Business
Faith leaders welcome new MTN MoMo giving platform
Religious leaders said the initiative is likely to resolve long standing challenges around accountability and tracking of funds.
MTN MoMo MD Phrase Lubega. (Courtesy)
By: Ali Twaha, Journalist @New Vision
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MTN Mobile Money (MoMo) has rolled out a faith based digital giving campaign designed to make contributions to churches, mosques and other religious institutions more transparent and easier to manage.
Religious leaders said the initiative is likely to resolve long standing challenges around accountability and tracking of funds. The solution introduces a dedicated giving menu that allows worshippers to select their institution and specify the purpose of their contribution, whether tithe, offertory, zakat, sadaqah, thanksgiving, donation, fundraising or project support, before completing a transaction.
"Previously, we faced challenges with the existing MoMo payment methods, particularly where transaction thresholds made it difficult for people to contribute smaller amounts. This new solution addresses that challenge. It is reliable and promotes greater transparency in the giving process. Importantly, it can also help reduce temptation by ensuring that contributions are properly accounted for,” Idi Kasozi, an Imam at Masjid Mawanga and a lecturer at the Islamic University in Uganda, said.
The option was developed after faith based institutions asked for a more tailored alternative to the general giving platform they had been using.
"It was difficult to clearly distinguish between different types of contributions, such as offertory and tithe. We appreciate the introduction of these categories because they will make it easier for institutions to track and account for the different forms of giving. We thank MTN MoMo for this initiative and look forward to working together,” Sylvia Namata, Chief Finance Officer at Phaneroo Ministries International, said.
Uganda has more than 5,000 faith based institutions. Of these, according to MTN, 372 have registered accounts with the telecom firm. As at end of July this year, collections to these accounts topped about sh3.64b during the month.
The option was developed after faith based institutions asked for a more tailored alternative to the general giving platform they had been using.
"It was difficult to clearly distinguish between different types of contributions, such as offertory and tithe. We appreciate the introduction of these categories because they will make it easier for institutions to track and account for the different forms of giving. We thank MTN MoMo for this initiative and look forward to working together,” Sylvia Namata, Chief Finance Officer at Phaneroo Ministries International, said.
Uganda has more than 5,000 faith based institutions. Of these, according to MTN, 372 have registered accounts with the telecom firm. As at end of July this year, collections to these accounts topped about sh3.64b during the month.
Fiona Nantume, an accountant at Namirembe Cathedral, said: “When someone made a contribution, we often had to call them to find out exactly what the money was intended for, whether it was tithe, offertory or another form of giving. With the new itemised menu, that information is captured at the point of giving, making it much easier for us to identify, track and account for each contribution. It is a simple but very helpful solution."
Phrase Lubega, managing director, MTN MoMo said the campaign was a response to the changing needs of faith communities rather than simply a new payment option.
“We are not simply introducing a new payment option. We are responding to the changing needs of faith communities and making it easier for people to support the institutions and causes that matter to them. The new Faith Based Menu was developed following feedback from institutions that wanted a more customised giving journey and greater clarity around the contributions they receive," Lubega said.
"Through this menu, a worshipper can select an institution and identify what they are giving towards before completing the contribution. This brings greater convenience to the worshipper while giving institutions better tools to track and manage collections. At the centre of this is trust, because effective financial stewardship is essential to maintaining the confidence of congregants.”
Phrase Lubega, managing director, MTN MoMo said the campaign was a response to the changing needs of faith communities rather than simply a new payment option.
“We are not simply introducing a new payment option. We are responding to the changing needs of faith communities and making it easier for people to support the institutions and causes that matter to them. The new Faith Based Menu was developed following feedback from institutions that wanted a more customised giving journey and greater clarity around the contributions they receive," Lubega said.
"Through this menu, a worshipper can select an institution and identify what they are giving towards before completing the contribution. This brings greater convenience to the worshipper while giving institutions better tools to track and manage collections. At the centre of this is trust, because effective financial stewardship is essential to maintaining the confidence of congregants.”