Fr Kiibi says true greatness lies in legacy that transforms lives

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 ROTARY IN UGANDA 

There was no shortage of laughter at Las Vegas Hotel in Bunga, Kampala on Saturday evening, but beneath the humour lay a profound challenge: ‘Don't merely grow old; grow meaningfully’.

That was the message from Rev. Fr. Deogratius Kiibi Kateregga, the parish priest of St Joseph's Mpigi Catholic Parish, as he addressed guests at the installation dinner of Centenary Bank's Beatrice Lugalambi as the new president of the Rotary Club of Muyenga for the 2026/2027 Rotary year.

With the confidence of a seasoned preacher and the timing of a stand-up comedian, Kiibi kept the audience alternating between hearty laughter and thoughtful silence as he challenged Rotarians and Ugandans alike to pursue lives defined by service rather than status.

"Each and every one can be great because greatness is determined by service," he said, also observing that while many people spend decades chasing titles, wealth or recognition, true greatness lies in leaving behind a legacy that transforms lives.

"I normally encourage people to be outstanding in so many fields. We still need more Ugandans who are outstanding in service."

Kiibi then turned to an amusing but pointed illustration from his own parish.

"I have a parish, but I normally see some of my parishioners who are like spies in the parish. Somebody has been there for years and years, and nobody knows them," he quipped.

But the humour quickly gave way to reflection as he reached for one of the Bible's oldest characters to reinforce his point.

"In the Bible, there is a man called Methuselah. He lived for 969 years, and out of all the books in the Bible, nothing is mentioned about him apart from living long."

The remarks resonated with Rotarians, whose guiding principle, ‘Service Above Self’, mirrors the priest's call to purposeful living.

As the evening drew on, Kiibi reminded guests that time itself is one of life's greatest gifts and should never be squandered.

"Every day, we are given 11,000 litres of air in our lungs free of charge. Every day you have 24 hours, 1,440 minutes and 86,400 seconds. We must put them to good use. By the time we die, we should have lived; not just existed like items."

Meanwhile, the outgoing district governor of District 9214, Christine Kyeyune Kawooya (pictured below), took to the podium to salute the Rotary Club of Muyenga for what she described as an exceptional year of performance under outgoing president Alex Mugume Bwomezi.

With only three days left before handing over the district's top leadership office, Kawooya described the installation ceremony as both a farewell and a fresh beginning.

"Only three days are left when I still wear this chain. Come June 30, it will pass on to Governor Daniel [incoming district governor Daniel Damulira]," she said.

Calling the occasion "a moment of gratitude, a moment of celebration and leadership renewal," Kwooya praised Mugume for steering the club to outstanding achievements in membership growth, community service and Rotary Foundation giving.

"We are here to thank the outgoing leadership. The club has achieved in all areas, and it is one of those clubs where all the boxes have been ticked with 100%. I cannot ask for anything more."

Kawooya revealed that Muyenga had become one of the district's strongest-performing clubs, establishing three new Rotary clubs, helping recruit 284 new members and inducting eight new members into its own ranks.

"You have delivered in terms of membership. Thank you so much for supporting the growth in Rotary, supporting the extension and bringing more hands to serve."

She reminded members that beyond statistics and completed projects, Rotary's greatest achievement lies in the sacrifices made by volunteers who leave their families to serve others.

"As this year comes to a close, we do not only count the activities that we have done, but we remember the effort, the sacrifices, the friendships and the service behind every one of you," she said.

Kawooya challenged the incoming leadership under Lugalambi to sustain the momentum.

"Rotary Club of Muyenga is not just a club that waits for things to happen, they go out and make things happen," she said.