Uganda’s largest Telecom service provider, MTN, has launched a MoMoPay account for its customers to support the Red Cross towards efforts to combat the spread of the corona virus pandemic in the country.
On 31st March 2020, MTN launched a Merchant Code 191919 that customers can use to donate funds to support the cause. Customers can dial *165*3*191919# to donate any amount of their choice.
The Uganda Red Cross is going to use the proceeds from this intervention to support those who are not able to fend for themselves during the lock down period.
“MTN is committed to stand together with Ugandans by doing everything it can to reduce the impact that Covid-19 is having on their lives. We will continue to look at ways of supporting our communities and government, to ensure that together, we do everything feasible to get through this difficult time”, remarked the MTN Uganda CEO, Wim Vanhelleputte
“The Uganda Red Cross appreciates MTN’s gesture and reiterates the society’s commitment to alleviate the human suffering that is increasingly being experienced by communities, especially the most vulnerable people in society” said the Secretary General Uganda Red Cross Society.
In addition to this intervention, MTN has put in place other measures to help Ugandans through. They include;
- Tool-Free numbers (919, 0800203033,0800100066) have been provisioned for the public to call Ministry of Health teams for any assistance related to Covid-19.
- Offline learner’s websites have been setup to keep children engaged during the quarantine period. This means that customers do not need to load data bundles to access the sites available at mtn.co.ug/learnathome
- Customers can send any amount of Mobile Money to other MTN MoMo customers free of charge for 30 days
- A day-time data bundle has been introduced to enable customers work from home. Customers get 1 GB of data at just Ushs 2,000 between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm.
- MTN has availed Ushs 500 million, of which Ushs 297 million has been allocated to the Uganda Red Cross to support communities through sensitization and surveillance, ambulance services, psychological support, case tracing, and handling referrals among others.
- At no data charge, customers can access websites like the Ministry of Health website (health.go.ug), World Health Organization (www.who.int) ,and www.covid19.gou.go.ug to keep informed about the pandemic.
Source: MTN Uganda
