MTN Uganda has launched a platform to enables their subscribers donate mobile money towards efforts to combat the spread of the covid-19 in the country. According to a press statement from MTN, the proceeds from this intervention will help fund efforts of the Uganda Red Cross as it works to help combat further spread of the virus and support those who are finding it hard to fend for themselves.
MTN has collaborated with Red Cross and availed them with a Merchant Account where customers can make donations via mobile money. This can be done by dialing *165*3*191919# and send any amount of their choice.
While speaking at a news conference hosted on social media today, MTN Uganda CEO – Wim Vanhelleputte, stressed the company’s commitment to contribute towards efforts aimed at reducing the impact of the COVID-19 on Ugandans.
The country currently has 44 confirmed cases and a national lockdown and curfew have been declared by the president to mitigate the pandemic’s spread.
MTN has provided UGX 500m towards efforts geared at fighting the spread of COVID-19. UGX 297 million of that money has already been disbursed to the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) for their execution plan that includes community sensitization and surveillance, ambulance services, psychological support, case tracing and handling referrals among other interventions.
The company recently waived all charges to send any amount of money using MTN Mobile Money, in a move to minimize the physical exchange of paper money and fight COVID-19. They also introduced the‘work from home’ data bundle. Wim said;
“MTN is committed to continue working with the government, and other partners to reduce the impact and disruption that this pandemic is having on the lives of Ugandans. Working closely with the ministry of Health, MTN Uganda has committed its media assets including radio, SMS, social media, call centre and continues to implement various precautionary measures to drive awareness among the public to protect themselves,”
