HiPipo Money

——————————-

In fulfillment of its vision of delivering a bold new digital World, MTN Uganda is hosting its Western Data Expo for 2014 in Kabale where a cross section of people had firsthand experience with MTN’s wide array of latest innovations including latest phones, dongles, routers and laptops that were on display for sale and educating the guests.

The MTN Internet Expo kicked off on 7th and is running till 9th August at The New Taxi Park opposite Kabale Central Market under the theme, Touch, Feel and Experience, in an engaging, entertaining and informative set up between 9am to 8pm.

The Expo was officially opened by the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Mr. Nandinda Darius who urged the business community in the region to make use of the wide range of products and services MTN had brought to the region to enhance their business growth.

Nandinda hailed MTN for choosing Kabale tohost the Expo adding that as the world merges into one global village, Kabale is fortunate to move along with the growing trend which he said includes transacting businesses through the different digital platforms which are powered by the internet.

He added that by advocating for internet use through the delivery of Bold New Digital World, MTN is playing a critical role in leading the country to a world of ease, comfort, time saving and cost effective method of doing business.

Available figures indicate that MTN Uganda has registered over 100% growth in the number of people using its services to access internet in the last few years translating into close to 3 million MTN Mobile Internet users to date.

Kenneth Kiddu, MTN’s Acting Chief Marketing Officersaid MTN Uganda will continue to enhance their offers to meet and exceed their customer’s needs to make their lives a whole lot brighter.

“MTN’s vision of leading the delivery of a bold, new Digital World to our customers is one of the reasons why we need to continue extending our connectivity drive into the regions with our Internet Expos. We shall continue with our strategy to drive data penetration in the country by ensuring regional uptake and balance. Using the Expo platform, we will continue to disseminate information on our wide product and service portfolio, educate our customers on the role of the internet with specific focus on the various attributes of our internet products and vast portfolio of devices that are readily available at unbeatable prices” Kiddu said.

In 2013 MTN became the first operator in Uganda, and one of the very first in Africa to launch the LTE service. The launch of LTE represented a major jump in mobile connectivity capabilities with speeds of up to 100Mbps.

“We are entering the Post-PC world. A world where the traditional computer is facing growth challenges from smartphone and tablet devices. While this might still take some time for Uganda to catch up, there is evidence that we are on the trajectory and the starting point is leveraging these expos that bring, the experience closer. We want people to Touch, Feel and Experience World-class Internet. The MTN internet Expos are the company’s way to take services closer to its audiences. It’s also intended to educate and create awareness for the vast opportunities available through the use of ICT as well as expose customers to the various data options available from MTN,” Kidduadded.

“Our investment into Uganda shows MTN’s commitment to continue providing services relevant to our customer’s current and future needs, and this firmly positions MTN as a leader with a clear vision for the future; leading the way for others to follow.”

Kiddu explained that over the next five years, data and digital services will be the primary focus of MTN Uganda.

“Our strategic objectives are dynamic and provide a comprehensive roadmap to maintain MTN as a clear Number One for Customer Experience and Superior Quality,” he concluded.

Through the rest of the year, MTN will also take the expos to Mbale, Lira,Mbarara, having already successfully hosted 2 in Kampala and Jinja.

—————————–

…as Tusker Malt Lager doubles sponsorship for the annual meet to UGX 200 million

Uganda Breweries Limited, through its premium brand Tusker Malt Lager, has today announced sponsorship of the 72^nd annual Uganda Open Golf Tournament scheduled for the 1^st – 6^th September, 2014 at the luscious grounds of the prestigious and historic Uganda Golf Club.

Following successful conclusion of the 2013 Uganda Open that attracted astrong contingent of both international and local golfers, Uganda Breweries Limited has this year doubled its title sponsorship to UGX 200 million for what is expected to be a scintillating and competitive 2014 Tusker Malt Uganda Open.

Tusker Malt Lager will be sponsoring the Uganda Open for the fourth consecutive year and has also doubled the professional category prize moneyfrom UGX 50 million last year to UGX 100 million. This is in a bid toraise the profile of the game within the region and sub-saharan Africa also attract notable professional players from around the globe. It is expected that this year, Ugandan golf could finally be host to star professionals from the Sunshine and European Tour.

The Uganda Golf Club has a tremendous golf course that has been designed and maintained to world class standards and the 2014 Tusker Malt Uganda Open will see over 400 golfers – both local and international amateurs, professional and guest golfers – tee off in the much anticipated five-day competition.

Making the announcement, Grace Nshemeire, the Uganda Breweries Limited Marketing Director said, “Since our maiden sponsorship in 2010, the Uganda Open has been growing in stature and popularity amongst professional and amateur golfers from all over the region.We are determined to make golf one of the essential vehicles for socio-economic transformation in Uganda. Cumulatively, we have so far spent UGX 700 million in sponsorship of the tournament and this year, we are doubling the kitty.”

She added, “We have doubled the sponsorship to resonate with the importance that we see the high net worth individuals attaching to the game. This is a premium tournament in Uganda’s golf calendar and we believe this time, the tournament will be even more exciting.”

This promises the fans a superb and exciting tournament and it will be interesting to see how competition pans out between the defending champion and other elite golfers that have won some of the top tournaments that have been held so far in the country.

“The game of golf has steadily grown in Uganda and we have seen a rise in the number of club memberships across the country, both by male and female golfers, young and old. The Uganda Open offers golfers a chance to shine at the big stage, and to showcase Uganda to international golf tournaments.” said the Uganda Golf Union President, KiryowaKiwanuka.

Kiwanuka added that the theme of the 2014 Tusker Malt Uganda Open; ‘Sport, Tourism, hospitality and Friendship’ gels in with the ideals that the Union is pushing for.

The tournament will kick off on the first day with a Practice Round followed by the Pro-Am tournamentwhere sponsors and their guests will be invited to test their golfing skills as well as interact with their peers across different industries and sectors.

The third day will see the official Tee-off of the tournament and commencement of round 1 which will include Pros with the game heating up in day two as round 2 to include Pros and round 1 of the subsidiary event gets underway.

The fifth day will see a very exciting encounter in the round 3 for the Pros and round 2 of the subsidiary event after which the curtains will close on the Tusker Malt Uganda Open 2014 on the sixth and final day as round 4 for the Pros comes to a close and later on the crowning of the winner will take place at an exciting and fun filled Prize Giving Ceremony and thereafter a dinner by sponsors at the 19^th hole.

Tusker Malt Lager embodies the spirit of the game of golf; it is brewed for longer than other contemporary lagers giving it that unmistakably rich, smooth premium taste that is widely recognized and that consumers have grown to love. The game of golf shares in the characteristics of Tusker Malt Lager – both being premium but accessible.

“To the Uganda golf professionals and amateurs who will participate this year, we wish you the best of luck and Ugandan golf fans will be awaiting for yet another local champion”, said the UBL Marketing Director in conclusion.

——————————

—————————————

Johannesburg –MTN yesterday announced the appointment of Zunaid Bulbulia as Group Chief Operating Executive, with the incumbent, Ahmad Farroukh replacing Bulbulia as CEO of MTN South Africa. Both appointments are effective immediately.

“In order to respond adequately to challenges and opportunities in our markets, we continue to take appropriate steps to enhance our competitive position, and to ensure the long-term sustainability of our business. To this end, the latest changes are in line with MTN’s strategy to regularly rotate key talent within the business. I wish both of Zunaid and Ahmad success in their new roles, as they continue to contribute to the growth of MTN in South Africa and across our footprint,” says Group President and CEO Sifiso Dabengwa.

Zunaid is a founding member of MTN and was the Chief Financial Officer of MTN SA, prior to being appointed CEO of MTN SA. Ahmad is a former CEO of MTN Nigeria, and served in a similar role at MTN Ghana. Before assuming the role of Group Chief Operating Executive, he was Vice-President of the West and Central Africa (WECA) region. Both Zunaid and Ahmad will continue to serve on the Group EXCO.

– Issued by MTN Group Corporate Affairs

About the MTN Group

Launched in 1994, the MTN Group is a leading emerging market operator, connecting subscribers in 22 countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The MTN Group is listed on the JSE Securities Exchange in South Africa under the share code: “MTN.” As of 31 March 2014, MTN recorded 210.1 million subscribers 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

———————————–

British Airways has invited travel consultants operating in Uganda to improve their travel consultancy and management skills by undertaking the BA Academy programme via an online e-learning module based system.

The programme which starts on 01 Aug 2014 and lasts until 31October 2014, aims to improve the consultants’ knowledge about British Airways products and services.

Talking about what British Airways expects to achieve through the programme, Faith Chaitezvi British Airways Country Commercial Manager Uganda said, “making sure all the necessary tools are used effectively to enhance our passengers travel is a top priority for British Airways, that is why programmes like e-learning is vital in order to keep our travel agents abreast with developments in the industry. This programme will also act as a revision tool for our travel consultantswho embrace it, providing them with the excellence required to cater for ever changing customer needs in the course of their everyday work.”   

 BA academy e-learning programme consists of four progressive membership levels which include Blue, Bronze, Silver and Gold. Blue is a default level assigned to every member, Bronze levelis assigned upon successful completion of three modules, Silver  level is assigned upon successful completion of 6 modules and Gold level is assigned upon successful completion of 8 modules, which is the total number of modules to be completed in the programme.  An e-certificate is awarded at the completion of each module.

“The first 10 graduates to the next membership level which is the Bronze, Silver and Gold will win various amazing prizes, such as British Airways merchandise, mobile credit vouchers, shopping vouchers and fuel vouchers. The overall Bronze winnerswill receive shopping vouchers worth Ugx 500,000/= each, while 4overall Silver winners will each receive smart phones. The 2 grand prize winners selected from the gold level for the BA Academy 2014 will take 2 ipads. To elaborate more on the qualification process, Faith Chaitezvi stated, “The system will automatically select winners using a built in tool for finding winners from all participants who have completed the most training courses with the least number of attempts. Winners will be informed by email and a follow up phone call.”

To enroll for the BA Academy 2014, visit http://academy.speedbirdclub.com/ug.”