The Nnabagereka Development Foundation (NDF) has successfully concluded the Ekisaakaate Kya Nnabagereka Gatonnya 2026 at Hormisdallen School, Gayaza Campus, with MTN Mobile Money (U) Limited (MTN MoMo) playing a key partnership role in supporting this year's programme.
Held under the theme "Roots of Resilience: Embracing Obuntubulamu for Mental Wellness," the 2026 Ekisaakaate brought together children and young people from across Uganda for a transformative camp focused on culture, values, emotional wellbeing, leadership, and life skills. The programme remains a flagship initiative of the Buganda Kingdom, implemented through the Nnabagereka Development Foundation, aimed at nurturing holistic and value-driven future leaders.
As a committed partner to the Buganda Kingdom and NDF, MTN MoMo contributed a total of UGX 80 million to the 2026 edition of Ekisaakaate. This support included UGX 15 million announced at the programme launch in August, and an additional UGX 65 million dedicated to activities during the camp.
Beyond financial support, MTN MoMo provided internet connectivity at the host school, enabling smooth digital engagement throughout the programme. The MTN internet bus was also deployed to facilitate coding workshops and digital skilling sessions, exposing the basaakate to practical technology skills relevant to today's digital economy.
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Through partnerships with Burn Radio and Pink Code, MTN MoMo supported structured coding and digital literacy training designed to spark interest in technology-driven careers. These sessions were complemented by mentorship engagements led by the MTN Women@Work team, which focused on confidence-building, emotional resilience, and mental wellness for both girls and boys.
The programme addressed key challenges affecting young people today, including self-worth, emotional balance, bullying, online safety, and responsible digital citizenship. By integrating mental wellness discussions with practical life skills, Ekisaakaate 2026 reinforced Obuntubulamu as a foundation for personal growth and community wellbeing.
MTN MoMo further supported digital learning by providing 20 laptops and 13 mobile phones, alongside branded educational materials and giveaways such as books, mathematical sets, rulers, bottles, and aprons to enhance the participants' learning experience.
Commenting on the partnership, Andrew Adrian Mukiibi, Manager at the Nnabagereka Development Foundation, said MTN MoMo's support significantly strengthened the programme's impact.
"MTN MoMo has greatly enhanced our ability to deliver on this year's Ekisaakaate promise of integrating culture with technology. Participants have had a hands-on experience of envisioning their culture in the digital space," Mukiibi said.
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Stephen Mutana, MTN MoMo's Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, reaffirmed the organization's long-term commitment to the Buganda Kingdom and youth empowerment initiatives.
"The Ekisaakaate Kya Nnabagereka is a powerful platform for shaping resilient, confident, and value-driven young people. As MTN MoMo, we are honoured to partner with the Nnabagereka Development Foundation and the Buganda Kingdom in supporting conversations around mental wellness, culture, and digital empowerment. This partnership reflects our belief in The Power to Be More, and we remain committed to walking this journey with the Kingdom for years to come," Mutana said.
At the closing ceremony, Katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga, emphasized the importance of Obuntubulamu as the foundation of mental and emotional strength. He noted that values such as respect, kindness, discipline, and care help children build resilience from within.
The successful conclusion of Ekisaakaate Kya Nnabagereka Gatonnya 2026 once again highlights the power of strong partnerships between cultural institutions and the private sector in nurturing Uganda's next generation.
