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Shift Media News 
By Our Reporter
Kamuli, Uganda| SHIFT MEDIA NEWS (UG) The MTN Uganda Foundation, together with Fenix International Uganda as an implementing partner has partnered to light up 30 schools in Kamuli District.
Kamuli district is one of those facing acute power shortages even if it is connected to the national grid, and not far the power dams.
This has affected the performance of school children since revision time is hampered each time there is no electricity. Kamuli is also not among the top-ranking districts in Uganda in all examinations.
The MTN Foundation has donated 150 solar kits to the Kamuli schools. Fenix International Uganda will install and maintain the kits.
Fenix International Uganda will provide power and lighting for selected schools in Kamuli District, under its next-generation energy and technology company whose mission is to improve the quality of life of customers through inclusive energy.
Fenix International Uganda will install and maintain the kits to ensure the project’s sustainability.
The donation is part of an initiative by the foundation worth UGX380 million in which a total of 550 customized solar kits will be provided for schools and health facilities in different parts of the country.
The 30 schools in Kamuli will receive a total of 150 kits. Under a similar project in June this year, MTN donated and installed 100 solar kits in Bunambutye resettlement camp in Bulambuli district in Eastern Uganda and another 100 were installed in schools and health centers in Buvuma Islands.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, MTN Uganda General Manager Corporate Services Enid Edroma explained that the project dubbed “Light up a Village” is aimed at improving performance of learners in schools by increasing reading time especially in the night, to enhance teacher preparation for lessons and provide a secure environment while increasing enrollment.
“By providing solar lighting, learners can be able to read for longer as they prepare for their forthcoming exams. Their safety is also guaranteed especially those in boarding schools who are staying in dormitories without light,” Edroma said.
Edroma said that the world is now a global village where competition doesn’t consider your personal circumstances. “There are no more special considerations for people because of the circumstances under which you studied. In the market place, you compete on equal footing. We don’t want the children here to get very disadvantaged and that’s why we at MTN decided to lend a helping hand to give them a fighting chance.”
“As the MTN Foundation, we are passionate about education and we hope that by lighting up these schools, the students can have better chances to study and perform better in their national exams,” Edroma said.
The RT.Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, Speaker of Parliament and the woman MP for Kamuli thanked MTN for the gesture.
“Kamuli district has a lot of potentials but we have been facing some limitations such as power shortage among other things. What MTN has done here is something very good and we are very grateful. The Onus is now on our children, teachers and our medical personal to properly utilize these facilities in a sustainable manner for our own good,” Kadaga said.
The MTN Foundation has undertaken to support a number of government initiatives in the education sub-sector. MTN Foundation has been building and rehabilitating schools in various parts of Uganda in partnership with PEAS. MTN Foundation has also been extending ICT knowledge to rural schools using the MTN ICT bus. The bus is fully equipped with ICT facilities with which the children and given basic ICT training.
