’s brand.

“We understand that Makerere University intends to construct a teaching and research hospital, and a science and innovation park among other good projects. We are pleased to register our initial commitment of UGX. 20 million to support Makerere in realising these projects.” she said. 

Herself being an alumnus of Makerere, she extended her gratitude to her lecturers and the entire Makerere community for the support she was accorded while at the University. She further mentioned that over 90% of Airtel Uganda employees are alumni of Makerere.

Speaking at the event, the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe thanked Airtel Uganda for their work in developing the country and bettering the lives of Ugandans through providing telecommunication solutions. 

“When Airtel Uganda started, Makerere University was one of the first clients and to this day, most of our staff are Airtel users. Airtel Uganda also allowed to zero-rate the Airtel broadband network on campus for students to access e-learning.” he said. He also conveyed the university’s gratitude toward the telecom giant for its contribution to the centenary celebrations. 

Makerere University introduced Telecommunications Engineering over 20 years ago as the industry was budding in the country which then put the university in a unique position to train and produce professionals with the requisite skill sets to occupy the industry. This event has been a vindication and testimony to the foresight and strategic guidance of the university leadership.