MTN Uganda, through its MTN Foundation in partnership with Maendeleo Foundation, has deepened its rural digital inclusion drive after graduating 225 trainees in Amuru District under the Internet Bus programme, an initiative designed to bring ICT skills directly to underserved communities.
The mobile training programme, delivered on a fully equipped bus fitted with computers and internet connectivity, is helping bridge long-standing gaps in access to digital education, particularly in rural northern Uganda where infrastructure and cost have limited participation in the digital economy.
Participants underwent practical training in ICT for business, internet use and online safety, equipping them with skills increasingly seen as essential for employment, entrepreneurship and access to public services.
Resident District Commissioner Geoffrey Osborn Oceng said the programme is already changing lives at community level.
“What we are witnessing here is not just training, but transformation. When young people and women gain digital skills, they are better positioned to create opportunities for themselves and contribute to development,” he said.
MTN’s Regional Commercial Head for Northern Uganda, Philip Odoi, said the initiative reflects the company’s commitment to inclusion through connectivity.
“Our goal is not only to connect people, but to ensure they can meaningfully use that connectivity to improve their livelihoods, create opportunities and drive local development,” he said.
The Amuru graduation adds to a wider rollout across the country, with similar trainings conducted in Mukono, Jinja, Nabilatuk, Kiryandongo, Rwampara and Bushenyi. Since 2022, the Internet Bus has reached more than 5,900 people across 44 communities.
For many participants, the training represents a practical entry point into the digital world, with beneficiaries saying the skills will support job searches, small business growth and access to online services. Women and youth formed the majority of the cohort, underscoring the programme’s focus on inclusive participation.
The top performers were also rewarded, with Andio Daniel from Keyo Village in Lamogi Sub-county and Auma Mercy from Atiak Sub-county emerging as the best trainees. They received laptops and MiFi devices to support continued learning beyond the classroom.
Other standout participants, Ocayajok Haron and Akena Nelson, were each awarded MiFi devices to help them stay connected as they build on the skills acquired.
MTN Uganda says the Internet Bus initiative will continue to scale as part of its broader strategy to close the digital divide and enable more Ugandans to participate in the country’s growing digital economy.
