Uganda: MTN Expands Maternal, Newborn Health Support in Luuka

What the report says

MTN Uganda has expanded its maternal and newborn health support at Kiyunga Health Centre IV in Luuka District, eastern Uganda, as part of its annual 21 Days of Y'ello Care campaign. According to The Independent, the effort is aimed at improving care through a mix of facility upgrades, digital tools and community outreach under the theme “Expand Equitable Health for Every Community.”

The support package included medical equipment and supplies, beds, smartphones, bicycles and ICT equipment, along with improvements to solar power and water systems. Staff at the health centre were also trained to use an electronic medical records system, while village health teams and community health workers received digital literacy training. MTN additionally organized a health camp at the site, offering screening, registration and health education, and its mobile money teams introduced residents to financial services and insurance products.

Kiyunga Health Centre IV serves more than 42,000 people from Luuka and nearby districts, making it a key referral point in the area. Luuka District Health Officer R. Christopher Wandira said the upgrades should strengthen operations and help health workers deliver better services for mothers and newborns. MTN Uganda chief executive Sylvia Mulinge said the company wants connectivity and technology to have practical value in everyday healthcare.

The report said Kiyunga is one of four facilities benefiting from MTN’s 2026 campaign, with total support valued at about Shs600 million. The company says it has invested more than Shs7.5 billion in maternal and newborn health programmes over the years. The story also places the effort in a wider public health context, noting that Uganda has made progress on maternal survival but still remains above global SDG targets for maternal and neonatal mortality.