MTN Uganda ends Y’ello Care campaign with support for maternal health in Amudat

Minister Esther Anyakun joins MTN staff and partners during the handover of support to Karita Health Centre IV in Amudat District on Friday. Amudat, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | MTN Uganda has ended its 2026 21 Days of Y’ello Care campaign with support for maternal and newborn healthcare at Karita Health Centre IV in Amudat District, one of the country’s most remote areas. The telecommunications company and its partners provided medical equipment and supplies, solar power systems and information and communications technology equipment.

They also gave bicycles and smartphones to Village Health Teams, trained health workers in digital health and carried out community health activities. The support provided to four health centres during the campaign was valued at more than Shs600 million, according to MTN Uganda. Karita was the final stop in the campaign, after similar interventions at Kibiito Health Centre IV in Bunyangabu, Maddu Health Centre IV in Gomba and Kiyunga Health Centre IV in Luuka.

The campaign comes as Uganda continues to make progress in reducing maternal and newborn deaths, although significant challenges remain. The maternal mortality ratio has fallen to 189 deaths per 100,000 live births, from 336 a decade ago. But this remains well above the Sustainable Development Goal target of fewer than 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030.

Neonatal mortality has also declined from 27 to 22 deaths per 1,000 live births, but remains above the SDG target of 12. “We at MTN Uganda believe that everyone deserves the benefits of a modern connected life,” said Dennis A. Kakonge, General Manager, Corporate Services and Company Secretary at MTN MoMo.

“It is about connecting people to information, connecting healthcare workers to the tools they need, and connecting communities to services and opportunities.” Reaching remote communities Karita Health Centre IV serves more than 40,000 people in Amudat and neighbouring areas, including communities close to the Kenyan border. For many residents, reaching specialised medical care can be difficult. Moroto Regional Referral Hospital is about 200km away, while Amudat Hospital is roughly 90km from Karita.

Some residents instead cross the border to seek treatment at Kach…