KABALE – As part of their corporate social responsibility, Airtel Uganda has on Thursday, August 15, 2019, extended its free 4G internet connectivity to Kabale public library at the Southern division offices in Kabale municipality.
Kabale public library becomes the fourth public library in Uganda to be freely connected to Airtel’s internet after Mbale, Jinja and Lira districts whereas Kabarole and Masindi districts will follow thereafter.
Launching the connectivity during the function held at Southern division offices in Kabale municipality, Airtel Uganda’s Managing Director, M.D.V.G Somasekhar said that they decided to connect six Uganda public libraries to free internet as part of their initiative to give back to the public who support them.
Mr. Somasekhar said that the decision to extend internet to libraries is to scaleup Information and Communications Technology- ICT in education and promote the reading culture of Ugandans through internet.
Somasekhar appealed to people who will be using the library to ensure that they use it to improve themselves in knowledge acquisition.
“With this new technology, Airtel is now offering subscribers around the country the fastest available speeds as well as an improved experience in internet-based activities such as video conferencing, mobile web access, amongst others” Somasekhar said.
He added that investment will further enable digital inclusion in Uganda and they want to enroll internet to the village level.
He also said that they want to promote local football in Uganda with immense sponsorships for the Uganda Cranes, Airtel Rising Stars (U-17 boys and girls) and the already established Airtel Masaza Football tournament and this is done with the aim developing the talents of youth.
“We remain committed to the development of Ugandan football right from the grassroots community level all the way to the international scene by donating balls, Jerseys, goal posts among others,” Somasekhar added.
Speaking as the guest of honor, the Kabale municipality deputy mayor Kedress Mutabazi commended Airtel Company for their support that they have rendered to Ugandans.
“Peope have obtained cars and money from Airtel Company” Mrs Mutabazi said.
Mrs Mutabazi appealed to the public to work hard to protect peace the in the country since it our key responsibility to provide a conducive environment and good policies for our investors who in turn give back to their communities.
Mrs Mutabazi appealed to the public especially learners to ensure that they do not misuse the internet by searching childish things such as pornography among others which can influence them to join bad groups but use it for research to improve on performance in their schools.
“We should now work harder to keep this library vibrant so that those who are not yet born can benefit from it in future” Mrs. Mutabazi said.
The in-charge of the library who at the same time doubles as the Central Division Assistant Town Clerk Alex Beingana told our reporter that the public had lost interest in visiting the library due to lack of internet but since Airtel Uganda has come to the rescue, learners and other users of the library should make sure that they use the internet to improve their social lives.
Philip Nyonzima, an information technology student at Kabale University said that he was glad to see that Airtel is launching a free internet at the division library.
He said that it was very hard for them as students to have internet on their phones and added that since the world is evolving especially using internet, we want to commend Airtel Uganda.
