MTN Launches 21 Days of Y’ello Care Campaign to Improve Maternal and Newborn Healthcare

What the report says

MTN Uganda has launched the 2026 edition of its annual 21 Days of Y’ello Care campaign, focusing this year on maternal and newborn healthcare. According to Nile Post, the initiative combines employee volunteering, digital health tools and infrastructure support to improve services in underserved communities, with activities set to run through August 21 under the theme “Expand Equitable Health for Every Community.”

The campaign will support four public health facilities: Kibiito Health Centre IV in Bunyangabu District, Maddu Health Centre IV in Gomba District, Kiyunga Health Centre IV in Luuka District and Karita Health Centre IV in Amudat District. Planned interventions include community health camps, awareness drives, staff training, Electronic Medical Records Information System training for records officers, digital literacy support for Village Health Teams and community health workers, and expanded maternal health information services through a partnership with Zuri Health. MTN also said it will install solar power systems and water tanks, provide equipment and upgrade facilities, including a neonatal intensive care unit at Karita Health Centre IV.

At the Kampala launch, MTN MoMo Uganda Managing Director Phrase Lubega said the programme reflects the company’s approach of pairing technology, partnerships and employee volunteerism to improve access to care. The Minister of State for Health for Primary Health Care, Dr Charles Ayume, welcomed the effort and said private-sector partnerships remain important in closing gaps in maternal and newborn health, especially in rural areas.

Nile Post also noted that Uganda has reduced maternal mortality in recent years, but rates remain above global targets. MTN said it has invested more than Shs7.5 billion in maternal and newborn health programmes over the past decade, reaching more than one million beneficiaries across 36 health facilities in 49 districts.