Kololo Rotary Club fundraises over sh15m for Mengo Blood Bank

"It is important that the government develops a culture of active modes of transport, that is, mainly walking and bicycle riding by providing safe and conducive infrastructure," noted Amanda Ngabirano, a Makerere University lecturer for urban planning.

According to Ngabirano, using bicycles is economical compared to using cars and motorcycles; it is also environment-friendly. Bicycles are very space-efficient in terms of road space and parking facilities. For short distances, they are an excellent mode.

No mode complements public transport more than bicycle transport. It is great for tourism too. It is said to be the most silent, healthy and social means of mobility in urban areas.

Ngabirano was giving a speech after being awarded the Vocational Service Excellence Award 2016/17 of the Rotary Club of Kololo at Hotel Africana, last Tuesday. The award was in recognition of Ngabirano's passionate advocacy for equity in transport provision.

The Makerere don particularly advocates for the rights to safe transport infrastructure for Non-Motorised Transport users especially cyclists and pedestrians.

The event which was graced by Emmanuel Katongole, the outgoing district Governor of Uganda and Tanzania also saw the Rotarians fundraise over sh15m for the construction a high-tech blood bank at Mengo Hospital.

Prior to this event, the Kololo Rotarians travelled to Omukabaare, Isingiro District to hand over a heifer project to the community beneficiaries. The project aimed to strengthen nutrition and livelihoods in the community.

At the time of the handover, 50 households had benefitted from the project - each receiving a heifer for zero grazing, a shed for the heifer, a tank for water storage, a pump for pest control, and a bicycle for easier market access. In addition each household received a bio-gas digester and cooker to reduce the need for firewood and health and environmental risks associated with fuel wood usage.

Dr. Rosemary Byanyima , the President of Rotary Club Kololo encouraged the community to take good care of the assets and use them as a foundation to raise the standards of nutrition, and education of the children.  Isingiro is one of the districts that was heavily affected by the current drought culminating into large scale famine.