Green Sheikh to visit Jinja city as Rotarians plant 5,000 trees

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Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Nuaimi, widely known as the "Green Sheikh," is set to visit Jinja City in April 2025 as part of a groundbreaking event organized by Rotary District 9213.

The highlight of this event will be the planting of at least 5,000 trees in support of environmental sustainability.

The Green Sheikh, a passionate environmental advocate and a member of the royal family of Ajman in the United Arab Emirates, has dedicated his life to raising awareness about sustainability and environmental conservation.

His visit is part of Rotary District 9213’s ongoing efforts to promote environmental awareness in Uganda.

Henry Rugamba, the chairperson of the conference organizing committee, stated that the Sheikh’s participation is a crucial part of their mission to further environmental consciousness in the country.

“The Green Sheikh's presence at this event will be a powerful message about the importance of environmental stewardship,” Rugamba said. The committee addressed the media on Thursday 3 April 2025 at the Sheraton Hotel, Kampala about the conference.

The event is set to take place from April 9 to April 12, 2025, at the Civil Service College in Jinja City. District 9213 encompasses Rotary Clubs across Uganda, including those in Kampala, the Central Region, the North Western, Northern, and Eastern parts of the country.

The four-day District Conference (DISCON 100) will bring together Rotarians, partners, and stakeholders from Uganda and beyond to celebrate the centenary of Rotary’s impact in Uganda and to reaffirm its commitment to community service and development.

Rugamba emphasized the significance of this year’s district conference, underscoring the critical role of sponsorship in ensuring its success.

“DISCON 100 is a historic milestone for Rotary Uganda. With the support of our sponsors, we aim to create an event that not only celebrates the best of Rotary but also highlights its substantial contributions to Uganda over the past century,” Rugamba said.

A diverse lineup of speakers has been confirmed for the event, including Dr. Sabrina Bakeera-Kitaka, who will speak on adolescence, Dr. Joyce Nalugya, who will address mental health issues, and Francis Kamulegeya, a retired accountant, who will discuss retirement and wellness.

Seventeen organizations have committed to sponsoring DISCON 100, including major entities such as Centenary Bank, Uganda Breweries Ltd, NCBA Bank, Fireworks Advertising, Uganda Electricity Generation Company Ltd, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Others are; Parliament of Uganda, Kiira Motors, Uganda Airlines, Quality Chemicals, Liberty Insurance, Roke Telecom, PSALMS Food Industries-SUMZ, Bank of Uganda, Vaal Real Estates, Rosefoam, Krystal Water.

District Governor Anne Nkutu expressed deep gratitude toward the sponsors for their generous contributions.

“We are immensely thankful to our sponsors for making DISCON 100 possible. Their support underscores the power of collaboration in driving sustainable change,” Nkutu said.

“This conference is not just a gathering of Rotarians; it’s a celebration of leadership, service, and the spirit of giving back to society.”

As part of the event, Rotary District 9213 will organize a series of health camps across the districts of Jinja, Kamuli, and Iganga, offering essential medical services to local communities.

The objectives of DISCON 100 are multi-faceted: Celebrating Rotary’s Impact: Showcasing the district's achievements in community service, leadership development, and humanitarian projects.

Promoting Community Engagement: Engaging local communities through health camps and service initiatives.

Enhancing Networking: Fostering collaboration between Rotarians, business leaders, and other stakeholders.

Empowering Entrepreneurs: Creating opportunities for entrepreneurs through the House of Friendship.

Inspiring Leadership: Encouraging members to take on leadership roles and engage in sustainable community initiatives.

This conference will be an opportunity to reflect on Rotary’s rich legacy in Uganda while inspiring future generations of leaders committed to service and sustainable development.