Summary:
- MTN Uganda is actively engaged in promoting diversity and inclusion by celebrating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, implementing a deliberate strategy to hire individuals with disabilities, and fostering a workplace culture of acceptance and support. The company aims to set an example for the business community by prioritizing inclusivity in its workforce.
Kampala, Uganda | THE BLACK EXAMINER | On December 3, 2023, MTN Uganda will join the global community in observing the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), underscoring the essential imperative to safeguard the rights of individuals with disabilities.
This day serves as a pivotal moment to highlight the rights of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and address the barriers impeding their full participation in the nation’s development.
Dorcus Muhwezi, the General Manager of Customer Experience at MTN Uganda, notes the company’s numerous achievements in promoting the rights and well-being of Persons with Disabilities. She emphasizes that, in line with the ambitious goals outlined in “Ambition 2025,” MTN Uganda has embedded Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) at the core of its strategic initiatives.
Within the ESG framework, a key focus is on fostering diversity and inclusiveness. MTN Uganda has recently embarked on a transformative journey to enhance its workforce by actively seeking to employ individuals with disabilities.
Muhwezi reveals that, through a comprehensive workforce review, MTN Uganda identified a gap in the representation of people with disabilities. Consequently, the company implemented a deliberate strategy during the recruitment process for its customer service workforce, resulting in the successful hiring of five individuals with disabilities—John, Evelyn, Kenneth, Maureen, and Sam—who have seamlessly integrated into the call center.
“The inclusive and friendly environment at MTN Uganda, coupled with the support from colleagues, has fostered a workplace where individuals with disabilities are not only accepted but actively assisted when needed,” Muhwezi told The Black Examiner.
While MTN Uganda initially designed its premises with accessibility in mind, the hiring initiative prompted a thorough reassessment, leading to further adjustments to ensure the workplace is optimally accommodating.
Muhwezi underscores MTN Uganda’s commitment to diversity beyond the recruitment phase, highlighting the encouragement of internal mobility and exploration of opportunities across various divisions. The company actively encourages persons with disabilities to apply for all available positions, fostering a workplace culture marked by acts of kindness, encouragement, and genuine acceptance.
Looking ahead, Muhwezi affirms MTN Uganda’s intention to build on this success by intentionally hiring more individuals with disabilities, aligning actions with the core belief that everyone deserves the benefits of a modern, connected world.
Through this commitment to diversity and inclusion, MTN Uganda strives to set an example for the business community, cultivating a workplace that mirrors its values and aspires to a better, more inclusive future.
