MTN Foundation Uganda has launched an ICT hub in Palabek Refugee Settlement, Lamwo District, providing 12 computers, internet access, and digital learning resources to support education, employment, and entrepreneurship. The facility, established in partnership with Hopelink Action Foundation Uganda, serves nearly 72,000 refugees and asylum seekers, predominantly from South Sudan, in a region where digital infrastructure remains limited. Francis Gimara, a trustee of MTN Foundation, emphasized that technology access is now essential for economic participation and information retrieval, aligning with MTN Uganda’s Ambition 2030 strategy and Uganda’s Fourth National Development Plan, which prioritizes digital transformation and human capital growth.
The initiative expands MTN Foundation’s ICT centers to 94 nationwide since 2007, targeting underserved populations beyond urban areas. Users can access online education platforms, job portals, and digital services, while programs like MTN ACE and MTN Skills Academy aim to build tech skills. Richard Ochaka Okot, executive director of Hopelink Action Foundation Uganda, highlighted the hub’s role in fostering knowledge and innovation, ensuring community-driven sustainability. Wilson Mugabe, deputy commandant of the Office of the Prime Minister’s Refugee Desk, noted that digital infrastructure can bridge gaps in service access and economic opportunities for both refugees and host communities.
The project aligns with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals on education, decent work, and innovation, supporting Uganda’s push to integrate more citizens into its digital economy. With 72,000 refugees in Palabek and ongoing challenges in rural connectivity, the hub addresses critical barriers to digital equity. MTN Foundation’s expansion underscores corporate responsibility in advancing inclusive growth, as noted by Gimara, who described the initiative as a step toward equitable participation in modern economic systems.
The Palabek ICT hub reflects a broader effort to leverage technology for social and economic empowerment. By combining corporate investment with local partnerships, the project aims to create long-term benefits for refugees and surrounding communities. As Uganda’s digital landscape evolves, such initiatives highlight the intersection of public-private collaboration and sustainable development in addressing systemic challenges.