MTN Uganda Foundation Opens ICT Hub to Boost Digital Skills in Palabek

28 September 2026, 5:15 pm

by otim moses

The MTN Uganda Foundation has handed over an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Hub to Palabek Refugee Settlement in Lamwo District, aimed at expanding access to digital services, technology and skills among young people.
The facility was handed over on Friday, September 25, through the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) and HAF-Uganda as part of the MTN Uganda Foundation’s digital access programme targeting underserved communities.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Francis Gimara, a member of the MTN Uganda Board, said the ICT Hub would provide young people with access to technology and opportunities to develop practical digital skills.
Gimara urged the youth to prioritise education and make effective use of the facility to improve their technical knowledge. He also called on them to take responsibility for protecting and maintaining the equipment.
The facility is equipped with 12 computers, one year of free internet connectivity and a power backup system.
Felix Rubangakene, a representative of HAF-Uganda, said the ICT Hub is the first of its kind in the settlement and will help respond to the growing demand for digital access among young people.
He encouraged members of the refugee community, particularly the youth, to use the facility responsibly and work together to maximise the opportunities it offers.
Rubangakene said the hub would provide a shared space where young people can acquire digital skills, access information and explore opportunities for economic empowerment.
Wilson Mugabe, Deputy Commandant of Palabek Refugee Settlement, urged the youth to protect and properly manage the equipment while using the facility to acquire skills and reduce idleness.
He also encouraged young people to promote peaceful coexistence between refugees and members of the host community.
Representing the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Johnson Ainebyoona committed to monitoring the utilisation of the ICT Hub and working with MTN Uganda to support its effective operation.
Palabek Refugee Settlement, located in Palabek Ogili Sub-county, Lamwo District, currently hosts more than 35,000 young people, according to officials who attended the handover ceremony.