On Thursday last week during the European Union’s Democracy Day and Access to Information Day celebrations, a 24 year old plumber was crowned winner of a video contest that had been running in commemoration of Democracy Day. The announcement was made during the EU’s celebrations at Makerere University.
Danish Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. Amb. Mogens Pedersen giving his keynote address
24 year old Timothy Balyejusa, took first place in the video contest that was ran to gather youth’s opinions on what democracy meant to them.
Contestants were required to submit one-minute videos on the theme ‘My Democracy Is’. The challenge was taken on by 65 contestants, with only three of them being from female participants. The competition was part of a series of activities that the European Union was running as part of their democracy celebrations
Speaking during the prize handover, Ms. Sandra Paesen, Chargee d’Affaires at the EU Delegation remarked “Congratulations to all the winners, and everyone else who participated in the challenge. You should all be proud of your submissions. Your opinions demonstrated how much you are passionate about your country and politics.” Sandra Paesen congratulates the only female winner of the Video Contest, Doreen Musiimenta. Doreen emerged 3rd in the competition and won herself a brand new Samsung Galaxy J2
As the overall winner, Timothy received and walked away with a brand new Samsung Galaxy S8; second winner, Ivan Masaba won himself a Samsung Galaxy S7 while third position won Doreen Musiimenta a Samsung Galaxy J2. The other seven winners won hampers containing an EU T-shirt, flash disk, stationery and a certification of participation.
The European Union marked the Access to Information Day by organizing and hosting a round-table and plenary discussion at Makerere that had panelists comprising of Isaac Imaka, Prof. Goretti Nassanga, Nicholas Opiyo and Eshban Kwesiga. NTV’s On the Spot show host, Patrick Kamara graced the discussion as moderator. The discussion focused on the access to information in the digital era as an enabler for democracy and development; also highlighting challenges and opportunities for Uganda as a nation. The discussion culminated into a students’ debate, which brought the event to a close.
Sandra Paesen congratulates the only female winner of the Video Contest, Doreen Musiimenta. Doreen emerged 3rd in the competition and won herself a brand new Samsung Galaxy J2
Sandra Paesen, Chargee d’Affaires at the EU giving opening remarks at the start of the event
Muhereza Kyamutetera CEO The Firm speaking
Danish Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. Amb. Mogens Pedersen giving his keynote address
The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) has today launched the second edition of the “Friends with Benefits” campaign, an initiative aimed at promoting a savings and investments culture amongst Ugandans.
The campaign that runs as a TV show profiles former NSSF members who received and invested or used their NSSF benefits to do something inspirational and life changing.
“Our objective is to inspire both our existing and potential members, especially the younger generation to save for their retirement. As was the case in the first season, we shall showcase stories of willing NSSF beneficiaries to demonstrate various projects one can undertake to improve their lives using their NSSF benefits,” said Barbra Arimi, NSSF’s Head of Marketing and Communications during the launch.
Following the inaugural campaign held last year, the Fund registered a significant increment in its Voluntary saving plan with over 400 people joining the plan and shs670, 000,000 collected between the months of September and December when the TV show aired.
“At the end of the first campaign, 95% of interviewed Ugandans showed more willingness to save for their retirement.
Beneficiaries will be required to submit a short and compelling story, stating how they utilized their NSSF savings and transformed their lives.
In addition, relatives and friends can also share stories of beneficiaries they know whose lives have been transformed because they put their benefits to excellent use.
The Top 16 successful stories will be aired in a compelling TV show where winners will be selected through voting by the public and an expert panel of judges. Three winners will then be rewarded with a total of shs 55million to further improve their lives.
Over 500 submission were received in the first season and Harriet Balyama emerged winner of the campaign, walking away with shs30m which she used to complete construction of rental units.
The Friends with Benefits second season will run for a period of 6 months starting with the call for submissions on October 4th.
Fresh Dairy hosted over 370 Dairy farmers to its third Farmer’s Field Day held on Friday, 29th September 2017 in Sembabule District, that was aimed at showcasing to the farmers various modern ways in which to boost dairy production from their livestock.
Fresh Dairy, the leading producers of Fresh milk, UHT long life milk, Instant powder milk, Long life milk, Yoghurt, Ghee, Butter and Cream in Uganda currently work with 25,000 farmers mainly in Central and South Western Uganda from whom they source milk daily. Currently, Fresh Dairy handles 600,000 litres of milk every day.
John Gethi, Director Milk Procurement – Brookside Limited, the producers of Fresh Dairy products called upon all farmers present at the Farmer’s Field Day event to take home a new idea and practice it on their respective farms, while maintaining best farm practices. He further cautioned service providers to maintain quality while supplying inputs to livestock farmers.
Kwikizi Steven (L), a farmer from Sembabule district receives a Grass Cutter from John Gethi (R ) – Director Milk Procurement-Brookside Limited that he won during a raffle draw held at Fresh Dairy’s Farmer’s Field Day held in Sembabule District on 29th September 2017, that was aimed at supporting dairy farmers to boost production of milk. Fresh Dairy currently works with over 25,000 farmers in Uganda.
The Guest of Honour was Hon. Theodore Sekikubo – Lwemiyaga Member of Parliament who represented State Minister for Agriculture Hon. Joy Kabasi.
Mr Gethi further said, ‘Fresh Dairy benefits from volumes because of increased demand for raw milk production.’ Fresh Dairy not only links its farmers to stakeholders with in the Dairy sector, but also offers them training services for better product enhancement measures such as veterinary services, cattle feeding, breeding, disease control, proper record keeping, financial and banking facilities, insurance and alternative energy sources such as Solar among others. Fresh Dairy also avails farmers with milk quality testing equipment, Aluminium milk cans and pails which have increased their clean milk production.
Hon. Theodore Sekikubo, Member of Parliament Lwemiyaga gives a speech during Fresh Dairy’s Farmer’s Field Day held in Sembabule District on 29th September 2017, that was aimed at supporting dairy farmers to boost production of milk. Fresh Dairy currently works with over 25,000 farmers in Uganda.
As part of the event, a raffle draw was held where Farmers took home various Dairy-related prizes to include: A Cow won by George Kugumaho, Grass cutter won by Kwikirizi Steven who is a farmer based in Sembabule District, Milking buckets and Cans among others.
Fresh Dairy pledges to continue holding more Farmer’s Field Days that are open to all farmers, with the next one scheduled to take place in Ngoma – Nakaseke District.
• MTN Uganda takes home Digital Brand of the Year, Best Technology Brand on Social Media and Best Mobile Financial Service for Africa (MTN Mobile Money)
• Other awards, Best Financial Inclusion Product/Service (MTN/CBA MoKash) and Best Digital Customer Service by Technology Brand, ensured MTN Uganda put the icing on the cake on impressive awards night
MTN Uganda took home five gongs at the Digital Impact Awards Africa (DIAA) 2017 awards night held on Friday 22nd September, 2017 at the Kampala Serena Hotel.
The awards cemented MTN Uganda’s position as the number one telecommunications company in Uganda.
The accolades that MTN Uganda scooped are; Digital Brand of the Year, Best Technology Brand on Social Media, Best Mobile Financial Service for Africa (MTN Mobile Money), Best Financial Inclusion Product/Service (MTN/CBA MoKash) and Best Digital Customer Service by Technology Brand.
The organizer of the Digital Impact Awards Africa (DIAA), Mr. Innocent Kawooya, who is also the CEO of HiPipo, commended MTN Uganda for this massive achievement: “We congratulate MTN Uganda for their great work which is out there for everyone to see. So much has been accomplished with more Ugandans now enjoying cheaper digital and financial services”.
MTN Uganda has taken the lead in developing products that have had an impact on society. From MTN Mobile Money, MTN Uganda together with CBA developed the first ever product that allows people to borrow and save, while earning interest. This explains why that product, MoKash was able to win an accolade.
MTN Uganda General Manager of Mobile Financial Services Elsa Muzzolini (2nd from left) shows off the award Best Mobile Financial Service for Africa (MTN Mobile Money) that MTN Uganda won at the Digital Impact Awards Africa (DIAA) 2017 awards night held at the Kampala Serena Hotel. She is flanked by Christopher Ssali (left), the MTN Mobile Money Product Manager, the DIAA Patron Hon. Karubanga David (right), the State Minister for Public Service and Prof Maggie Kigozi (right) the recipient of the DIAA 2017 Investment Leadership Award.
“The growth and impact of MTN Mobile Money has been visible with our 8.8 million customers. In July, we celebrated the mobile money users with the MTN Mobile Money Month and a free concert in August 2017. Our commitment is to ensure we keep developing products that can transform society,” Elsa Muzzolini, the General Manager, MTN Mobile Financial Services. With the continued use of data in the country, MTN has also expanded its digital presence, making its several platforms interactive and engaging customers.
Apart from impressive financial inclusion products, MTN Uganda Social Media is also trail blazing. MTN Uganda’s Facebook page grew organically by188,000 followers in the past 1 year alone while their Twitter handle @mtnug grew by 42,472 followers in the same period alone.
According to Olivier Prentout the MTN Uganda Chief Marketing Officer, the awards were testament to MTN’s understanding of customer needs. “We are excited about the awards. We thank our customers who have been part of this journey. It is because of them that we continue to ensure we develop products that fit their needs,” he said.
The Digital Impact Awards Africa (DIAA) Patron, Hon. Karubanga David, state minister for Public Service, congratulated all the winners and HiPipo; the organizer of the event for their contribution to national development. “I am honoured to be part of Digital Impact Awards Africa. Both the digital and financial sectors continue to strongly contribute to the development of our country. We in the public sector are doing our best to match the excellence exhibited by these private players” he said.
Olivier Prentout the MTN Uganda Chief Marketing Officer (center) is flanked by other dignitaries and MTN Uganda staff soon after receiving the Digital Brand of the Year award that MTN Uganda won at the Digital Impact Awards Africa (DIAA) 2017 awards night held at the Kampala Serena Hotel. The award was presented to him by the DIAA Patron, Hon. Karubanga David, State Minister for Public Service. MTN Uganda took home four other awards which cemented their position as the number one telecommunications company in Uganda.
On her part Prof Maggie Kigozi, the recipient of the DIAA 2017 Investment Leadership Award, applauded the organizers, winners and all participants for coming together to celebrate two sectors that are very fundamental in global development. “Digital and Finance are very essential for development. All other sectors, be it Agriculture or Tourism among others depend on them. As a country we have come from very far; from about 40,000 phones in the late 1990s to about 27 million mobile subscribers today. We are moving in the right direction,” Maggie Kigozi said.
About MTN Uganda
Launched in 1998, MTN Uganda is the leading communications operator in Uganda, offering Mobile and Fixed telecommunications, Mobile Money Services and Internet Service Provisioning. As of 30th June 2017, MTN Uganda recorded 11.2 million subscribers across Uganda. Visit us at www.mtn.co.ug or follow us on www.youtube.com/mtnug and www.twitter.com/mtnug for assistance.
About the MTN Group
Launched in 1994, the MTN Group is a leading emerging market operator, connecting subscribers in 22 countries in Africa and the Middle East. The MTN Group is listed on the JSE Securities Exchange in South Africa under the share code: “MTN.” As of 30th June 2017, MTN recorded 232 million subscribers with 18 million active Mobile Money users and 72 million active Data users across its operations in Afghanistan, Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Cyprus, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Republic, Iran, Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of Congo (Congo-Brazzaville), Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, South Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Uganda, Yemen and Zambia. Visit us at, www.mtnbusiness.com, www.mtn.com and www.mtnmmo.com
• Winners get gift hampers with goodies worth 5 million
• Swimmers compete in the 25m,50m short distance sprints and 100m to top up the sprints
Dolphins Swim Club hosted the Fast and Furious swimming gala a sprinting meet at Gems Cambridge International School, Butabika.
This was a fun filled gala that was dominated by the 25m, 50m and a 100m individual races across all age categories to top up the short distance sprints. These short sprints take excellent technique and need explosive strength for speed and teaches one how best to use their muscles.
Speaking to the journalists, MultiChoice Uganda PR and Communications Manager, Tina Wamala said, “DStv Uganda has keen interest in supporting children in sports, because we believe in a generation of fully rounded children that don’t only excel in academics but also participate in sports.” “Swimming has taken centre stage for DStv Uganda because it physically and mentally engages these children and it is fun, as most children love water.”
She continued by saying, “DStv has given out gift hampers with different goodies worth Ugx 5 million to the winners of the competition to be used in the day to day support of these young swimmers. These include towels , goggles, waterbottles among others.”
The Dolphins Chairman, Sam Ntulume, while congratulating the winners he said, “We thank all the clubs for taking part in the gala and professionally competing for the top positions, you have all made this event remarkable. We congratulate all the winners of this competition and also encourage those who didn’t win, never to give up and look forward to the coming competitions.”
He thanked the parents who have taken it upon themselves to turn up in huge numbers and support the children as it has boosted the teams to be at their best form throughout the competitions.
The overall winners for the Dolphins Fast & Furious 2017 competition included:
AGE CATEGORY GIRLS BOYS
Winner’s Name Swim Club Winner’s Name Swim Club
8 & Under Mudanye Amelia Seal Swim Club Ssengooba Ethan Dolphins Swim Club
9-10 Years White Heather Silverfin Academy Kaumi Pendo
Kaumbe John Dolphins Swim Club
Seals Swim Club
11- 12 Years Namutebi Kirabo Dolphins Swim Club White Reuben Silverfin Academy
13 and Over Katumba Selina Silverfin Academy Tendo Mukalazi
Adnan Kabuye Dolphins Swim Club
Dolphins Swim Club
• Another 10 lucky winners walk away with UGX 200,000 each
• Donny Simela wins additional UGX 775,000 out of UGX 5 million cash machine
• On site subscribers to win goodies including T-shirts, bags, Key rings
The GOtv Kwata Kavu continues to intensify as more excited GOtv subscribers have won in the ongoing customer incentive campaign. Another 10 GOtv subscribers walked away with UGX 200,000 each. Donny Simela who was representing Mary Kaiza was the lucky winner who entered the cash machine and won an additional UGX 775,000.
“It is exciting, it is about our customer and we are proud of the temperature the campaign has taken. We still have lots of cash to give our esteemed customers, its just a question of them taking up this offer and participating actively. We urge all those who are yet to win to participate and join our GOtv winning family” said Mandela Luyimbazi, GOtv Sales Team leader at the handover ceremony.
GOtv subscribers stand a chance to win themselves weekly cash prizes worth 10 million Uganda Shillings. Maldinho, the GOtv model continues to storm different towns (Nansana, Kijjabwemi, Kyotera etc) throughout the country sensitizing people about the campaign through his football trickery. Customers and revelers who actively participate in his challenges will win themselves T-shirts, key rings, balls and string bags basing on how best they juggle. To qualify for the cash prizes subscribers are required to either buy a GOtv Kit at UGX 87,500 or renew their GOtv Value (UGX 16,000 per month) or GOtv Plus (UGX 26,000 per month) subscriptions or upgrade to GOtv Plus or GOtv Value. Upon sending their IUC number to 6488 customers will automatically enter the draw to win the various prizes. Through a live weekly television draw 10 customers will win themselves UGX 200,000 and one of winner out of the 10 will return to win up to UGX 5 million in the cash machine.
Amongst week 5 winners included Asiimwe Macklin from Kampala, Abdul Shabair from Mukono, Alex Wamundu from Kampala, Paphra Barengae from Kampala, Jonathan Ikol from Wakiso, Mary Kaiza from Kampala, Omodo Omodo from Lira, Ojok Tonny from Kampala, Oscar Wakisa from Kampala.
