Health
Rotary starts new service year with nationwide blood donation drive
The blood donation drive drew more than 300 students from London College of St Lawrence and Pride College School in Mpigi, alongside Rotarians and medical teams.
District Governor Daniel Mukasa Ddamulira participates in a blood donation drive as Masaka Corridor Club presidents look on. (Credit: Richard Ategeka)
By: Richard Ategeka, Journalist @New Vision
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Rotary District 9214 has launched its 2026/27 service year with a coordinated blood donation campaign at London College of St Lawrence in Wakiso district to boost hospital supplies.
Wednesday's blood donation drew more than 300 students from London College of St Lawrence and Pride College School in Mpigi, alongside Rotarians and medical teams.
By the end of the exercise over 200 units of blood had been collected, with final totals expected after consolidation from other centres that took part.
(Credit: Richard Ategeka)
(Credit: Richard Ategeka)
District Governor Daniel Mukasa Ddamulira said Rotary deliberately chose blood donation as the first activity of the new Rotary year to reflect its service mission.
“As Rotarians, our duty is towards humanity, and the greatest ingredient of any human being is blood,” he said.
“A single unit of blood can save up to four lives. You may never know who receives it, but you know you have saved lives.”
The campaign is part of Rotary’s target of about 8,000 units of blood across Uganda and Tanzania under the theme “Each One Engage for Impact.”
'No substitute'
Health officials say the drive comes at a critical time when demand for blood remains constant in hospitals, especially for mothers during childbirth, accident victims, and children with severe malaria, cancer patients and sickle cell cases.
Dr Samuel Davis Wante, a senior blood collection expert with Uganda Blood Transfusion Services, said the need for blood never stops despite periodic adequacy in national stocks.
“Every day there is a new need for blood. We have mothers giving birth, accident victims, surgical patients, children with malaria and patients with sickle cell disease. Human blood has no substitute.”
Wante said the timing of the campaign is important because schools, which provide a large share of voluntary donors, are entering examination periods when donations typically drop.
He also dismissed common fears about blood donation.
“People think donating blood makes them weak or reduces their blood permanently. That is not true. We first check if you are medically fit, and the body naturally replaces donated blood.”
'Process is safe'
Sharon Daisy Nampijja, a nurse from Rubaga Hospital who was part of the screening team, said all donors undergo basic medical checks before being allowed to donate.
“We assess age, weight, and general health before donation. If someone does not qualify, they are not allowed to donate. The process is safe and controlled.”
The campaign was conducted simultaneously by Masaka corridor clubs splitting operations between London College of St Lawrence and St Mark’s College Namagoma in Wakiso district.
Sylvia Mayambala, Charter President of Rotary Club (RC) of Kitebi and coordinator of the Masaka Road Corridor clubs, said 11 clubs participated at London College while others operated elsewhere, describing the exercise as a show of unity.
“We wanted to start the year together. When we act as one corridor, it shows strength and inspires young people to serve.”
At London College, headteacher Rose Kintu Galabuzi said the school was selected because of its active Interact Club and strong culture of community service.
“Our students are always willing to serve. Many were already sensitised before today’s exercise, and about 300 students came forward to donate," she said.
'Service above self'
Past District Governor Francisca Ssemwanga praised Rotarians and students for volunteering time and resources to serve others.
“It is Wednesday, a working day, but here we are doing good in the world. Nobody has paid you to be here. You are here because you believe in service above self.”
Rotary Club of Nateete Kampala president Samuel Sempira Mukasa said the campaign responds to continued loss of lives due to lack of blood in emergencies.
“Mothers die during childbirth, and road crash victims lose their lives simply because blood is not available in time,” he said.
“We encourage everyone who is eligible to donate because one donation can save multiple lives.”
Among the donors were students donating for the first time and others returning for repeated donations.
Davian Damulira Katende of Pride College School said he donated blood to help patients living with sickle cell disease.
“My blood will help someone who needs it."
Akram Matovu, donating for the third time, said the motivation is simple. “Tomorrow it could be me, a family member or a friend who needs blood.”
At the conclusion of the exercise, Rotary officials said the campaign marked the beginning of a year-long drive focused on health, disease prevention and community service across the region.
Dr Samuel Davis Wante, a senior blood collection expert with Uganda Blood Transfusion Services, said the need for blood never stops despite periodic adequacy in national stocks.
“Every day there is a new need for blood. We have mothers giving birth, accident victims, surgical patients, children with malaria and patients with sickle cell disease. Human blood has no substitute.”
Wante said the timing of the campaign is important because schools, which provide a large share of voluntary donors, are entering examination periods when donations typically drop.
He also dismissed common fears about blood donation.
“People think donating blood makes them weak or reduces their blood permanently. That is not true. We first check if you are medically fit, and the body naturally replaces donated blood.”
'Process is safe'
Sharon Daisy Nampijja, a nurse from Rubaga Hospital who was part of the screening team, said all donors undergo basic medical checks before being allowed to donate.
“We assess age, weight, and general health before donation. If someone does not qualify, they are not allowed to donate. The process is safe and controlled.”
The campaign was conducted simultaneously by Masaka corridor clubs splitting operations between London College of St Lawrence and St Mark’s College Namagoma in Wakiso district.
Sylvia Mayambala, Charter President of Rotary Club (RC) of Kitebi and coordinator of the Masaka Road Corridor clubs, said 11 clubs participated at London College while others operated elsewhere, describing the exercise as a show of unity.
“We wanted to start the year together. When we act as one corridor, it shows strength and inspires young people to serve.”
At London College, headteacher Rose Kintu Galabuzi said the school was selected because of its active Interact Club and strong culture of community service.
“Our students are always willing to serve. Many were already sensitised before today’s exercise, and about 300 students came forward to donate," she said.
'Service above self'
Past District Governor Francisca Ssemwanga praised Rotarians and students for volunteering time and resources to serve others.
“It is Wednesday, a working day, but here we are doing good in the world. Nobody has paid you to be here. You are here because you believe in service above self.”
Rotary Club of Nateete Kampala president Samuel Sempira Mukasa said the campaign responds to continued loss of lives due to lack of blood in emergencies.
“Mothers die during childbirth, and road crash victims lose their lives simply because blood is not available in time,” he said.
“We encourage everyone who is eligible to donate because one donation can save multiple lives.”
Among the donors were students donating for the first time and others returning for repeated donations.
Davian Damulira Katende of Pride College School said he donated blood to help patients living with sickle cell disease.
“My blood will help someone who needs it."
Akram Matovu, donating for the third time, said the motivation is simple. “Tomorrow it could be me, a family member or a friend who needs blood.”
At the conclusion of the exercise, Rotary officials said the campaign marked the beginning of a year-long drive focused on health, disease prevention and community service across the region.