MTN Uganda Dresses Jinja City in Yellow: New Cog-Wheel Roundabout and Fountain Refurb to Celebrate Connection and Progress
Jinja, Uganda.
MTN Uganda this week turned heads in Jinja City with the unveiling of a bold, brand-stamped civic installation at the Amber Court roundabout and the ceremonial ground-breaking for the refurbishment of the city fountain at the Mayor’s Gardens. The twin projects — a towering cog-wheel themed roundabout finished in MTN’s signature yellow and a planned revival of the historic fountain — were presented as symbols of partnership, industrial heritage and the telecom operator’s pledge to invest in public spaces.
A landmark that nods to Jinja’s industrial past
The new roundabout is dominated by a sculptural arrangement of interlocking cog wheels — an intentional nod to Jinja’s history as Uganda’s industrial hub — with the largest gear housing a circular digital display. At the launch the structure was dressed in yellow-and-black bunting and balloons, and large letters that spell out “JINJA CITY” form a foreground welcome for drivers and pedestrians. MTN described the installation as a “symbol of movement, connection, and progress.”
CEO: beautification is part of MTN’s ESG plan
Speaking at the event, MTN Uganda CEO Sylvia Mulinge positioned the projects within the company’s Environmental, Social and Governance agenda, Ambition 2025, saying the initiative was an expression of gratitude to customers and a concrete way to support urban renewal. MTN’s social platforms — including their X/Threads posts — amplified the message, sharing images and short clips from the ceremony.
Public-private partnership and local contractors
MTN credited local contractor Kards Investment for executing the work and emphasized that the projects were the product of public-private collaboration with the Jinja City administration. Jinja Mayor Peter Alton Kasolo welcomed the investment, noting that the refurbished fountain and the roundabout would enhance civic pride and help beautify the municipal centre for residents and visitors alike.
What the projects include and where they sit
Amber Court roundabout (main installation): A sculptural cluster of cog wheels, one with an LED/digital panel, set within landscaped planting and framed by the “JINJA CITY” lettering. The design balances visual impact with traffic management at a busy junction.
Mayor’s Gardens fountain (refurbishment): MTN broke ground on plans to restore and modernize the existing fountain, a civic feature that the company said will be upgraded to improve aesthetics and safety while preserving its role as a public gathering point.
Community voices and cultural notes
Local officials and community leaders at the unveiling framed the gesture as more than corporate branding. Jinja Resident City Commissioner Richard Gulume praised the beautification and urged continued upkeep, calling Jinja “the sitting room of Busoga.” Representatives of the Busoga Kingdom suggested future additions — including heritage motifs or statues — that could better reflect local history alongside the industrial symbolism.
A wider strategy: Ambition 2025 and civic impact
The Jinja work feeds into MTN’s broader narrative of aligning commercial investments with social impact under Ambition 2025. Observers say such visible projects help raise the company’s profile in regions outside Kampala while delivering tangible upgrades to urban infrastructure. Telecom and city planners, however, often caution that long-term success depends on routine maintenance, clear municipal ownership of public assets, and inclusive community input as refurbishments move from ribbon-cutting to everyday life.
The optics — and the questions
The roundabout has already produced lively visuals for social feeds and local press. Night photos show the installation illuminated and the LED screen active, making it an instant landmark for visitors and commuters. At the same time, local watchdogs and civic groups say they will monitor guarantees concerning maintenance budgets, traffic safety adjustments, and the degree to which the project will deliver measurable benefits to local residents beyond the symbolic value.
What comes next
MTN says the fountain refurbishment work will progress in phases and that it will continue to work with Jinja City officials to ensure completion and handover. The company’s communications team has pledged further community engagements and updates on timelines and activities as the project moves from groundbreaking to finished public amenity.
