Kampala, Uganda — October 2025:
MTN Uganda has unveiled the third phase of its flagship Changemakers Initiative, a community investment programme under the MTN Foundation aimed at supporting innovative grassroots projects that are transforming lives across the country.
In this new phase, the Foundation will provide UGX 500 million in grants to fund 25 community projects focused on education, health, water and environment, and economic empowerment. The rollout reaffirms MTN’s commitment to inclusive growth and local innovation.
Speaking at the launch in Kampala on behalf of MTN Uganda CEO Sylvia ElSheikh, the company’s Chief Marketing Officer said the initiative underscores MTN’s belief that technology is only meaningful when it improves lives.
“The Changemakers Initiative reminds us that hope, compassion and action can truly change the world,” she said. “This next phase is about walking with Uganda’s unsung heroes and amplifying their impact.”
Since its inception, the MTN Changemakers Initiative has supported 50 community projects, directly reaching more than 165,000 beneficiaries across Uganda’s five sub-regions.
During the second phase, MTN Foundation received over 2,400 applications, with 295 meeting the evaluation criteria and 25 projects being funded between October 2024 and March 2025. These projects included education programs for vulnerable children, clean water systems for rural households, and youth-led environmental campaigns.
George William Egaddu, Chairperson of the MTN Foundation Uganda Board of Trustees, commended the resilience and creativity of local innovators.
“We’ve met individuals and community groups who, despite limited means, are solving local problems with courage and innovation,” he said. “They are the true changemakers who remind us that small ideas, when nurtured, can deliver extraordinary impact.”
Egaddu added that the Foundation’s efforts align with MTN’s Ambition 2025 strategy and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasizing a shared vision of inclusive development and partnership with government to advance social progress.
“Our focus remains on empowering communities through practical, sustainable solutions that enhance livelihoods,” he noted.
The call for applications for Changemakers Phase III is now open. Ugandans with community-based projects can apply online at www.mtn.co.ug/changemakers
