MTN Uganda has donated a Water Ambulance to the Kiyindi Landing site community in a bid to improve emergency response amidst the current health crises caused by Covid-19.
The 52 Million -15-Seater state-of-the-art water vessel will be used to respond to patient referrals and other emergencies between Buikwe and Buvuma districts.
The donation of the emergency boat follows a request from the fishing community last year when MTN Uganda staff visited Kiyindi landing site to launch their annual staff voluntary program dubbed “21 days of y’ello care”.
The activities carried out that day included refurbishment of the Makonge health center, donation of four full sets of computers with internet connectivity and community cleaning.
On the same day, the residents requested the Telecom giant to support to enhance water safety and emergency response. To that effect, MTN Uganda donated 100 life jackets and pledged a 15-seater water rescue boat.
The boat was handed over to Ms Jane Frances Kagaia, the Resident District Commissioner of Buikwe who will entrust it with the District Health Officer to oversee its usage.
She thanked MTN Uganda for heeding to the request of the people of Buvuma and the surrounding areas.
“I thank MTN Uganda for giving us this emergency rescue boat. Here travelling by water is almost inevitable and like all forms of transport, we encounter situations that require the services of an emergency rescue or response boat.
“This will ensure water transport safety for our residents and visitors as they travel between the mainland and the islands,” Kagaia said.
MTN Uganda last year donated 100 life jackets and commissioned a 24 hour rescue communication line in Kiyindi to respond to the soaring numbers of water transport emergencies in Buikwe and Buvuma districts.
Last year still, MTN donated 550 customized solar kits to 9 schools and 3 health centers in Buvuma under its “Light up a Village” project in order to boost education and health services in the off-grid Island.