By: Kanto
Kai Okanta
MTN Uganda’s Mobile Money
service (MoMo), in partnership with EBus Xpress Kiira Ltd and HelloBooth -
Location Photobooth by Sparklab, has launched a new cashless school transport
initiative aimed at improving safety, convenience, and efficiency for students
and parents.
The initiative, dubbed
Cashless School Days, was officially introduced at Kololo Secondary School and
brings together stakeholders from government, mobility, payments, and
technology sectors to promote digital solutions for everyday challenges in
student transportation.
The programme introduces
smart wristbands that enable students to access school transport without the
need for cash. The system allows students to simply tap their wristbands when
boarding and alighting buses, creating a seamless and traceable transport experience.
Parents are able to load
transport fares conveniently through MTN MoMo using the USSD code 27180*5#,
with flexible payment options including daily, weekly, monthly, and term-based
plans. The system also provides real-time notifications to parents, confirming
each completed trip and improving transparency in school commuting.
Speaking at the launch, MTN
Uganda’s Key Account Manager for Corporate Sales, John Isabirye, noted that the
initiative is designed to support families by simplifying payment processes and
improving oversight of student mobility.
To encourage adoption, the
programme includes a 50 percent fare discount for students. Under the scheme, a
trip previously costing UGX 2,000 is now reduced to UGX 1,000, making school
transport more affordable while promoting digital payment adoption.
Organisers say the
initiative builds on existing usage of MTN MoMo for services such as school fee
payments, extending digital financial convenience into daily transport
management.
